Rokey 15-058

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Profile

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
March 2, 2015 Not Required Yes Not Required  Yes

This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Hey it's Rokey!  He is an adorable Goldendoodle. At his wellness vet check, he weighed in at 26lbs. I am guessing when full grown, he will be a big boy. He is fluffy, but when feeling his paws and his legs, they are as thick and big as the full grown resident dogs. Rokey is all puppy. He loves the toys, loves romping with the big dogs, and is a love in general. When you sit down on the ground, he will come on over to sit by you. He definitely loves the humans. Potty training is a work in progress, but for his age, he is doing really good. He has those sharp baby teeth, and needs redirecting to a toy when gnawing on something he shouldn't be. One command he is learning quickly is sit. When we aren't able to keep full eyes on Rokey, he goes in the kennel. He makes a fuss at first but eventually settles down. He does fine in there for a full work day. Rokey needs a very special home. He was surrendered as he has megaesophagus. Megaesophagus describes a situation in which the esophagus has lost muscle tone. Shortly after eating, the dog tends to regurgitate its food. The esophagus lacks the muscle tone to move food to the stomach. Food is swallowed, but sits in the esophagus until regurgitated. Some food, particularly liquids, may pass into the stomach. To prevent regurgitation, Rokey is fed vertically in a Bailey Chair. Since his esophagus can't move the food to the stomach, gravity will do the work instead. I soften Rokey's food with water. After Rokey is done eating, he is held vertically 10 minutes. Some dogs with megaesophagus do require longer, but so far 10 minutes is working for Rokey with no regurgitation. 

This week Rokey is going to see a specialist, so we can get a better idea on how to manage this better.

 

 

 

At a Glance #15-058

Mixed Breed Born: December 2014
Male 22 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
March 2, 2015 Not Required Yes Not Required  Yes

This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Hey it's Rokey!  He is an adorable Goldendoodle. At his wellness vet check, he weighed in at 26lbs. I am guessing when full grown, he will be a big boy. He is fluffy, but when feeling his paws and his legs, they are as thick and big as the full grown resident dogs. Rokey is all puppy. He loves the toys, loves romping with the big dogs, and is a love in general. When you sit down on the ground, he will come on over to sit by you. He definitely loves the humans. Potty training is a work in progress, but for his age, he is doing really good. He has those sharp baby teeth, and needs redirecting to a toy when gnawing on something he shouldn't be. One command he is learning quickly is sit. When we aren't able to keep full eyes on Rokey, he goes in the kennel. He makes a fuss at first but eventually settles down. He does fine in there for a full work day. Rokey needs a very special home. He was surrendered as he has megaesophagus. Megaesophagus describes a situation in which the esophagus has lost muscle tone. Shortly after eating, the dog tends to regurgitate its food. The esophagus lacks the muscle tone to move food to the stomach. Food is swallowed, but sits in the esophagus until regurgitated. Some food, particularly liquids, may pass into the stomach. To prevent regurgitation, Rokey is fed vertically in a Bailey Chair. Since his esophagus can't move the food to the stomach, gravity will do the work instead. I soften Rokey's food with water. After Rokey is done eating, he is held vertically 10 minutes. Some dogs with megaesophagus do require longer, but so far 10 minutes is working for Rokey with no regurgitation. 

This week Rokey is going to see a specialist, so we can get a better idea on how to manage this better.

 

 

 

Updates

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Thank you for reading about Rokey. Since his last update, I mentioned he was going to see a specialist. RAGOM had approved to have a radiograph, endoscopy and his neuter done. 
The radiograph checked to make sure he had no evidence of aspiration pneumonia, which can be a complication in dogs with megaesophagus. The simplest definition of aspiration pneumonia is if food remains in the esophagus, it can easily get into the lungs eventually causing a lung infection. Rokey had no evidence of aspiration pneumonia at that time. An endoscopy was performed to make sure he had no masses or strictures from his lower esophagus to his stomach, that might prevent food from going into his stomach. Good news, everything looked normal for Rokey. At this time, the vet wants Rokey on Metoclopramide. This medication is used to control nausea/vomiting. It really benefits Rokey as it has pro-motility effects within the gastrointestinal tract. Another medication is Pepcid, to decrease the acidity of his stomach contents. 

Here's a video of Rokey eating http://youtu.be/06fMJYycZFsHe is so cute- he willingly goes into the Bailey Chair all by himself. Most dogs sit on the hind legs while in there, but for Rokey's size, it's easier for him to stand on his hind legs. Once he is fully grown, he should get a Bailey Chair that accommodates his size. I am currently feeding him 3 x's a day. His food is softened with water, but then I add some extra water so he can get his intake. Since he is a puppy, he is let out very often especially after eating. Potty training is still a work in progress. The accidents he has in the house, tend to be the same spots, so if I see him going to that spot, I then direct him to outside for potty. 
My boyfriend's job tends to be out of town for a few days at a time. Every time he come's home, he can't believe how much Rokey is growing. I can't tell as I constantly see Rokey. Once Rokey is fully healed from his neuter surgery, I will be taking him to the groomers, just to get a little spruced up. The other day, I did start clipping his nails, so he can get used to it being done. I was able to get his front paws clipped. 
Rokey did accumulate quite the vet bill at his visit that far exceeds his adoption fee. Rokey's vet care wouldn't be possible without RAGOM. On their donation page on this website, RAGOM best puts it: There is no amount too great or too small — all donations help a dog in need.
Take care and enjoy his cute photos!