Update on Chloe....

Junkman · Jul 6, 2004

As many of you know from the Photo forum, my dog had pups back in October 2003. The one pup that I was holding in my hand showing how small and cute they were, is still living with us. This is not by choice, but by necessity. While all the other pups were getting bigger, she was definitely the runt of the litter. So much so, that when all the rest were 8 weeks old and ready to go to new homes, she looked like she was still 4 weeks old. We were all baffled including the veterinarian, but just figured that she was going to be a late bloomer. Then about 10 weeks of age, she started to have problems keeping her food down. After a lot of discussion with the veterinarian, he said that an exploratory surgery was in order. He felt that there was a shunt around the liver and that she wasn't processing her food properly. The Monday morning that he was to do the exploratory surgery, she threw up some food that she had been given on Saturday evening. Knowing that the stomach should have been empty, since she hadn't been fed anything but water on Sunday, he did a barium x-ray. That disclosed that she had "mega-esophagus". This is where the esophagus is like a balloon and the food and water just pool in the throat and don't make it into the stomach. This is the second dog that I have had that developed this condition. My Weimeraner developed it at 10 years of age, and died as a result. Now my dilemma was what to do. The veterinarian suggest that we put her down immediately, because he knew of no dog that ever lived long with this abnormality. They just waste away from lack of nourishment. I decided to try to keep her going for as long as possible. Now, she weighs just over 4 pounds, and a few months ago, she was up to 6 pounds, however, we still can't keep food in her stomach without my holding her upright for about an hour after eating. Even then, she might not keep it down, because it never entered the stomach in the first place. Sometimes the food makes it into the stomach and other times it doesn't. I do get to do a lot of reading while holding her, but typing is difficult one handed. Where all this will wind up, I have no idea. We are committed to keeping her alive as long as she is not in pain and keeps enough nourishment in her to sustain life. We know that her end might come at any time, but keep hoping that everything that we try will make the difference. Today, at the suggestion of DIYGuy, I tried something new and it appears to be a promising form of nutrition. Only time will tell for certain.
I just wanted to let people know, because this has been weighing heavily on me for months and sometimes, I have been on edge when posting, because of many a bad day with Chloe. If I have offended anyone in any of my previous posting, it wasn't meant to be, and please accept my apologies.

Junkman · Jul 6, 2004

This is Chloe at 12 weeks of age.... She hasn't change much since then....
This is the link to the original post and pictures.. original post in Photo Forum

fivestring · Jul 7, 2004

Nothing we can say will make anything better, but KNOW that we will all be thinking of you and your situation.
I'm sure you will make the best decision.

Boondox · Jul 7, 2004

Hang in there, Junkman. Many of us here know how a pup can tug at your heartstrings, especially a youngster in trouble. With Oliver, we knew he was doomed and we noticed his worsening. Kept telling ourselves we'd keep an eye out for signs of pain. In the end it was signs of distress and anxiety, not pain, that made us call the vet...but he passed away before his appointment.

You're doing well by Chloe. Sometimes no matter how emotionally painful, all you can give a pup is a loving home while they're with us. And she definitely has one with you.

Pete

DAP · Jul 7, 2004

Junk, perhaps I was wrong, but isn't their a corrective surgery for this?

Now I know first hand the enormous amount of energy it requires, but sometimes we are pleasantly surprised to hear of different ideas from different veterinarians (multiple opinions).

I had an aquaintence who's weimerheimer also had this anomoly. The shunted the animal and basically tube fed him for a long time. Other complications arose however.

Keep us posted junk.

Inspector507 · Jul 7, 2004

I don't see how that post could ever offend anyone. Someone caring deeply for a pet, trying to keep her alive.
Good Luck Junkman

Richard · Jul 7, 2004

Boy these things rip at me...

I empathize with you and at the same time, I'm glad for Chloe that she has YOU there for her instead of some other type of people I can think of. If her time is short, at least she shared it with love.

Good luck with her.

Richard

shvl73 · Jul 7, 2004

Keep trying, she's fortunate to have a caring friend. I think I would do as you already are.

mundamanu · Jul 7, 2004

Junkman,

Please note that I appreciate your emotional attachment to Chloe and the depth of care that you are giving her. So, I am not writing this post to be mean or to be argumentative. I am writing this post because I think you made the wrong decision, for the right reasons.

Unless Chloe's condition can be fixed, I think you should put her down. She may not be in pain. However, she is almost certainly suffering from a constant gnawing hunger. A living body has an almost indefatigable will to live and can be sustained for quite a long time in an absolutely miserable condition.

Chloe should not be made to suffer because you want to fight the good fight.

I am sure many will disagree with me and think me cold for writing this post. That is their--and of course your--prerogative. Nevertheless, I felt the need to point out that maybe Chloe's best interest is not being served by keeping her alive.

Good luck and I am sorry that you find yourself in this awful situation. And, if Chloe's condition can be fixed and you are willing to do it, then by all means do it and give her a happy, healthy life.

Cliff_Johns · Jul 7, 2004

I imagine you've tried this already, but I would call the universitys closest to you who have a vetrinary program. They often are interested in such situations and are willing and able to try the newer procedures that the local vets may not know about or are unwilling to try. While the dog may or may not survive, at least she will have a fighting chance and the results of the attempt might help the next one.

I would also check to see if this condition is genetic and inform the owners of the other dogs in the litter. They should be aware of the possibility so they can watch for indications.

I am so sorry for her and for you. We bred English Settere when I was a kid and I always prefered the runt of the litter. They always seemed the sweetest to me. I remember sitting there (I was probably 5 or so) pulling the big fat ones of the Teet and putting the smallest ones in their places.

Cliff