JAX AND ODIE
SECOND CHANCES
MEGAESOPHAGUS: HEARTBREAK AND A HAPPY ENDING
Tales of Two Cockers
Submitted by Kathi Alexander
Megaesophagus is a big word for an often fatal condition. There are different types of megaesophagus: one occurs before birth, another is adult-onset. The first type can sometimes be corrected by surgery. The latter is either the result of an illness or injury. In both conditions, the dog’s esophagus is enlarged and cannot properly propel food from the throat down to the stomach. In the past year, Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue of Northern Virginia (OBG) has learned by experience about both types.
We first learned about it from Jax. Jax's owner contacted OBG a few months before he came to us. She wanted to give up a young black cocker with some very serious medical problems. Jax had been diagnosed with megaesophagus. We simply could not afford his medical needs. The surgery that Jax needed was too expensive for the rescue group to handle. We were forced to decline. Soon after, a shelter contacted OBG and wanted us to come to pick up "one of our dogs". When we arrived, there was Jax, with our name tied to his collar. Apparently, the original owner deposited Jax at the shelter and put OBG's name on him.
Judy Wollin, OBG's President, contacted one of our special veterinarians for the much needed help for Jax. The doc was able to perform the very difficult and expensive operation at a special rescue discount. When Jax came to us, he was no more that 14lbs. After the surgery, Jax was able to eat again, but not without human help. While the surgery did save his life, he was still not able to eat solid food. He needed to be spoon-fed soft dog food while at the same time extending his head and neck upwards. He had to use gravity to help him eat.
After surgery, Jax was doing much better. In fact, after two weeks in one of our foster homes, Jax started gaining weight. It wasn't hard to fall in love with his cute face, high energy and outgoing personality. He was soon adopted. His new mom changed his name to Casey. We are very happy to report that Casey (Jax) is doing great. He is one of our little miracles. He runs, plays, and chews just like any other happy dog.
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| Casey loves his new home. | He runs, plays, and chews just like any other happy dog. |
Once again, OBG got a call from a family that couldn't afford their cocker's medical bills. This time we didn't have a diagnosis in advance. Odie's "people" couldn't afford the barium test that would confirm his problem.
The 16-yr-old daughter of Odie's owner wrote a letter about the meaning of rescue. She felt that Odie should be given a chance to live, even if they couldn't afford his vet care. Odie was only 6 years old. OBG posted Odie on their website, and donations for his vetting started to trickle in.
Odie's foster mom met a very sick little guy in June. On top of the megaesophagus, Odie had pneumonia. This is a side effect of the constant regurgatation. Our vet determined that Odie's condition was adult-onset, meaning that he ate something he shouldn't have and the inside of his esophagus was too badly scarred to function properly. Odie was not a candidate for the same surgery that helped Casey.
Odie would have to eat in the same upright position, something he did -- very eagerly -- several times a day. Foster mom worked to build up Odie's weight. He came into rescue weighing 19.4lbs. After a few weeks, a trip to the vet showed that he was close to 21lbs. But the special feeding sessions and weight gain weren't enough.
Odie's foster mom sent out the following message on August 28th, 11 weeks after he came into rescue:
“Some of you sent wonderful donations (sponsorships) towards his vet care…
Some of you inquired about adopting him ...
Some of you held his leash at adoption events ...
One of you "rescued" him from the vet last night ...
Most of you sent prayers and well-wishes for his continued strength.
Thank you, one and all.”
“Everyone that met Odie knew how dear he was. Odie passed away at 7:30 this morning. We knew he would eventually succumb to the megaesophagus by either pneumonia or starvation. I never expected it would be so soon or so sudden.“
Kathi A, Odie's foster mom and OBG volunteer.
The 2009 ASC Annual Flushing Spaniel Show