Thread: New puppy worries

Here is the latest. Barium fluoroscopy indicated that the food is processing normally through the esophagus. However, the valve / sphincter that should close the stomach off from the esophagus is not doing its job. Whether that is a congenital defect or a developmental issue is not clear at this time. He is staying at VT to be on injectable medication to try and prevent the acid reflux irritation from getting any worse in the esophagus. Dr. said he would give it a week on the meds and re-assess at that time. So... he will be in ICU for a couple days. I am hoping and praying that it is the latter of the two I mentioned above, and with the right support and meds he will be able to overcome this. He certainly is a spunky little guy. Thanks for all of your kind words and prayers.

Originally Posted by winginit66

Here is the latest. Barium fluoroscopy indicated that the food is processing normally through the esophagus. However, the valve / sphincter that should close the stomach off from the esophagus is not doing its job. Whether that is a congenital defect or a developmental issue is not clear at this time. He is staying at VT to be on injectable medication to try and prevent the acid reflux irritation from getting any worse in the esophagus. Dr. said he would give it a week on the meds and re-assess at that time. So... he will be in ICU for a couple days. I am hoping and praying that it is the latter of the two I mentioned above, and with the right support and meds he will be able to overcome this. He certainly is a spunky little guy. Thanks for all of your kind words and prayers.

Continued prayers for you sweet little boy.... Please keep us posted

Hi all, VA Tech has called twice. Wilson is doing OK. No more issues with the regurgitation past what he was trying to process after all of the barium. He did eat last night, kept it down and has had a normal poop. He is apparently the current doll of the ICU... This is my first experience with the Veterinary Hospital at VA Tech. Can't say enough good things about them! At any rate, Mike and I are cautiously optimistic at this point... Olivia is missing her brother. One of her ears is starting to come up! That is really cool to see. Some good mixed in with the bad... I'm feeling a little loopy as I think the most consecutive hours of sleep I have had since last Friday is 4, and that was Monday night.

I'm so glad to hear good news about Wilson. I'm sure he is getting lots of attention at VA Tech. And Olivia has an ear popping up! She's right on schedule! We're sending positive thoughts!

Originally Posted by winginit66

Hi all,

We picked up the bother/sister on Saturday, who are 7 weeks old. Olivia is a tank, no issues eating, pooping, etc. Wilson was the runt, and I have noticed the following. He seems to aspirate water when drinking, and his food is also coming back out his nose and smells really strong / acidic. I am wondering if it is possibly reflux issue, or the fact that he is just not developed fully yet. I will be calling the vet first thing in the AM. Also worried about taking him in with only 1 vaccination series in him. He is alert, active and is eating well, just has things I am not familiar with afterwards - with or without activity. He spews stuff out of his nose and then opens his mouth like a fish out of water.

Will keep all updated, but if anyone has any words of wisdom in the meantime I will probably sleep better.

Anne

I just posted this for someone else. http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/...x#.Us2Y8bQuQng. Here's what the basic article says, use the link to read more:Gastroesophageal Reflux in Dogs



Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition characterized by the uncontrollable reverse flow of gastric or intestinal fluids into the tube connecting the throat and the stomach (esophagus). This may be due to a brief relaxation of the muscular opening at the base of the esophagus (referred to as the sphincter), as well as chronic vomiting. Gastroesophageal reflux is fairly common in dogs, and may occur at any age, although younger dogs are at greater risk.



The gastric stomach acid, pepsin, bile salts, and other components of the gastrointestinal juices cause damage to the protective mucus lining the esophagus. This can result in inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).



The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Originally Posted by winginit66

Here is the latest. Barium fluoroscopy indicated that the food is processing normally through the esophagus. However, the valve / sphincter that should close the stomach off from the esophagus is not doing its job. Whether that is a congenital defect or a developmental issue is not clear at this time. He is staying at VT to be on injectable medication to try and prevent the acid reflux irritation from getting any worse in the esophagus. Dr. said he would give it a week on the meds and re-assess at that time. So... he will be in ICU for a couple days. I am hoping and praying that it is the latter of the two I mentioned above, and with the right support and meds he will be able to overcome this. He certainly is a spunky little guy. Thanks for all of your kind words and prayers.

Yeah, works the same way in children. It's more common in male children and most babies outgrow it as they start to crawl and walk which strengthens the muscles in the stomach. I didn't see this update until after I posted the link to the PetMD article. PS: Tug O War is excellent for building total body strength.

Originally Posted by Kris Thomas LaBounty

I just posted this for someone else. http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/...x#.Us2Y8bQuQng. Here's what the basic article says, use the link to read more:Gastroesophageal Reflux in Dogs



Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition characterized by the uncontrollable reverse flow of gastric or intestinal fluids into the tube connecting the throat and the stomach (esophagus). This may be due to a brief relaxation of the muscular opening at the base of the esophagus (referred to as the sphincter), as well as chronic vomiting. Gastroesophageal reflux is fairly common in dogs, and may occur at any age, although younger dogs are at greater risk.



The gastric stomach acid, pepsin, bile salts, and other components of the gastrointestinal juices cause damage to the protective mucus lining the esophagus. This can result in inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).



The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Thanks Kris! I've been doing quite a bit of reading myself... sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes it can just freak you out even more!!! I am anxiously awaiting our 7PM update tonight. I just hope, hope, hope this is something he can grow out of. I may be fooling myself there, but have to hope.

Anne