Ava Update

Well, on Monday Ava went back to MSU to have some tests done. She has not been able to keep food or water down, so the vet wanted to do some tests. They ended up doing some sort of test called a flourostudy or something. Basically, they gave her water, soft dog food, and then kibble and watched it go down her esophagus. They wanted to see if there is a stricture at the site where the pig ear was removed and also if she is having esophagal dysfunction. When I got there to pick her up the doctor took me to watch the films that were created during the tests. As I watched the water and soft dog food tests I really couldn't see much. The doc said that the water and soft food looked like it flowed just fine to her stomach. I did see the water enter her stomach and it was quite amazing. The last films he showed me were from kibble. It was very clear as to where the trouble is happening. You could clearly see the food getting stuck in the spot where the pig ear had been stuck. You could also see the esophagus stretching in front of the stricture, which can be bad because it could stretch out permanently and its not fixable. The stricture is fixable, but the dysfunction is not. The dysfunction can be handled by feeding a certain way as long as the area that is not working doesn't get larger. So, right now I'm saving up my pennies to take her in for an endoscopy so they can look at the stricture and also check her stomach for any foreign bodies. Its probably going to cost me another $1,000 to get the stricture stretched and there is not guarantee that it will work or that it won't have to be done again. Oh, and she has lost alot of weight. The doctor was actually concerned because at the end of December (after all the horrible post surgery stuff) she weighed 91 pounds, now she is down to 75 pounds. He suggested getting her a higher calorie food. Of course, dog food companies don't list the calorie count on food bags, so the store clerk suggested a high protein, high fat food since that should mean more calories. I bought a bag of EVO, which has no grain, it is all meat (80%) and vegetables. I can't believe how expensive it is, but if it works it will be worth it. Also, the kibble size is tiny compared to Iams. I'm still soaking the food in water because she has also been dehydrated due to not keeping water down. Last night was very rough I think because of the testing. She didn't keep anything down. She has been better today but she is still vomiting periodically. Hopefully, things will turn around for her. Its been such a long road, but I'm not ready to give up on my girl.