The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Jb (Atlanta,ga) on 11/19/2013
★★★★☆
Greetings, one of my canine companions has Megaesophagus which I am managing naturally but, would like to hear from other people that has a pet with this malady.
I feed a raw diet, elevate the food, avoid activity after eating, serve smaller meals multiple times a day. Encourage my pet to sit for a while after eating. Recently, I have been adding homemade fermented cabbage (Sauerkraut) & this appears to help.
I will not use any Rx drugs, they have a history of bad side effects.
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Katherine Chapman (Markdale, Ontario CA) on 02/04/2015
Joan, if you are still looking for plans for building a Bailey Chair, just google Bailey Chair plans, the ISSUU Construct a Bailey Chair by For Paws Hospice site has plans .There's also a Utube video on building one and there's also a site to buy plans for $6.00.. My friend made one for his German Shepherd, the main thing is to measure your dog to make sure it's the right size..One of my dogs has it now so I'm needing one too!
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Catalina (Marina Del Rey) on 05/10/2015
I'm a little confused about the magnesium. With mega esophagus the peristalsis muscles are sort of atrophied so why would I want to relax the muscles? Wouldn't I want to tighten them so the food does not collect and then get regurgitated? I understand the benefits of magnesium in general but in regards to this condition, I'm a bit confused. Anybody?
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Colleen (San Jose Ca) on 07/04/2015
Hi ALL,
I have a Chihuahua and Jack Russell Terrier Mix who turned one in April. Her name is Nibbles. She was healthy and had her rabies and Bordetella vaccination. About 6-days later she began to cough and thought due to the outside temperatures (extreme heat 105, next day 75) it was causing her to cough or possible allergies. On the 8th day after her vaccinations it was HORRIBLE. I took her into the vet and they said she has Kennel Cough. I had no idea what Bordetella vaccine was, I looked it up and sure enough it is for Kennel Cough. I immediately called the vet and they placed her on cough suppressants and doxycline antibiotics. She seemed to improve but out of the blue she began to pant excessively and cough uncontrollably. Took her immediately to the vet and had x-rays etc. done. Again, another dose of antibiotics and more cough suppressants. I received a call this morning that the radiologist read her x-rays and they are certain that she does not have kennel cough (that this aggravated) but that she has Megaesophagus. That I need to bring her in and do a series of blood work etc. as this is an underlying condition that could lead to Addison's Disease (Cushings) or worse, Myasthenia gravis. My husband is a respiratory therapist and he said we need to just let her live her life and try to do things naturally. Instead of forking over THOUSANDS of dollars for a "what if" instead of a "cure" we are not going to waste our money on nonsense. When I mentioned I wanted to call my insurance company and add get her on Pet Insurance, the vet said "due to it being a NOW pre-existing condition, no one will cover her! " So as I am reading this I am realizing that my dog, who is not only our baby girl but our companion is NOT gravely ill and will die without all these EXPENSIVE tests... and can have not only eat upright, smaller meals, hand feed her etc. I will do what it takes to make her comfortable and healthy. She started with these symptoms a month ago tomorrow 7/4/15. I know it is early, but I am so thankful for you all giving me inspiration on keeping our "lil angel" healthy and happy. That she can with time, be the playful lil one she was before all this took place.
I will pick up some magnesium glycinate tabs, as well as the tea that is mentioned.
Thank you so much and if anyone has any other helpful ideas of a homeopathic way of dealing with ME I would, my husband, and of course Nibbles would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you!!!!
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Rob (Utica Ny) on 08/16/2015
It was the same with my dog. Just several months shy of his 10th birthday started with the same symptoms of coughing/hacking and vomiting piles of foamy liquid phlegm. After several weeks and some antibiotics the cough seemed to clear up but vomiting persist. Finally diagnosed with ME. Several months later. After testing different texture of foods/ removing fluids and meds. As well as using a bailey chair He is vomiting/regurging everyday. I do not know what else to try now. Magnesium if you have tried, does it work? I am wondering, and now thinking back over the years he has always had an off stomach, where sometimes he just would not eat during his morning feeding. His stomach would be gurgling and whatnot. But after it cleared up he would eat and be fine, and also though not often, occasionally over the years, and more recently several times frequently before his diagnosis he would regurge all his food. I never thought anything about it. My thinking is now is that it is something else causing the vomiting/regurging after eating, more related to his stomach. He is down over 20 pounds since May 2015 when diagnosed. Vomiting/regurging usually hours after feeding, though sometimes sooner. I am going to take him in and see if there is more going on. When they did tests and xrays they did not do lower.
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Jb (Atlanta) on 09/14/2015
For some of you having a dog that suddenly coughs/hacks after given vaccinations, it could be reaction to Rabies Vac. It can cause partial paralysis of esophagus. I had a Dach's that face swelled up after vacs, stopped them all. Rabies vaccinations can cause a lot of problems.
For my dogs, I have found another helpful tip beyond what I posted above.. If my Girl shows symptoms of difficulty I gently massage trachea, all the way down to breast bone. Seems to help move food along.
For the one lady that asked about the Slippery Elm, I keep adding & dissolving in warm h2o until it is slightly thickened. I store it in the refrigerator & warm it a bit to use.
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Deborah (Feeney) on 09/26/2015
What role does magnesium glycinate tab play in panting episodes after a dog eats in megaesophagus? Why does a dog pant and seem uncomfortable after eating?
Debbie
Buffalo, New york
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Jeri (Ct) on 10/07/2015
What dose and frequency of Nux Vomica would be advised for a 76 lb. Boxer? Thank you.
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Rebecca (Sc) on 01/17/2017
I want to start using slippery elm for my girl Saint. We are in a rough patch with regurge happening after most meals and I feel like I just need to calm her insides down. We used to use a shot of Cerenia when we hit a bad patch, but I'd like to use something less intense and more natural. My question is - Is the tea the best way to use it? She can't handle water - I have to add Thick It to get it to stay down, so a tea probably isn't going to work for Saint. Instead, could I crush/open up a capsule and mix the powder into her food?
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Rebecca (Sc) on 01/17/2017
Would you mind sharing what sort of raw food you include in the smoothie? I'd like to try to transition from the wet food and Ensure diet we are using for Saint onto a more raw/natural diet but I don't know where to start.
Raw Diet, Elevating Food, Sauerkraut
Posted by Maggie (Idaho) on 11/09/2017
Would you mind sharing your recipe for the homemade toothpaste for your dog? Thank you.
