Help Biscuit Thrive with MegaEsophagus

Hi everyone,

I'm Jamie, and I'm raising funds for my dog Biscuit's medical expenses related to his Megaesophagus (ME). Biscuit recently had a scary episode where he was coughing and hacking (what I now know was called regurgitating). After a visit to the ER, he was diagnosed with Megaesophagus. This condition makes it difficult for him to swallow, keep weight on, retain muscle mass, and can lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia.

Since the diagnosis, our lives have completely changed. Biscuit needs special care, including daily meds, hand-fed meals, and "vertical time" after eating to prevent regurgitation. We're also awaiting test results for Myasthenia Gravis. There is a potential for Addison's Disease as his cortisol was 1.3 (generally anything lower than 2.0 can point towards Addison's), but would require additional testing to confirm.

The emotional, physical, and financial toll of caring for Biscuit has been overwhelming. I'm doing everything I can to give him the best possible care, but it's going to be a long and difficult road ahead. Only a week in, and we've spent over $2k in medical expenses out of pocket thus far (via the ER and his regular Vet).

Our regular vet wants to do follow-up chest X-rays in a few weeks to see if there's been any change to his esophagus. If he has Addisons, he will need a monthly steroid shot for the rest of his life to function properly. If he has MG (Myasthenia Gravis), he will need to get a Neurologist and then be prescribed more meds for that. Since his diagnosis, he is now taking Metroclopromide, Sulcrafate, and Omeprazole. ME requires we have smaller meals throughout the day now, so he sits next to me while I hand-fed 3 meals a day (wet food rolled up into meatballs mixed with GI support) and has to remain upright/vertical for 20-30 minutes after every meal. It's a 1.5-2.5 hour process from the time he has his medicine to the time he finishes his upright/vertical time.

He rests a lot right now, as he gets fatigued quickly and starts coughing whenever he sees pup friends or people he knows. He's a very social and happy boy usually with LOADS of energy, so it's been heartbreaking to see him cough from walking slow and have to keep his activity reduced/more isolated for the time being. He now sleeps with a neck pillow, which he seems to enjoy overall. That helps keep his head propped upright to avoid regurgitation. We're gonna keep taking one step at a time and figure it out as we go.

Any help and support for Biscuit's medical expenses would mean the world to us. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any help you can give.

Sincerely,

Jamie