Meko - Newborn

We have very sad news about Meko. He had a genetic problem that would have caused him health issues his entire life, and surgery was not possible to help out this little guy. Read below for more details.

Meko (at about 6-7 weeks old) has started to eat part solid food which has brought to the surface a problem. He has started gurgle when breathing, and we thought it was a minor reparatory infection, but when he was taken to the vet they ran a barium test and determined he has a congenital condition which cannot be repaired surgically. He had an enlarged esophagus which causes his food to not make it fully to his stomach, and when he eats it is sitting in his esophagus. Since he has recently started to eat solid food, this has become more apparent because the motion of playing causes him to vomit up the food that has not made it to his stomach.

The vet said they have diagnosed this in adult dogs before, and what can be done is to feed the dog upright so gravity works the food in to his stomach, then for 15-20 minutes after he has finished eating he would need to remain upright for the food to make it to his stomach. However, the vet also noted that the adult dogs who have been diagnosed with this condition usually end up dying of pneumonia because throughout their life the particles of food that get caught in their esophagus end up being inhaled in to their lungs causing repeated infections. Meko's condition was more severe that most because in addition the aforementioned problem, the muscles attached to his esophagus were incorrectly positioned also. Sometimes rescues have to make tough decisions, and this was one of the most difficult we have ever faced.

This little boy and his sister were born around Jan 20 before coming to our rescue. He is the smallest of the two newborns. He is a blue and white little guy. His mom was a little aggressive when she was cleaning him and caused an infection in his penis which caused it to want to close shut. He was just getting over this problem when the above issues started to appear.

This little boy and 14 other dogs were part of a rescue effort between the Kearney NE Humane society, the Nebraska IG Rescue, and the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska IG Rescue ended up taking 11 of the 14 Italian Greyhounds, and 3 stayed with the Kearney Humane society. You can read more about at the following website.

http://www.kearneyhub.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19255013&BRD=268&PAG=461&dept_id=577571&rfi=6

If you would like to make a donation to help the IGs please send an email and we will let you know how to help.