8/28/03- We are sorry to say after a valiant fight Odie lost his battle with megaespohagus. He will be greatly missed by his foster mom and all of OBG, he was a special boy that we were lucky to have the honor of loving
Page last updated on Saturday, March 31, 2007 .
| Gender | Male | |
| Age | 6 years | |
| Color | Buff | |
| Temperament | Quiet | |
| Shelter, Giveup or Foster | in Foster care | |
| Other | Neutered, current on shots, heartworm negative, see below | |
| Location | DC Metro Area | |
Odie came into rescue because his family came on hard times and could not afford
his medical issues. He is a delightful little guy, adopted from the shelter as a
pup over five years ago and was very much loved by his family.
Recently Odie began throwing up everything he ate. His weight dropped to 19lbs,
(it should be closer to 25lbs). His body couldn't get the nourishment it needed,
and he was slowly starving. He had pneumonia, most likely a side
effect of the vomiting.
Rescue did the diagnostic test that Odie's family couldn't afford. It told us
what is wrong with him. Odie has megaesophagus -- an enlarged esophagus with
scarring at the stomach opening. With megaesophagus, the food goes down the
tube from his throat to his stomach, but can't properly enter it. It backs up in
his esophagus and is eventually regurgatated.
Since Odie is almost 6 yrs old, his type of mesaesophagus is
"adult-onset". While this condition can be caused by certain diseases,
Odie's bloodwork is normal, so those aren't the problem. In Odie's case, it was
most likely caused by eating something that he shouldn't have, which has scarred
his esophagus so that it doesn't work properly.
Odie will have to be hand-fed -- in a special position with his head and neck
extended upwards -- for the rest of his life. He will need to eat several small
meals throughout the course of the day. When too much food backs up in his
esophagus, waiting to get into his stomach, that is when he throws up....
For now, Odie's pneumonia has cleared up. He is learning to eat his meals in
this special manner. He really enjoys the yogurt that foster mom has been
serving as a "bedtime snack". Every day that he keeps his meals in is
a step in
the right direction. Every few ounces of weight gained are cause for
celebration.
We are looking for a home for Odie that is willing to do work with his
condition. He will never be 100% better... he also will probably not live to a
full life expectancy, and will have more bouts with pneumonia.
Foster mom reports that Odie is quiet. He enjoys hanging out on the recliner or
watching out the window. He doesn't bark much. He occasionally gnaws on a bone.
He gets along with the other dogs in his foster home and walks well on a
leash. And he has the most delightful habit of greeting her at the door, fleecy
toy in mouth, as if to say "where have you been? it's time to play!"
Odie will be greatly missed by all who knew this special little guy.
Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue, Inc.,
P.O. Box 361
Newington, VA 22122-0361
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