Maggie is a delightful, animated four-year old Havanese that has MegaEsophagus, a condition in which the muscles of the esophagus lose their tone and are no longer able to propel food into the stomach. http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/disease-information/megaesophagus.html
Maggie’s family feeds her multiple small slurry-type meals while she is seated in a specially designed “Bailey Chair” which was donated to Havanese Rescue Inc. for Maggie’s use. http://www.baileychairs4dogs.com/
Maggie stays in her chair for 30 minutes after each meal to allow gravity to bring her meal down into her stomach. Maggie cannot tolerate drinking water or eating normal dog food or treats as these things can cause her to regurgitate. During regurgitation, she could aspirate food, water or saliva into her lungs causing aspiration pneumonia, so her family is ever watchful.
Maggie wears a special neck hug at night to prevent saliva from pooling in her throat, causing regurgitation. The neck hugs can be found at www.wagtailfarms.com, and they donate a portion of the proceeds to HRI when you choose our organization at check-out.
Maggie’s condition does not prevent her from charming anyone she encounters. As far as Maggie is concerned, there are no strangers -- everyone is her best friend. And she is blessed to have her own special Havanese Rescue foster family who is committed to keeping her healthy and loving her unconditionally for the rest of her life.
Maggie is being fostered in ME.