Got a new puppy for Christmas, a Welsh Corgi named Elizabeth. She's about 12 weeks old and cute as can be. My wife and I just love her.

On New Year's Eve she started acting ill, and by New Year's Day we were at the emergency animal hospital. She was diagnosed with pnemonia, which she got as a result of a birth defect known as Megaesophagus. Apparently it is an abnormally large esophagus with little muscle tone to help move food down to the stomach. There are varying degrees of severity, but in many cases since the food is not headed to the stomach as it should be it can be inhaled and cause pnemonia.

I've done lots of research online, read up on the disorder. Seems that this affects mostly Labs, Schnauzers and Irish Setters, although any dog can have it. There are also varying degrees of sucess with feeding using elevated food dishes to ensure the food goes down the throat with the aid of gravity, etc.

I was just hoping to get a story from someone who has experienced this and can tell me that their pooch had a good long life even with the disorder, and that with proper diet and care it can be overcome.

I have not had any experience with Mega-esophagus but that little darlin' and the two of you will be in my prayers for a long and happy life together.

She certainly is a cutie and it's easy to see why you love her so much. I know nothing about the disorder either, but I sincerely hope that you do find someone that can help and that she lives a long and happy life.

Hi EBone, Elizabeth is still young. You will need to think about this very soon.

At this age, the most likely problem is a persistent right aortic arch
compressing the esophagus and preventing solid food from passing through.
This problem typically shows up about the time a puppy is weaned, since
liquids can make it through the esophagus with no problem.

The right aortic arch (an embryonic structure) crosses over the esophagus,
so if it develops instead of the left aortic arch, the esophagus is
compressed.

It is important to try to fix this problem as quickly as possible because
the damage to the esophagus that occurs as food tries to make it through
the obstruction may be permanent. The only cure that I know of is surgery
to remove the constriction from the aortic arch. If there is already damage
to the esophagus the dog may require soft foods or small frequent feedings
for life.

It is not uncommon for puppies with this problem to develop inhalation
pneumonia, which you've already found.

There are other reasons for esophageal strictures in puppies and
megaesophagus does occur congenitally. It is important to quickly sort
through all these possible causes, so consider asking your vet for referral
to a specialist quickly, if that is necessary. Don't wait if you have decided to keep her.

Hope this helps!

5S Dude, good on ya for providing some sound advice.

Good luck on this one and I hope you can help her. She's precious.

Mine is not a story with a happy ending. Keep in mind that this was thirty years ago. My first Great Dane could have had this very problem. I was not given that name for it. I was told she had probably had a hole in her esophagus. The first vet simply and bluntly told me to put her down. I was dumbfounded to discover that they had not one box of Kleenex in their entire office. I was a wreck but had enough sense to get a second opinion. I never went back to that vet.

The second vet was willing to help me give my girl a chance. He thought that if we got some growth going on that the hole would be insignificant. I started feeding her with a tube I slipped down her throat. She was a trooper, but she got pneumonia and she was too weak to survive. It broke my heart but I don't regret the effort to save her.

This left me with a firm conviction that if it is ever a life and death question, or of a serious nature, it's good to get a second opinion. Good luck with your darling and remember to let us know how she does.

Ebone:

You need to go to dog forum for advice and do a search.

http://forum.dog.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.pl?pg=topics

This site has many experienced dog owner and vet who can help you. I hope you can find a cure and good luck.

Your dog is beautiful.

What an absolutely beautiful puppy. I hope you do get her checked for possible causes that may be able to help fix it a little.

Good luck and I'll be thinking of you all.

Good luck with her. She is precious!

Is there a vet school handy to you? They often are very up to date on all the latest and greatest procedures, offer excellent care (despite what you might think about having students do some of the care) and are often quite affordable. They also have contacts to network with specialists, who might offer solutions.

Your little pup is so cute. Just wanted to let you know that I'll be sending good thoughts and prayers for her.
Like Hez said, I also think that if you have a vet school close to you it would be very helpful.

Best wishes and let us know how she's doing.

Well, my little girl ended up having a nasty bout of pnemonia, but thanks to some great vets and techs at the Veterinary Specialist Hospital in San Diego, she's made a full recovery.

The best news came after she recovered and the vets did a barium swallow xray of her esophagus. Turns out that the original diagnosis was incorrect, that there was a misread of the initial radiograph, and that she is perfectly normal. My wife and I couldn't be happier. We now know that Elizabeth will have a normal healthy life and she will be with us for a long, long time.

Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes. It has been greatly appreciated.

That's wonderful news ebone. Just wonderful.
Be sure and give that cute little girl a big ROC hug from all of us. :)

I'm so glad you gave us this update and such happy news at that! We need more photos of your little furry baby as she grows. There's not much in the world that is cuter than a corgi.

That is really great news EBone. Here's to a long and wonderful life for Elizabeth.

Well, my little girl ended up having a nasty bout of pnemonia, but thanks to some great vets and techs at the Veterinary Specialist Hospital in San Diego, she's made a full recovery.

The best news came after she recovered and the vets did a barium swallow xray of her esophagus. Turns out that the original diagnosis was incorrect, that there was a misread of the initial radiograph, and that she is perfectly normal. My wife and I couldn't be happier. We now know that Elizabeth will have a normal healthy life and she will be with us for a long, long time.

Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes. It has been greatly appreciated.

That is so awesome EBone! We know liz is in good hands now. Best wishes from a fellow doggie lover.

Ron (5S Dude)

glad to hear about your puppy doing better. did the vets have any idea what led to the aspiration pneumonia? Did you also call your breeder about the problem? I have 2 corgies myself and when I was researching the breed before getting them I didn't find any mention of that disorder. I'll post pics when I get to my home computer.

*doing a happy dance for you* :) Wonderful news!

Well, my little girl ended up having a nasty bout of pnemonia, but thanks to some great vets and techs at the Veterinary Specialist Hospital in San Diego, she's made a full recovery.

The best news came after she recovered and the vets did a barium swallow xray of her esophagus. Turns out that the original diagnosis was incorrect, that there was a misread of the initial radiograph, and that she is perfectly normal. My wife and I couldn't be happier. We now know that Elizabeth will have a normal healthy life and she will be with us for a long, long time.

Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes. It has been greatly appreciated.

I'm glad that she doesn't have megaesophagus. What great news!

Hope she continues to bring joy and smiles to your faces :D

GREAT NEWS EBone.
All our prayers have been answered.:D :D

Excellent news. And what a relief for you! I'm looking forward to seeing many pictures of her in the future!

So glad to hear the good news! Thanks for posting her update. May you have many years of joy,fun,and laughter with Elizabeth! :)