I’m so sorry for the loss of beautiful Kenya. She was a beautiful girl. I too cared for my mom who was a stroke survivor for 12 years. She passed away in 2014. I adopted my pit mix Ben in 2016 and he is my world. He was diagnosed with ME in August of 2022. He is 8 years old. I was told by his vet that he needed a Bailey Chair. I came home and googled it and quickly found out that they are not cheap! I am disabled and on a low fixed income and can’t afford a BC. So I’ve been doing what I can to make things easier for Ben. You’re right, this condition is definitely difficult to manage, but like you I cannot imagine my life without Ben in it. Yesterday I was on the Nextdoor app and found my miracle! Someone nearby was looking for someone to give her boy’s BC to since he no longer needed it. I didn’t ask her why he no longer needed it. For me this was an answered prayer! I got in contact with her and she brought the BC to me this morning!🙏🏼🙌🏼💙🐾 So now comes the daunting task of getting Ben to eat in this chair. If you know anything about pitbulls, then you know that they are very stubborn dogs & Ben is no exception! Just like you though I will take this one day at a time. Slow and steady wins the race. Right? Thank you so much for sharing yours and Kenya’s story and this video of the BC and food preparation, etc with me. With faith, courage, compassion and determination Ben & I will conquer this battle!💙🐾💙🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Keep your fingers crossed for us won’t you?❤️
Beautiful video, thank you. I just adopted an 8 wk. old GSD who was diagnosed with ME. Today is Day 4 and I hated having to go to work. I know that it's going to take a lot. I pray that I've got what it takes to give him what he needs. I know that I love him with all of my heart. I've taken care of some really sick animals before but this is the most challenging. My heart breaks for him.
It broke may heart too. I still get teary eyed about it. Crate training is the best way for dogs like this. Prevents them from being able to get into anything when you are out.
My greyhound has this problem. Instead of the Bailey Chair, I lay the same mat and keep his mouth open so the food will come up. It started after he recovered from Canine Streptococcus. We grind his kibbles with a ninja then add warm water. When he does regurgitates, to prevent it from passing to his upper respiratory area, thus causing pneumonia, I use my hands to keep his mouth open and the regurgitated contents won’t be swallowed or inhaled. Try lifting his food bowl by using a feeding tray. Increase his meals in smaller portions. I try to comfort him when I know he is about to regurgitate his meal. By keeping his mouth open to expel the food, it quickens the episode. Comforting him with soothing speech decreases his anxiety. Afterwards, I will feed him within an hour, but in small portions.
Lost our yellow lab yesterday to a breathing fit. We had to wait 3 weeks to go to the vet, and I kept most his throwing up down with benydryl bc I thought it was just lar par. Got to the vet and she discovered megaesophagus. She told us about sitting him on his butt and feeding him. I watched the UA-cam videos and we gave it a chance. We got 4 days without regurgitation, now that I understood what it was. We sat him on his butt, but being almost 14 years old, it was going to bust his legs. So we did the couch with holding him. Again, successful.. but then we had a really bad night we got him out of and in the morning he had a fit. We sat him up the night before for 15 mins and he would still regurgitate. We thought okay we gotta build that chair and do 20 mins but we didn't get the chance. It's different when they are young or smaller. I appreciate all the info online, bc we were able to give him some really great days, he even went on a half hour walk less than 24hrs before he passed. His esaphagus was large due to neurological shut down rather than being born with it-
Thank you. It was not easy by all means, but she is and always will be my heart dog! I have finally broken down and have gotten a new puppy. It was a hard decision for me with all things considered. I'm hoping this new puppy will fill the void now. Thank you.
Love is never easy and sometimes it is most difficult. The decision to choose life was the compassionate and caring one and you are to be applauded for making it. Companion animal relationships, I have found, are the most rewarding and valuable that we as humans can have. I would have done the same as you did and I would hope that I would have done it in such a selfless and sacrificing manner as you. Thank goodness for people like you! Thank you for publishing this video. My 11 year old cat was diagnosed with ME today. You give me strength and support for our journey into the future together. Bless you and yours.
I just lost a puppy that was suspected to have been born with this! He was 6 weeks and 3 days old! I would put him in a men’s cowboy boot so he was upright! But when I let him down he would expel his formula! I am still extremely sad about his loss! But my GOD it’s a really hard decision to make thinking how that life was going to be for him if he survived!
Truth isn’t always what we want to hear but cases like this are precisely why these dogs with “special needs” do better in homes with a stay at home parent without children or a business to worry about. Retirees and singles who can devote all their time to caring for these dogs are ideal ♥️ I consider it a blessing. My life wouldn’t have purpose if I weren’t raising these dogs ... which btw aren’t a burden whatsoever when you’ve got plenty of time to spend with them one on one. Also, if you haven’t, watch the documentary “Pet Fooled” ASAP ... NO dog should eat dog food but especially not one with this condition. I’m not surprised your vet hasn’t advised you change her diet as most are just shills for the pet food/Rx lobbies. Feed her Grade A human food like boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, pea flour, etc. It’s a must and it’s infinitely less expensive than the poison currently being peddled by the BigPet Co.’s that slowly kill our pets with cancers using the same playbook BigTobacco did. Wake up people. If you can’t trust your own food ... what makes you think you can trust pet food? Wet, dry, raw, or frozen they are ALL poisonous trash regardless of the brand or price. Take Rachel Ray for example. Do you honestly believe she feeds her dogs that burnt processed crap she put her name on? NO, she doesn’t. I know for a fact she doesn’t. Ever wonder why Oprah’s dogs eat human food? Ever wonder where the absurd idea that “human food is bad for dogs” came from? Wonder no more, the truth is out there for those who can handle it. It’s been over 15 years now and I spend 75% less the amount I did when I was an uninformed, ignorant consumer still buying pet food. Make the change today. Your dog will love it and you’ll feel so good knowing you’re giving your furby the best possible chance in life through healthy meals. Just watch how excited they get once you get rid of the poison. Those tails start wagging again at mealtime. Gone are the days of using tricks to “get them to eat” because guess what? They inherently know there’s something wrong with that food. Dogs will choose Whole Foods over pet foods every time. That’s not a coincidence.
How long did it take her to start not to fight the chair? Even tho Mia knows she gets fed here, she tries so hard to get out with all my might it is all I can do to hold her from getting out for 10 minutes
I know it can be hard keeping them in the chair. I'm a dog trainer so it didn't take long (a week maybe). You can use a harness to keep her in the chair. I have seen others do that.
You’ve inspired me to make my own video of the journey we’ve been through. I feel as thought it was a quite more difficult and confusing. And chaotic hahaa
I’m so sorry for the loss of beautiful Kenya. She was a beautiful girl.
I too cared for my mom who was a stroke survivor for 12 years. She passed away in 2014. I adopted my pit mix Ben in 2016 and he is my world. He was diagnosed with ME in August of 2022. He is 8 years old. I was told by his vet that he needed a Bailey Chair. I came home and googled it and quickly found out that they are not cheap! I am disabled and on a low fixed income and can’t afford a BC. So I’ve been doing what I can to make things easier for Ben. You’re right, this condition is definitely difficult to manage, but like you I cannot imagine my life without Ben in it. Yesterday I was on the Nextdoor app and found my miracle! Someone nearby was looking for someone to give her boy’s BC to since he no longer needed it. I didn’t ask her why he no longer needed it. For me this was an answered prayer! I got in contact with her and she brought the BC to me this morning!🙏🏼🙌🏼💙🐾
So now comes the daunting task of getting Ben to eat in this chair. If you know anything about pitbulls, then you know that they are very stubborn dogs & Ben is no exception! Just like you though I will take this one day at a time. Slow and steady wins the race. Right?
Thank you so much for sharing yours and Kenya’s story and this video of the BC and food preparation, etc with me. With faith, courage, compassion and determination Ben & I will conquer this battle!💙🐾💙🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Keep your fingers crossed for us won’t you?❤️
Im so happy to hear you got the BC for Ben. It is a full time job for sure. I still miss her though. Hope everything is going well for you now.
Beautiful video, thank you. I just adopted an 8 wk. old GSD who was diagnosed with ME. Today is Day 4 and I hated having to go to work. I know that it's going to take a lot. I pray that I've got what it takes to give him what he needs. I know that I love him with all of my heart. I've taken care of some really sick animals before but this is the most challenging. My heart breaks for him.
It broke may heart too. I still get teary eyed about it. Crate training is the best way for dogs like this. Prevents them from being able to get into anything when you are out.
My greyhound has this problem. Instead of the Bailey Chair, I lay the same mat and keep his mouth open so the food will come up. It started after he recovered from Canine Streptococcus. We grind his kibbles with a ninja then add warm water. When he does regurgitates, to prevent it from passing to his upper respiratory area, thus causing pneumonia, I use my hands to keep his mouth open and the regurgitated contents won’t be swallowed or inhaled. Try lifting his food bowl by using a feeding tray. Increase his meals in smaller portions. I try to comfort him when I know he is about to regurgitate his meal. By keeping his mouth open to expel the food, it quickens the episode. Comforting him with soothing speech decreases his anxiety. Afterwards, I will feed him within an hour, but in small portions.
Lost our yellow lab yesterday to a breathing fit. We had to wait 3 weeks to go to the vet, and I kept most his throwing up down with benydryl bc I thought it was just lar par. Got to the vet and she discovered megaesophagus. She told us about sitting him on his butt and feeding him. I watched the UA-cam videos and we gave it a chance. We got 4 days without regurgitation, now that I understood what it was. We sat him on his butt, but being almost 14 years old, it was going to bust his legs. So we did the couch with holding him. Again, successful.. but then we had a really bad night we got him out of and in the morning he had a fit. We sat him up the night before for 15 mins and he would still regurgitate. We thought okay we gotta build that chair and do 20 mins but we didn't get the chance. It's different when they are young or smaller. I appreciate all the info online, bc we were able to give him some really great days, he even went on a half hour walk less than 24hrs before he passed. His esaphagus was large due to neurological shut down rather than being born with it-
I’m so sorry to hear this. Sorry for your loss. I understand. 🌹
You are amazing
Thank you. It was not easy by all means, but she is and always will be my heart dog! I have finally broken down and have gotten a new puppy. It was a hard decision for me with all things considered. I'm hoping this new puppy will fill the void now. Thank you.
Thank you. It was not easy, but she was and is my heart dog forever.
Love is never easy and sometimes it is most difficult. The decision to choose life was the compassionate and caring one and you are to be applauded for making it. Companion animal relationships, I have found, are the most rewarding and valuable that we as humans can have. I would have done the same as you did and I would hope that I would have done it in such a selfless and sacrificing manner as you. Thank goodness for people like you! Thank you for publishing this video. My 11 year old cat was diagnosed with ME today. You give me strength and support for our journey into the future together. Bless you and yours.
I am so sorry for your loss, she was beautiful and she was lucky to have you too...
My 8 wks black GSD has it too :( he was not diagnosed until he’s 3 month old. He’s now 3 months old.
It is not easy. Best wishes to you. 🌹
I just lost a puppy that was suspected to have been born with this! He was 6 weeks and 3 days old! I would put him in a men’s cowboy boot so he was upright! But when I let him down he would expel his formula! I am still extremely sad about his loss! But my GOD it’s a really hard decision to make thinking how that life was going to be for him if he survived!
Wow. I understand. So sorry for your loss.
Truth isn’t always what we want to hear but cases like this are precisely why these dogs with “special needs” do better in homes with a stay at home parent without children or a business to worry about. Retirees and singles who can devote all their time to caring for these dogs are ideal ♥️ I consider it a blessing. My life wouldn’t have purpose if I weren’t raising these dogs ... which btw aren’t a burden whatsoever when you’ve got plenty of time to spend with them one on one. Also, if you haven’t, watch the documentary “Pet Fooled” ASAP ... NO dog should eat dog food but especially not one with this condition. I’m not surprised your vet hasn’t advised you change her diet as most are just shills for the pet food/Rx lobbies. Feed her Grade A human food like boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, pea flour, etc. It’s a must and it’s infinitely less expensive than the poison currently being peddled by the BigPet Co.’s that slowly kill our pets with cancers using the same playbook BigTobacco did. Wake up people. If you can’t trust your own food ... what makes you think you can trust pet food? Wet, dry, raw, or frozen they are ALL poisonous trash regardless of the brand or price. Take Rachel Ray for example. Do you honestly believe she feeds her dogs that burnt processed crap she put her name on? NO, she doesn’t. I know for a fact she doesn’t. Ever wonder why Oprah’s dogs eat human food? Ever wonder where the absurd idea that “human food is bad for dogs” came from? Wonder no more, the truth is out there for those who can handle it. It’s been over 15 years now and I spend 75% less the amount I did when I was an uninformed, ignorant consumer still buying pet food. Make the change today. Your dog will love it and you’ll feel so good knowing you’re giving your furby the best possible chance in life through healthy meals. Just watch how excited they get once you get rid of the poison. Those tails start wagging again at mealtime. Gone are the days of using tricks to “get them to eat” because guess what? They inherently know there’s something wrong with that food. Dogs will choose Whole Foods over pet foods every time. That’s not a coincidence.
We won the Pet Memory Tribute for Canine Film Festival 2017!
Very interesting point of view.
Our chihuahua puppy, MeiLee was also diagnosed with congenital Megaesophagus
How long did it take her to start not to fight the chair? Even tho Mia knows she gets fed here, she tries so hard to get out with all my might it is all I can do to hold her from getting out for 10 minutes
I know it can be hard keeping them in the chair. I'm a dog trainer so it didn't take long (a week maybe). You can use a harness to keep her in the chair. I have seen others do that.
You’ve inspired me to make my own video of the journey we’ve been through. I feel as thought it was a quite more difficult and confusing.
And chaotic hahaa