Post by Nabi on Nov 28, 2011 1:11:14 GMT
some of you have known of Bellas ongoing gastric problems....she has been seen by many DVM's and is on sulcrate and Omeprazole...lately her condition has deteriorated and she was referred to the Ontario Veterinary College for assessment... (teaching hospital ) This hosptial is an 6- 7 hr drive away but well worth the trip...
Bella had fantastic care....she was assigned a 4th yr student for history taking etc... ( and she is going to make a fine vet )...then she was seen by Dr Parks the internist...she felt her s/s pointed more so to an esophageal problem and decide to start there and then move into other areas if nothing was found...unfortunately tests proved Bella has Megaesophagus. Her Esophagus was found to be 3x the normal size......she has very little muscle mass...and was found to be dehydrated....testing was completed for Addisons, Hypothryroidism and Myasenthia Gravis...She also had a neurological consult....the test for MG has to go to the USA so won't be back for a couple of weeks or more...
Treatment for now will be symptomatic...along with her Sulcrate and Omeprazole she has started on another med..Cisapride but we aren't to continue it after one month if no improvement is noted...the hospital called today to see how she was...I thought that was so considerate of them...
we have to use a Bailey chair for pre/post feeding..all of her food needs to be pureed and she needs to remain upright x30mins post feeds.....this allows the food to move thru the esophagus...and food is to be high caloric, if she can tolerate it...other wise what ever stays down ! A feeding tube may be needed in the future...
Her prognosis is " hopeful "...aspiration pnuemonia is always going to be a threat...
Bella is a real ambassador for chihuahuas....I can't tell you how many comments we had about her lovable personality and how well behaved she is...
The doctor wanted us to join a support group which we did...it was started by a couple who since have lost their pet to ME...the Bailey chair is named after their dog....there is also a DVM in the group who is very knowledgeable about ME...one of the members also makes the Procollars...Bella will need to wear this at all times unless she is in her bailey chair...
A couple of pics of Bella in her Bailey chair...she doesn't mind it at all and usually falls asleep right after she eats...so she must be comfortable
I am making an appt with her primary care DVM to discuss endoscopy...they had not been willing to do it in Sudbury as they could not biopsy her d/t her size...but now that we have a diagnosis they may be willing to go ahead and just take a look for stenosis......Thanks Nate for your advice...its always welcome ....and appreciated...hopefully they can, otherwise its another long drive to S/Ontario for f/u if she shows no improvement...we already have been notified that she must return to the OVC for her PEG tube when and if that becomes necessary !
Bella had fantastic care....she was assigned a 4th yr student for history taking etc... ( and she is going to make a fine vet )...then she was seen by Dr Parks the internist...she felt her s/s pointed more so to an esophageal problem and decide to start there and then move into other areas if nothing was found...unfortunately tests proved Bella has Megaesophagus. Her Esophagus was found to be 3x the normal size......she has very little muscle mass...and was found to be dehydrated....testing was completed for Addisons, Hypothryroidism and Myasenthia Gravis...She also had a neurological consult....the test for MG has to go to the USA so won't be back for a couple of weeks or more...
Treatment for now will be symptomatic...along with her Sulcrate and Omeprazole she has started on another med..Cisapride but we aren't to continue it after one month if no improvement is noted...the hospital called today to see how she was...I thought that was so considerate of them...
we have to use a Bailey chair for pre/post feeding..all of her food needs to be pureed and she needs to remain upright x30mins post feeds.....this allows the food to move thru the esophagus...and food is to be high caloric, if she can tolerate it...other wise what ever stays down ! A feeding tube may be needed in the future...
Her prognosis is " hopeful "...aspiration pnuemonia is always going to be a threat...
Bella is a real ambassador for chihuahuas....I can't tell you how many comments we had about her lovable personality and how well behaved she is...
The doctor wanted us to join a support group which we did...it was started by a couple who since have lost their pet to ME...the Bailey chair is named after their dog....there is also a DVM in the group who is very knowledgeable about ME...one of the members also makes the Procollars...Bella will need to wear this at all times unless she is in her bailey chair...
A couple of pics of Bella in her Bailey chair...she doesn't mind it at all and usually falls asleep right after she eats...so she must be comfortable
I am making an appt with her primary care DVM to discuss endoscopy...they had not been willing to do it in Sudbury as they could not biopsy her d/t her size...but now that we have a diagnosis they may be willing to go ahead and just take a look for stenosis......Thanks Nate for your advice...its always welcome ....and appreciated...hopefully they can, otherwise its another long drive to S/Ontario for f/u if she shows no improvement...we already have been notified that she must return to the OVC for her PEG tube when and if that becomes necessary !