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NEUROMUSCULAR CASE OF THE MONTH - MAY 2005
SPECIAL FEATURE–
"Bailey Chair": Feeding Chair For Dogs With Megaesophagus
Contributed by Dr Diane Shelton
Department of Pathology, University of California
San Diego.
Esophageal dilatation (megaesophagus)
and hypomotility can be caused by neuromuscular
diseases. Although acquired megaesophagus
may be found in many of these different disorders, it is most commonly
associated with myasthenia gravis and inflammatory myopathies
(myositis). Feeding in an upright position and maintaining
that position for 10-15 minutes following feeding is a cornerstone
of treatment. With some dogs, just how to go about doing this can
be a problem. There is a solution to this problem in a special chair
designed by Donna and Joe Koch (see Bailey and Daisy below). While
in this chair dogs can eat, drink, receive medications, and remain
in an upright position following a meal. A video/DVD is available
that demonstrates how to build this feeding chair. The chair is simple to
build. The chairs are not made or sold for profit,
nor is the video for sale. The only charge is $6.00 to cover
copying and mailing costs. For information on obtaining this video
contact Donna Koch by email at matthew1@earthlink.net. An excellent
support group for owners of pets with megaesophagus is available
online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/megaesophagus.
Bailey |
Daisy |
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