Olive

Last update 09/26/2023
Olive was diagnosed with Megaesophagus at 4 months old. ME, as it is known as, is not a single disease. Instead, it is considered a combination disorder in which the esophagus (the tube that carries food and liquid between the mouth and stomach) dilates (gets larger) and loses motility (its ability to move food into the stomach).

Olive does not present as a “normal” ME dog, she just cannot hold water down, so her owners chose to withhold water and give ice cubes periodically, causing her to have an over obsession for drinking. Olive was doing well until her owners had a baby and the baby started walking. Olive and a moving toddler were not a safe mix, so she was surrendered to rescue.

She underwent general testing and had the usual preventative care – flea/tick prevention, heartworm prevention, routine dental care, and vaccinations. Her x-rays showed an abnormality in the esophagus, which does cause her to regurgitate her food occasionally, but it’s mainly water she has trouble with. Keeping her erect for 20 minutes after eating and changing her diet to a low-fat bland diet has allowed her to keep water and food down more. Being able to drink on a regular basis has also helped her not be as obsessed with water.
Olive has a very good prognosis with water management and diet.