God bless you…

We've taken Marta to the ER at 4am in the morning twice

This is very helpful. My youngest was recently diagnosed with megaesophagus and it’s feels good to see your dog healthy and happy 😁

Point 1: Keith's dog, Miko, is an 11-year-old Lhasa Apso who has been diagnosed with megaesophagus. Source: Keith shares his personal experience with his dog Miko. Point 2: Megaesophagus is a condition where the peristalsis effect in the dog's throat is paralyzed, causing food to sit in the esophagus instead of moving to the stomach. Source: Keith shares the diagnosis given by his vet. Point 3: Keith and his wife were initially told by the vet that Miko had six to twelve months to live, but they found an alternative solution on the internet. Source: Keith shares the information they received from their vet and their subsequent research. Point 4: Keith built a homemade Bailey chair to help Miko eat, which is a device that keeps the dog in an upright position during and after meals to facilitate food movement into the stomach. Source: Keith shares his experience of building and using the Bailey chair for Miko. Point 5: Keith logs and tracks all of Miko's meal times and eating habits to ensure that he is getting enough nutrition and to monitor his condition. Source: Keith shares his process for logging and tracking Miko's meals. Point 6: Keith and his wife have faced emotional struggles and financial stress due to Miko's condition, but they are committed to doing whatever it takes to care for him. Source: Keith shares his personal feelings and experiences related to Miko's condition and care. Point 7: Keith encourages others who have dogs with megaesophagus to build their own Bailey chair, log and track their dog's meals, and seek support from online communities such as Facebook groups. Source: Keith shares his recommendations based on his personal experience with Miko. Point 8: Keith emphasizes the importance of living a life of gratitude and being present in the moment, especially when faced with challenges such as caring for a special-needs pet. Source: Keith shares his personal philosophy and reflections on his experience with Miko.

* Keith's dog, Mikko, has megaesophagus, a condition that requires adjustments in lifestyle. (Source: Keith) * Keith built a chair for Mikko to help him with his megaesophagus. He is not a carpenter but was driven by love for his dog. (Source: Keith) * Keith's dog, Mikko, is a Lhasa Apso, and he was diagnosed with megaesophagus six years ago. Mikko was throwing up, shaking, and shivering before his diagnosis. (Source: Keith) * The veterinarian told Keith and his wife that dogs with severe megaesophagus usually don't live more than one or two years, but Mikko has surpassed that timeline. (Source: Veterinarian (as quoted by Keith)) * Keith and his wife committed to taking care of Mikko despite his diagnosis. They have been married for 10 years, and Keith's wife loves Mikko more than him. (Source: Keith) * Mikko has to go in a chair every time he eats or drinks to help him with his megaesophagus. The duration in the chair depends on what he consumes. (Source: Keith) * Keith has done extensive research on megaesophagus and understands the peristalsis effect and the role of the esophageal sphincter in the condition. (Source: Keith) * If the esophagus and esophageal sphincter are paralyzed, food can't process and go down, leading to regurgitation. This can cause aspiration pneumonia, which is serious and potentially life-threatening. (Source: Keith) * Keith and his wife have a habit of documenting every time they put Mikko in his chair. This was initially done using a notepad but has become a habit over time. (Source: Keith) * Keith uses a technique called "cooping cupping" to help Mikko with his megaesophagus. This involves rubbing and holding Mikko in specific ways to aid digestion. (Source: Keith) * Mikko has thrown up 11 times in one day, and taking care of him is a full-time job. Keith and his wife spend a lot of money and time cleaning up after him. (Source: Keith) * Keith is concerned about the Pharmaceuticals and city water and believes they could contribute to megaesophagus. He has an 11-stage water filtration system to prevent this. (Source: Keith) * Keith built the chair for Mikko from scratch, measuring his dog and staying up nights to build it. The chair has hinges and clasps and is now a piece of furniture. (Source: Keith) * Mikko sometimes has episodes where he shakes, curls up, and throws up, leading Keith to believe he might be suffering from excess mucus in his windpipe. (Source: Keith) * Keith has a theory that popping the mucus bubble in Mikko's windpipe could help him breathe better during these episodes. However, he is not a veterinarian and does not advise others to do this. (Source: Keith) * Keith has had to perform CPR on Mikko in the past and has a strong emotional connection with his dog. (Source: Keith) * Keith holds Mikko upside down and uses cupping to help him during episodes where he is suffocating and throwing up. He believes this helps remove fluid from Mikko's lungs. (Source: Keith) * Keith acknowledges that his methods might be dangerous and advises others to consult their veterinarian instead of listening to him. (Source: Keith) * Keith believes that removing physical obstructions causing suffering in dogs with megaesophagus can help them feel better. (Source: Keith) * Keith's wife has a high level of intuition and connection with Mikko, sometimes remaining calm during episodes while Keith panics. Keith has learned to borrow her certainty at times. (Source: Keith) * Keith believes that interrupting Mikko's pattern during episodes by taking him outside or giving him water can help him forget his suffering and relax. (Source: Keith) * Keith had a deep meditative moment where he realized that Mikko loved him with complete unconditional love, and since then, they have bonded deeply. (Source: Keith) * Keith's wife loves the sound of Mikko snoring, so Keith recorded a high-quality audio of Mikko snoring for 10 minutes straight. (Source: Keith)

We just adopted a mega E puppy yesterday who was abandoned in the street at 3 months old because he was poorly. This video has been so helpful! Our Bailey chair arrives on Sunday and atm we are elevating him to eat and then holding him in an upright cuddle position afterwards! But even at 3 months old he weights 7kg because he’s a GSD. We are taking it in turns but have sore arms already 😂 but it’s worth it. We’ve not had any puke or regurge in our first 24 hours so we must be doing something right? Is your dog hungry all of the time? Or is ours because he wasn’t cared for properly before? We have another GSD and we were wondering about the water situation. ATM the bowl is elevated and Koby can’t reach but as he grows I can see it becoming problematic. I don’t want to withhold water from Max, but I don’t want Koby aspirating because he’s drunk Max’s water. We were told to get thickener for the water which is coming tomorrow, but doesn’t Koby still need to use his chair for that? Sorry for the questions but I’m trying to learn fast

Hi, my dog has Megaesophagus and has survived through the 90 days. I've learned that when they throw up you give them Pepcid, after that my dog will not throw up for like two weeks. When she does throw up it's bad. I've spent so much money on her. Pepcid works...try it!

Thank you so much! I almost put my down yesterday

Do you have him on Sildenafil? It opens up the Esophagus we give it to Marta about 15min before we put her on her chair to eat.

Happy birthday

When you love someone the way you love them you will always do what you can to take care of them

We are still waiting on our dog having tests for this, it looks like it may be the case. He’s a French Bulldog. I actually ordered a ‘baby walker’ to try but wasn’t too successful, I will try again soon. If he is diagnosed I will invest in a chair. I have been treating him this past week as if he has already been diagnosed and just sitting him upright on my legs and holding him. I know that may not be practical long term but it’ll do for now. Praying it isn’t the case but you just know these things sometimes don’t you 💔 He is literally my child, it’s going to be so difficult but I will do anything and everything.

how is your dog??? exactly the same situation and my Chocos, now 10 years old, was diagnosed with MA. for 5 years now, exactly the same daily life as yours, but we love him very much! We give him Viagra, it helps, with a shovel and a broom we saved something from the kitchen paper😁, he survived 2 serious pneumonias and a bronchopneumonia, he is a hero and we are going strong! I wish you are all well!!!!!!!!!!!

Sending love and prayers for you guys!🐾❤️

Just found out our mini weenie has this. she's a whole 10 pounds. I'm making this

Thanks so much for this!

What a great informative video and great comments! Love you guys 😍

I just love you guys and your videos! Blessings ❤

Keith, where are you today with Micko! Love your story and your heart!❤️

Thank you for sharing your pain your love and your joy for your dog. Our German Shepherd shepherd was just diagnosed with MG, he is 2 years old and a joy to have, but I know it’s not an easy thing to go through! Blessings for you and your wife!❤

Our dog is 7 years old and has recently been diagnosed with mega oesophagus and we have a picnic blanket that is waterproof on one side and has fleece on the other, we use it to cover the bed where our dog sleeps and it gets washed most days but it saves the majority of the rest of the bedding, also we use a squeegee and a dustpan with a rubber edge to scoop up his puke and then we have a spray disinfectant that we use to clean with. We love our dog too and we are trying our hardest to keep him safe, thanks for sharing your story.

Bonjour, Mon dogue allemand souffre de la même pathologie que votre Lhassa Apso. Je ne sais pas comment je pourrais construire une Bailey chair à sa taille, car il pèse 72 kg à son poids de forme. Je le fais asseoir 15mn après chaque prise de nourriture et 8mn après chaque absorption d'eau. En général cela suffit, mais quelquefois j entends dans sa gorge que tout n'est pas descendu et on recommence le temps d attente assis. Les 3 dernières minutes, je me mets assise en face de lui et je le fais se lever en appuyant ses pattes sur moi. Durant tout ce temps, je masse sa gorge du côté gauche et j'effectue des tapes un peu partout le long de son oesophage comme vous le faites avec Miko. Il a été diagnostiqué il y a 10 jours seulement, mais cela faisait 5 mois déjà qu il était malade. Il est tombé à 58kg, j'ai eu très peur, j'ai engueulé ma veterinaire qui avait diagnostiqué initialement une pancreatite sans prendre la peine de confirmer cela par une prise de sang. Je lui ai dit que je ne voulais rien savoir, que je voulais qu elle fasse tous les examens possibles pour me dire s il avait attrapé un cancer digestif ou je-ne-sais-quoi. Elle a fait une échographie mais rien de spécial pour elle. Devant mon insistance, elle s'est sentie(enfin) obligée de faire des radios pour rechercher des tumeurs quelquepart dans son ventre. Ne trouvant rien sur la partie arrière du chien, elle en a fait 2 autres en remontant vers le haut du corps et à la 3e elle a fait "waouw". Moi je tenais encore le chien sir la table le temps qu'on soit sûres que le cliché était bon. L'assistante veterinaire est allée voir. Elle a dit "waouw". Et moi j'étais juste la avec mon biggy doggy, les larmes aux yeux en train de supplier le Seigneur. Et l'autre idiote elle faisait un cours en sourdine à son assistante au lieu de s'occuper de moi et du stress terrible que j'étais en train de communiquer à mon chien. Enfin elle a dit que le cliché était OK, elles sont revenues à la table et m'ont aidée à porter le chien pour le faire descendre. Le pauvre était si mal, littéralement en train de mourir de faim, avec presque 15kg de moins que son poids normal. Ses côtés comme un piano, son train arrière si maigre, il avait carrément perdu son magnifique col de cygne, qui est un standard important pour sa race, ce cou si puissant. Il tenait à peine debout. Elle m a annoncé le diagnostic m a dit qu'il fallait aller dans une autre clinique pour faire un scanner à 531€ en plus d une nouvelle consultation, que pour ça il fallait l anesthésier, que c'était l étape suivante. Et c'était dans 5 jours, et mon chien ne tenait pas debout, il était en train de mourir de faim et de soif, et elle voulait lui faire subir une anesthésie alors que le dogue allemand est connu pour être fragile du cœur. Je suis rentree chez moi, en larmes. J'ai mis mon chien sur le lit, je l ai emmitouflé dans une énorme couette pour qu'il ne se refroidisse pas en plus du reste et j'ai cherché sur internet, ce que je pouvais faire, qu est ce que c'était que ce mega oesophage. Et j'ai fini par tomber sur vos vidéos. Je vous remercie. Grâce à vous j'ai pris conscience que systématiquement systématiquement systématiquement, il doit être assis après le repas. On a commencé avec 10mn mais c'était insuffisant et il fallait recommencer un peu plus tard, alors on est passé à 12mn puis à 15mn. Et là plupart du temps c'est suffisant. En une semaine il a retrouvé sa vitalité. Il recommence à trottiner, même si ce n'est pas très longtemps, il a de nouveau envie de jouer avec moi ou même tout seul. Il revit. Et moi aussi je revis. Il n'a plus rien régurgité depuis que je l ai ramené à la maison après son diagnostic. Je suis restée 5 jours avec lui sans aller travailler pour m'assurer qu'il reprenait des forces. Je lui administré désormais ses croquettes avec un cachet de Metoclopramide qui aide (entre autres) à la dilatation du sphincter qui joint l oesophage à l estomac. Et je mouille ses croquettes avec un demi-carre de bouillon de bœuf, car il n'aime pas les croquettes molles à la base. Pendant le week-end j'ai ajouté de l'huile de tournesol à sa ration(3 cuillères à soupe) pour qu il soit nourri plus grassement d'une part, mais aussi pour que sa ration glisse plus facilement vers le bas. Ça semble fonctionner très bien. Je ne sais pas encore si je pourrai lui redonner des croquettes seches, on verra. Pour l'instant il a 14kg à reprendre avant d envisager la moindre anesthésie pour les examens suivants. Nous avons rendez vous dans 15 jours pour un check-up. Et dans un mois je l emmene dans une grande clinique veterinaire pour voir si la gastroscopie sera possible. Ça coûte aussi cher que le scanner autour de 500€, dû au poids de mon chien, 60kg. S il reprend du poids d ici la ce sera encore plus cher, m"ont-ils dit. On verra. J'ai l espoir. Et lui aussi il semble l avoir retrouvé. Je suis heureuse qu'il ne se sente plus coupable d avoir sali tout le lit, ou toute la maison, heureuse aussi de ne plus passer une couverture par jour au lave-linge. Heureuse aussi qu'il puisse faire ses nuits complètes. J'ai ajouté des oreillers sur le lit, ainsi peu importe comment il se tourne au cours de la nuit, il a toujours la tête surélevée. Heureuse aussi de ne plus devoir acheter un énorme rouleau de papier essuie-tout par semaine. Heureuse aussi qu il ait arrêté de tout vomir sur loi dans la voiture, ou de vomir sur le frein à main ou le levier de vitesse. Je n en pouvais plus. On était mal tous les 2. Et la on peut enfin dormir tranquille à nouveau. Il est tellement beau quand il dort..

My dog was just diagnosed. But he has had regurgitating issues for a while now. We found out due to him aspirating. What we found works really well so far for him is soaking his dog food with water an hour before he eats. And making "meatballs" out of it. This gives him 1 ball he can easily swallow each time instead of a bunch of pieces of kibble that can't go down. (His meals is about 5 meatball sizes) Our biggest issue is water drinking. He regurgitates after every time he drinks water. Im considering getting a hamster water bottle for him and strapping it to the wall where he has to stand on the wall to lick at it. We also pick up the water bowl any time we can't watch him (like sleeping) id consider stoping water intake an hour befor you guys go to bed so your family and the dog can get uninterrupted sleep.

Thank you for the information 😊

Keith that was fabulous information & grateful you shared at a normal level. "Twilight zone" was a perfect description. Your & your wife are lucky to have each other as it sounds like you have a great partnership as pet lovers. My precious 8 y.o lab developed terrible reflux/ regurgitation after meals & I will take this info into account to try to help her.

We just found out our 9 mth old boarder collie has this ,we have a Bailey Chair ordered and will be here next week…our vet has been extremely helpful

I replaced the maintenance bar and new ink . Still can’t figure how to get it out of Spanish mode ?!! Help

I have the 110 wf it’s stuck in Spanish on screen how do I change it

We have a 6week old puppy with it. Not sure what to do for her since she’s so tiny

Our frenchie Berkeley is 3 yrs old and we couldn't figure out why he kept throwing up even water. The only thing that would help was carrying him and tapping him on the back. Today I took him to thw vet bc its getting worse especially in the mornings when you are trying to get ready for work and he is throwing up all over multiple times. The vet mentioned that it sounds like he has megaesophaus. He also mentioned the special chair. While looking for the chair your video came up. So grateful i found your channel and thank you for the encouragement. My daughter and I will try to figure out how to make him a chair. I noticed he is losing weight 😢. Im glad your baby is well and you're right you adjust and this too shall pass ❤

That was very helpful and hat's off to you for taking such good care of your dog🥹 Just a suggestion, why not remove/ empty all water bowls at night and latch up bathroom doors too in case he tries drinking out of the toilet bowl. It would atleast save you from these unexpected midnight pukes🥺

Hi. my dog was just diagnosed with mega esophagus about 6 weeks ago. She is a twelve-year-old golden/lab mix. I understand completely what you are going through as I have had many sleepless nights over the past month or so. My vet finally prescribed viagra for my Stella and it has been a total game changer in her condition. Before she started these meds i truly thought she was going to die. I know your video is a few years old so maybe your dog is on this treatment now. I know what you have been going through and it is very stressful.

I use a squeegee with handle and dust pan for my English Bulldog. It helps picking up large amounts and save on pager towels. I’m still looking for a strong enough cordless wet vac that can pick up all the slimy consistency to make it easier.

Thanks

My dog was just diagnosed with mega esophagus. After years of throwing up and being told it’s his breed I finally got a real diagnosis and your videos have been super helpful! it’s nice to know there are good days and bad days

I love how the chair matches the cabinet! Good job!!!!

I have 6 large Special Needs dogs. All rescues. Love knows no bounds. My dad would bring home injured animals all my life. I was taught to care for and do everything possible to save a fellow Earthling. Nature works better than most medicine. It's the only life I would want. I'm in my late 60's. I guess you just get used to no sleep.

Hi Keith I just came across your videos. Been dealing with ME for about a year now. My dog is 13. I have a couple questions. In one video I thought you said you keep your dog upright for about five minutes after eating and also that he throws up everyday. I keep my dog upright for 30 minutes after and then put in neck hug pillow for twenty additional minutes. She has rarely thrown up only occasionally. I was wondering if you kept your dog upright longer maybe he wouldn't throw up as much. Please don't take this as any criticism. I know you have been dealing with this for awhile now. I'm just thinking, thats all. My question is if you have problems with sneezing. My dog sneezes so much everyday. The food somehow gets in her nose. Vet says it's what it is. I'm searching for a remedy for this type of sneezing and only come across why dogs sneeze, allergies, etc.... Wondering if you have any advice on this.

Thank you for all your Information😊I’m new at this and I do panic when she starts gagging or choking ! So I have had her about a month 1/2 and the last 3 weeks she has not lost her food but she still gags and chokes but she is eating but I hold her and burp her like a baby sometimes she gags and sometimes she don’t 😊But should I put her in her chair and feed her? When I got her she weighed 2 pounds she is a small Shih Tzu I am trying so hard to keep her weight up she has gained 1 pound now 😊She is fragile in size but she now runs when I take her out with my other 4 leg baby❤I do need all the help I can get😊I do give her goat milk and she tolerates it well❤ Any suggestions I would love! Thank you

Thank you for these videos and I appreciate you not monetizing this information. My doxie and I appreciate it.

Definitely a roller coaster. Wish we had vet insurance, its extremely expensive to deal with Hang in there!! Ours was diagmosed anout 3years ajo

Thank you so much for sharing your story. My son's dog was recently diagnosed 3 months ago. I do have a question - Did your veterinary prescribe any medication for your dog?

Yes! Although we have a throw rug that will be thrown out because of the puddles. Since we built the chair and feed ice cubes and jello for water, we have less puddles. Of course you can't stop the saliva puddles that pool in the esophagus when resting but we do not have as many food and grass puddles now.

our babies deserve all the love and effort they give us pure love

thank you so much for this video my dog have this and i was so sad

Thank you. I’m trying this journey with my Rottweiler now. It’s killing me. He went from 140 lbs to 80 lbs in a short time

This. No one understands what it is like. I have sent this video to family and friends when they ask me why I always look so tired… I work 8 to 12 hours a day in a factory, and get about 2-3 hours of sleep a night… anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. My girl is a rescue. She woke up choking on her own vomit, started convulsing, and went limp… I remembered your video about how you held your dog upside down when that happened to you.. I did it with my girl and after about 15 seconds, it came up out of her mouth and nose. Never been so scared… thank you for your videos, your time, your knowledge. You truly saved my dogs life and I couldn’t be more grateful.

have you tried raising the water bowl?

You mentioned a Facebook group. I can’t find one. Would you mind giving me the link for it?

My Guy, I need to give you some advice. We have a husky with MegaE and we foster dogs with MegaE from our local shelter as they come into care pending adoption. Honestly, it doesn't sound like you have received the correct vet reccemdations. Please don't take offense, I can tell how much you love your guy. So, there's degrees of MegaE where some dogs can be fed upright and get down right away and be ok and others need to stay up for much longer. It sounds like your guy has severe case like our guy. Let me start by saying your dog shouldn't have access to free feeding water or food. Your guy should be fed in a Bailey Chair and needs to stay seated in that chair from 15 minutes to a hour or even a hour and fifteen minutes. We get prescription food called, Hydro Protein which isn't required but it dissolves quickly after eating (this is just extra help we do for our guy). We feed two times a day and we mix water all portions (dry food mixed with water, if he won't do that then soak food in water a hour before). Three times is reccomended if your schedule allows and you likely can do less time with smaller portions. After he finishes we start his timer and he sits for 45 minutes on each feeding. Plus, he lets us know if he wants water through our day, plus we always do extra water before bed. We always place him in chair after he drinks and sits for 5 to 10 minutes (we also make gelatin water cubes and we add with food or on own). It's the same with treats he goes into to chair for typically 10 minutes. It's easy to tell how long a dog should be in chair with process of elimination start with 15 minutes and if he gets out and starts gaging, he goes back in, keep doing this until he comes out fine. Now, if he needs more than 30 minutes after feedings this likely means he probably is on severe side like our guy. My guy needed a hour and half at first, but after going to see specialist we found out there's a human medication that's a game changer; it makes a world of diffrence! The medication is Viagra (yes, same med used for men) After, a week we were able to cut our guys time by half, plus he almost never throws up as long as he gets his time in chair. Free feeding water to dog with MegaE is very dangerous because of possible of asperating into lungs. It is extremely rare a dog with, MegaE should need emergency vet care because of MegaE. We have a lot of experience with the condition because we take care of our guy and we have had at least 15 other MegaE fosters over the years which was all over the spectrum. We haven't found a case we haven't been able to find correct time in chair. If you have any questions reach out to me. This is what I recommend use bailey Chair for all feeding including water, determine correct time in chair, consider getting Viagra script if chair alone isn't enough and possibly consider the Hydro dog food. This condition isn't a digestion issue once the food moves into digestive track it's not going to come up; this is why we feed them upright. These guys do take extra time, but it's far more manageable than what it seems like your family is experiencing. We feed our guy first in the morning after going into chair he knows his routine (we turn on his favorite show and he watches it and we get ready for the day) I hope this helps you and your pup. His quality of life will be far better if you're able to do some of this stuff, it's not fun to puke. I wish you and him the best