Video: Bailey Bell Rub.
Video: Good Girl Bailey.
Video: Bailey and her cat pal.
Bailey -- 3-month-old fox red female Lab 21-lbs Not yet spayed
Background: Bailey was recently purchased from a breeder... and has been diagnosed with megaesophagus (see below). Her owners do not feel they are in a position to provide the expected long-term care for her. They want what is best for Bailey. The breeder advised that they would euthanize Bailey if she was returned to them -- well that ain't happening.
What Bailey's Owner Says: An amazing dog. Eager to please and quick to learn. Crate-trained -- sleeps in crate at night and goes into crate occasionally during the day. Not yet house-broken -- work in progress. She loves to be outside. We have hired a trainer and Bailey is making great strides with voice commands, walking on leash. Well socialized with our own dogs and cats. We are taking Bailey to an internal medicine vet specialist in the near future for a full evaluation of Bailey. We have ordered a Bailey chair for her.
What Bailey's Rescue Rep Says: An absolutely delightful and very cute young dog. Any prospective adopter of this wonderful pup needs to have a solid handle on the Megaesophagus condition and an acceptance that this is likely a life-long affliction and Bailey will require special feeding arrangements. As such, Bailey is considered a special-needs dog. On a good note, Bailey gets along great with cats.
Megaesophagus: Megaesophagus (or ME, for short) is "a condition that decreases mobility in the muscles of the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and stomach. This decreased muscle function leads to esophageal dilation, or enlargement. Normally, when dogs swallow the food stimulates the muscle in the esophagus to contract, pushing the food from the mouth into the stomach. In dogs with ME, the muscles in the esophagus cannot properly coordinate this swallowing movement. As a result, food, and liquid accumulate in the esophagus, stretching it and preventing nutrients from [reaching and] being properly absorbed in the stomach. While dogs affected by ME may have an excellent quality of life, they can be difficult to manage and keep healthy. A close relationship with a veterinarian, time, patience, and understanding of the condition are needed." Regurgitation of food is common with ME dogs, and such regurgitation also increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia. The following are good links to learn more about megaesophagus:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/megaesophagus-dogs
http://caninemegaesophagusinfo.com/index.php/whatisme/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/megaesophagus
https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/what-is-megaesophagus-dogs
Bailey Chair: A Bailey chair is often used to feed dogs with ME condition. "It allows your dog to drink and eat completely vertical, which allows the food and water to get into the stomach by way of gravity."
https://www.k9megaesophagus.com/bailey-chair.html
https://www.baileychairs4dogs.com/
Medical: Bailey appears to be quite healthy except for the megaesophagus condition. Still receiving routine puppy vaccinations. Not yet spayed or chipped.
Located In: Placerville.
Please note our service area: GGLRR adopts to the greater San Francisco Bay Area.See other Labs Available
