Thoughts on megaesophagus

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by luvmy shep on 29 March 2009 - 15:03

What are peoples thoughts on this, would you get another puppy from the same breeder ?

by hodie on 29 March 2009 - 15:03

Could it happen that another pup have the congenital condition? Sure, but it is unlikely. I would think the more important issues would revolve around how the breeder helped you deal with the situation with the first pup. If they were helpful, honored whatever guarantee they had given (*if any), and have dogs you like, then I would consider getting a pup from them. Not everything is within the control of the breeder.

by Rik on 29 March 2009 - 16:03

I had a litter several years ago in which 5 of 6 pups had mega esophagus. It's a genetic condition and I would not want a pup from the same parents.

It showed up in my pups as soon as they started eating solid food. They would eat and then regurgitate. The defect will show up on an x-ray.

Did you notice the symptoms when you first got the pup or was it later.

Rik

by SitasMom on 29 March 2009 - 17:03

If I were interested in breeding, I would not purchase another dog from either of the parents of that puppy. Nor would I purchase a puppy from the puppies parents siblings, brothers or sisters......

If I were interested in a companion dog that was to be spay or castrated, I would consider an older puppy, say 12 or 16 weeks that was symptom free.

by nanu on 29 March 2009 - 17:03

having some genetic / nutritional education on this issue, I hope my comments are some help. First, the megaesophagus may be genetic and likely is, but not always. Second only one parent needs to be responsible for a genetic condition so that should be ruled out at some time.

good advice from sitasmom.   if you are choosing similar bloodlines, a symptom free puppy is advisable and symptom free is as early as 8-9 weeks   They do not get better with age, only worse!   These sypmtoms show as the puppy is going from liquid to solid food. Sometimes the symptoms are so severe, they start immediately from nursing to liquid food.

Advice on buying puppies,    have the breeder feed them in your presence.   Hard food only such as kibble. A mega puppy may be able to lick a liquid or extremely soft food and keep it down. The hard food will show the presence by the puppy needing to regurgitate. If you are getting a puppy and having it shipped and have this question, expect this test to be done by the vet who is writing the shipping health certificate. A very reasonable thing to ask. THe price should be included in the office visit.

sorry to hear this.   And please as a breeder, if one is buying dogs to breed, one does not know about this unless you are willing to do a gut wretching amount of research on your dogs before you breed and that means no word of mouth. You have to go out and see the dogs, test them, see a lot of siblings and offspring.

Good luck and hope this turns out well for you.

Nancy Rhynard
www.westwoodkennels.com

by yellowrose of Texas on 29 March 2009 - 17:03

I agree with Nancy...watch the pup eat before you buy..
ONe pup with Megaesophagus doesnt mean any more will ever have it ,but to be sure check the puppies...It is a freak genetic screw up and like Hodie said.,,it puts doubt in the mind when buying a pup.

Contrary to what people believe, our bloodlines and genetic problems are in every single dog and every single line in the world.. We as humans cannot control where the genes fall nor where they fly...so you make foolish statements that don't buy from dogs that have one pup with Megaes...not true...many many many breeding pairs have far worse genetic kickbacks and no one , even with testings of pairs before breeding can make any sure guarantees that something can't happen . You can test till you turn green and God is in control of life not humans nor a test tube.

That is why you buy from a reputable breeder who has discussed guarantees and a pup born with megae will show it at 4 weeks old and not just develop it at 8 weeks old...it is very obvious and can be seen the minute the pup eats solid foods.

by luvmy shep on 29 March 2009 - 18:03

Our boy was a pet , and a great dog it was very heartbreaking to lose him, you all have given good advise, Thankyou

by hodie on 29 March 2009 - 19:03

Yes, it can be genetic, but it is a different kind of genetic problem than many we talk about here. There are other reasons as well for this condition, and in the case of the OP, it appears something else was the cause, rather than it being present at birth. For my money, I would not hesitate to get a dog from the same breeder, given the statements I made above, especially in this case and if the OP was satisfied with the breeder. Sadly, we would often like to blame the breeder, but there are things that happen later in life that are not necessarily because of some poor breeding practice. Here is a link to a simple but good article on the condition. I suggest everyone read it.

http://www.marvistavet.net/html/body_megaesophagus.html

Good luck to luvmy Shep in finding another dog. It is always heartbreaking to loose dogs. I have had that experience all too many times in my life.

by SitasMom on 29 March 2009 - 20:03

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/classifieds/75885.html

this might be a good fit for you.........

by Jeevs on 29 March 2009 - 22:03

I bred a puppy with this condition, and after trying out different foods I actually found that a very large kibble made her actually carefully chew and swallow, rather than gulp it down which was when it came back. You could also hear a slurping sound when she had a drink, like water sloshing about. I had never heard of the condition, but when I asked about it I was asked if she had a certain well known sable dog in her pedigree, and it was on both sides, several generations back, so would appear to have been hereditary in her case.

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