From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2009-02-25 01:50:40 UTC
Subject: Megaesophagus Re: [ferrethealth] Digest Number 1448
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
In a message dated 02/24/09 5:59:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com writes:
Thanks Dr. Ruth, you were right.
**You're welcome - I'm sorry that you're dealing with megaesophagus, but at
least you now know what you are dealing with!**
Does anyone have any tips to share? I now know to have his neck
vertically and massage his neck, and I have heard that Zantac 75 seems
to help? Are there any other strategies I've missed?
**Vertical feeding with small amounts of liquid diets, keeping him upright
for at least ten to fifteen, and preferably 20 minutes after each meal. Small
amounts of food in each swallow is a vital component of treating this. Pepcid
AC or Zantac, I also like to use liquid carafate prior to feeding to coat the
esophageal lining as well as protect the stomach - one of the biggest problems
is damage to the esophagus. Of course, the biggest problems are the risk of
aspiration pneumonia, and the risk of malnutrition if he's not getting enough
down. Fortunately, once the food makes it to the stomach, you're pretty safe
- the trick is getting it there. Get your vet to give you antibiotics to have
on hand in case of aspiration.
Good luck - some of these guys can be successfully managed for quite a while.
Others, unfortunately, don't do as well.**
Dr. Ruth
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