Hi I am a breeder of staff's and had 4 litters, this litter is the first from the pup that i kept from a litter 2 years ago. she had 9 pups but sadly 2 were dead at birth. The others have been fine and now in there new homes. But sadly the one that i still have is always sick when she eats her food. I have fed them james wellbelove since weening and had no problems. Her tummy contracts as she is eating and then she is sick, it has alot of flem in it. she trys to eat it again. sometimes staying down some times not. she has normal stools and is weeing ok. we have taken her to the vets and they have given her a new food. but i am reluctant to try this as a change in food is bad for them as well. I have today given her some boiled chicken. and she was sick the first time but has so far kept the 2nd feed down. She is sleeping alot but still has a play and runs around. Has anyone got any ideas as to what i can do to help the poor thing. she is so small, and waiting to go to her new loving home.

Hi Jo

Has the vet tested for megaoesphagus because what you are describing unfortunately sound very much like it.

You might be able to see her throat contract and go into like a pouch.  The fact she is small as well would lead me to believe this might be the case.

Your vet will need to do a barium meal or endoscopy to confirm it.  I pray for your sake it isnt that.  I had two puppies die of it and it was horrible.

Chloe

Thank you for the response. I am now taking her back to the vets and she is going to stay in over night. I am so upset as you do get attached to them. even when you know they are going to new homes at the end of it all. She is keeping water down. so hopefully its not to bad. bless her she is just so small. i am gutted that I did'nt see it sooner but as you know when you have 9 dogs its hard to keep up with them all. it just hit me. I am hopeing that she will be fine and she is a little fighter. thank you again for the reply and i will keep you upto date as to how she is. regards JO

I actually sold one of mine and it wasnt until the owner contacted me to ask me was it normal for them to keep being sick that we found out.  The second one was tragic and I had him put to sleep.  I am keeping everything crossed it isnt that though. :)

Chloe

Ho chloe Just back from the vets and they are not keeping her in. they have given her antibyotic's and a medecine to line the stomac. ( my spelling is bad) I have to starve her for 12 hrs. I asked if it was what you said and they said they did'nt think so. fingers crossed that she will be ok in the morning. She is running around playing as we speek. so very hopeful. thank you again, Jo

i have to agree woth chloe here, definetly sounds like megaoesophagus, its a horrible condition and usually young pups are discovered to have it around 7-8 weeks age. try feeding her small amounts little and often, and holding her upright for 10minutes after eating, if shes small enough walk around the house holding her as if she was a child, this should help keep some down, if the medication doesnt work definetely get her back for a 2nd opinion.

Hi Jo

That is really good news.   I am paranoid now as soon as I see a puppy that is slightly smaller or being sick I go into a state of panic.

Chloe

Just saw the reply above mine.  The advice given is what I would suggest too.  Someone had one of mine until he was 9 months old and kept him alive using this method but sadly he died christmas eve two years ago.  We all knew his prognosis was not good but the person who took him was happy to do so.

I really am praying your vets are right.

chloe

Hi again, have been to the vets again today and they gave her more anibioitic's and had a good look in her mouth ( she did'nt like it much) she thinks that she has broncitus as she is very chesty today. I have the olbus oil in the burners to help clear it. I have to take her again on thurs, But she was sleeping all afternoon and was not normal, just weezing. i am so worried that we will lose her. I have given a refund to the poeple that wanted her as i am not sure what is going on. they have been phoning every day bless them. I just want her better. i am pinning mum down just to get her some milk. as she only weighs 1.60 kg. the size of 4 week old. I am still giving her small bits of boiled chicken every 2 hours and she vomited it all this pm. then was hungry again. she is lapping water still and keeping that down. she is weeing ok. but very sleepy and dry nose.

it is with great sadness that we had little lil put to sleep today. she did have megaoesphagus, thank you for all your advise. she was 8 1/2 weeks old. thank you again Jo

Just caught this. im sorry for your little girl R.I.P little one

Aahhh poor little thing. So sorry for you. xx

She was a fighter but was so samll and frail. I had to bring her home to say goodbuy to her mum Nan and sister, she just Collapsed and i knew what the vet was telling me was right, then with a broken heart and a great Mate we sent her to the bridge. How can suck a small animal leave such a huge gap...

just read his thread, so sorry for your loss
sounds like it couldnt be helped.
you did your best for the  pup. :-(

she will be waiting at the bridge for you
with open arms im sure.

Donna

thank you very much every one. . I have just added her to the rainbow bridge, and a big thank you to all you that helped me find out what it was. thank you

so sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you

I have just read this and want to say that I am so very sorry about your loss.

Run free little one over the Bridge xxx

have just caught up with this and i feel really sad for you ... it doesn't matter how old they are they always leave a big gap when they leave ...... puppies are always so special somehow and because her life has been so short it makes it more tragic ... run free little one xxx

Hi Jo

I am sorry I have just got into work and read this. 

You have done the right thing no matter how hard it feels nows.  I just wish from the bottom of my heart I had been wrong.

Chloe

Oh thats so awful, poor little mite, its just not fair is it. Thinking of you  x