Adopted Dogs · Happy Endings · Rainbow Bridge Memorials
Ahoy there Matey...& yes, it is Matey, with a long "a". Matey is a 5 month old female purebred golden retriever that has recently joined the RAGOM family. She has been with us for a couple weeks now, while we were trying to get to know each other & figure out her medical issues. Matey is a very special little girl. She came from a family in northern Minnesota where she was supposed to be a mascot at a campground. Unfortunately, though, Matey has some swallowing issues and was referred to the University and was thusly surrendered to RAGOM instead.
Matey met our clan without any issues at all. In fact, she has become the family clown, keeping us entertained with her puppylike antics. She gets along great with our 5 goldens (one of which is Bo 09-300) & our 3 kids (ages 7, 13, & 16). She LOVES to play with Bo, her partner in crime, and play, play, play they do. Matey has not been exposed to cats yet, is mostly but not completely potty trained, kennel trained (settles nicely when in but needs a little coersion to go in), doesn't seem to have any issues with separation or thunderstorms, and is up to date on vaccinations and is microchipped.
Now for the complicated part...Matey has some swallowing issues...she gags on water and regurgitates the majority of her food. Thus to get keep hydrated Matey eats ice cubes instead. When Matey first came to us we tried a few things...thickening her water, raising her food dishes, but no avail, so off to the vet we went. The xrays didn't show any abnormalities so Matey was started on a medication trial. She was given Reglan 30 minutes before each meal to try to relax her esophagus, but unfortunately that didn't help either. Don't get me wrong...Matey is growing & gaining weight (she's up to 38 pounds) but she takes the round about way of getting her food down. She eats her food but then regurgitates the majority of it, which she then eats, and regurgitates and then finally eats and keeps down. So off to the University we go. There Matey had a test called an esophagram where they watched her under xray while she was eating and drinking. This showed that water and food have a hard time passing through her pharynx (the area in the back of her throat that connects the mouth and the esophagus). Once enough accumulates there the material will then pass to the esophagus. And even when it gets there the motility is still slow. This is most likely an issue that she was born with, with the muscles and/or nerves to that area not developing properly.
So now what?? Surgery is not an option, thus Matey will need a forever family that understands this will be a lifelong medical issue for her. Management will be on how Matey is fed...ice chips, preferably from an elevated water bowl...feeding Matey small, frequent meals, preferrably from a flat bowl rather than the typical round one and trying to keep her upright for 10 to 15 minutes after a feeding. If she doesn't improve with the dietary management, then drug therapy may be necessary. The good news is that Matey does great with treats. We make her sit nicely when she gets treats, so I think keeping her upright definitely helps. We have also tried putting her food in a cupcake tin recently so that she has to take a little bit from each section and that has also helped tremendously...no more regurgitation YEAH!!
If you are interested in this special little girl please contact your placement coordinator.
Matey has moved to her new foster home. Her previous family had some pressing family matters so felt it was better for Matey to move. She has been here a week and has settled in nicely to the routine here. She loves my Grizzly Bear (Fabio 10 157). And he loves her! They follow each other around the yard.
Matey is a very calm young dog. She can get the puppy 'zoomies' but is also content to lie around with the rest of the dogs or to play by herself. Her previous foster family sent along a stuffed teddy bear which appears to be her favorite. She will throw it in the air and then roll around on her back pretending, no doubt, that she has captured her prey! It is a hoot to watch!
Matey has a genetic swallowing defect but has adapted really well. She eats standing on her two hind legs. I place the food bowl on the back of the sofa and she puts her front paws up and eats her food. No problem! She has more difficulty with liquids so eats ice chips from a bowl rather than drinking water. Matey loves her ice chips! I am feeding her 4 times a day to see if she can put on a few pounds. Matey is at that long legged awkward puppy stage and so is on the thin side from that as well. The way this girl chows, I don't think it will take long!
Sure-this little girl is a special needs pup and it will take a special family to adopt her. But she is in all other ways a normal, happy, well adjusted dog that is a joy to have around. Oh--and I forgot to thank the previous little foster siblings that painted Matey's toenails such a pretty pink! Adorable!
If you are interested in meeting Matey, join us at Goldzilla or contact your Placement advisor.
Well, I've learned a few things about this little darlin' and am much more relaxed about her eating and drinking. We have figured out a routine so that she doesn't regurgitate her food. If she eats too fast, she will but I hold the bowl and control how fast she eats. Drinking is where she coughs the most. But the vet said that as long as she is drinking clean water or ice from the tap, her body will absorb any that happens to trickle into her lungs. She coughs it all out and has not had a problem. With this routine, she is an easy puppy.
She will not be able to drink water she finds outdoors or in a lake. Any bacteria that gets into her lungs from that can cause the pneumonia. Despite all this she is a happy, playful and snuggly puppy! I can't believe how calm she is indoors. She will toss a toy around for herself but is not obnoxious. Outdoors is where she tears around and how appropriate is that?? She gets the zoomies and just flies with the other dogs chasing her. She likes to play fetch with you or just toss it herself. You couldn't ask for a better puppy!
And then in the evening, she comes up to snuggle and actually tucks her head into your body. It's so adorable. She is crated when I am away as she still chews. She likes my socks so those are always put up now :). She is not crated at night but all the dogs are gated in my bedroom and she does fine sleeping on the floor, the bed or a big chair.
The vet says she will be a small Golden and with her swallowing will do much better with a life in the city. No lake homes or cabins. She would love to be a running partner, walk the trails and go to the dog park with you. If you live in a town home, she's the dog for you!
You can meet her at Goldzilla. We'd love to see you!
