Help, I'm really worried about my dog! I've been noticing some strange issues with my furry friend, Copper, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever. Recently, he's been having this weird, almost sour smell coming from his mouth that sort of reminds me of, well, poop. It's unlike his usual doggy breath, and I'm starting to get concerned. On top of that, he seems to be struggling with swallowing sometimes, and from what I’ve read, it might be related to something called megaoesophagus? I’m not sure if I’m connecting the dots right. It’s getting hard to watch him go through this, and I'm terrified I’m missing something serious. Has anyone else experienced this with their pup? If so, what did you do? Any tips or advice would be so appreciated!
Thanks for reaching out with your concern. Dealing with megaesophagus and "poop breath" in dogs can indeed be worrisome. Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophagus becomes enlarged and loses its ability to move food to the stomach efficiently. This can cause food regurgitation, which might contribute to the unusual breath odor you're noticing.
There are a few reasons for megaesophagus. It can be congenital, meaning some dogs are born with it, or it can develop due to underlying issues like myasthenia gravis or esophageal nerve damage. The "poop breath" might be due to food sitting in the esophagus and then being regurgitated or from the inhalation of regurgitated food, which could lead to aspiration pneumonia.
At home, feeding your dog in an upright position can help gravity move the food down to the stomach more effectively. You might also consider using a specially designed chair for this purpose. Smaller, more frequent meals of a consistency that works for your dog—sometimes liquid or gruel-like—can also help.
Keep an eye out for signs like coughing, nasal discharge, or weight loss, as these can indicate complications like pneumonia. If these occur, or if the symptoms seem to worsen, it's crucial to seek veterinary attention quickly.
If you have any more questions or need further assistance, I'd recommend booking a video consult with us here at Dial A Vet. We'd be happy to help you work through this together.
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