Here is a quote from the moderator of the Yahoo ME support group. Coincidentally this link was provided to me by the Hospital... Nobody can give you anything near to a reliable estimate to the question How many dogs with megaesophagus actually survive/live normal lives, etc? Okay, the answer obviously depends on how the question is framed (sorry, I know this isnt a deposition!) but it really does depend. Nevertheless, survival rates and megaesophagus defy specific calculations, but I can tell you certain truths. First, dont place much credibility in a numerical (percentage) answer, because the studies arent really there. Even if someone could come up with one, weve done so much to change all that in the last 10+ years that a study is outdated by the time its finished. Time was when the majority of DVMs would recommend euthanasia, because they did not know what to do over the long haul with a dog that had megaesophagus. For many dogs with megaesophagus, euthanasia eventually WAS better than slowly starving to death. Or getting serial bouts of pneumonia. Now, I get so many referrals for information that some nights I get nothing much else done but respond to requests for either the links or the DVD to be mailed. The startling thing is that about half lately seem to be referrals from the veterinary profession. Thanks to Dr. Kathys participation on VIN, to Dr. Sheltons website, and to many other articles, websites, seminars, and the like, so many DVMs are helping their newly diagnosed families find resources for HOPE. So, now can we estimate survival rates? No. Because many dogs, even most, Id say, die of something completely unrelated, and the main point is that dogs of all ages are diagnosed. So whether their megaesophagus is primary or secondary, whether they are in otherwise good health when diagnosed, whether their owners dive in with a thirst for knowledge, all of that has to be considered. What I DO know is that in most of the cases in which weve become involved, quality of life is significantly improved, and a delightful number of dogs thrive for a significant period of time. My Bailey lived just shy of 13 years with megaesophagus. He died NOT due to megaesophagus, but, rather, from lympohsarcoma (cancer) of the lungs. I hear of many others who are long-lived, too. Donna Co-moderator
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 01:01:47 +0000
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