Gus has a rough two days – severe vomiting and regurgitation starting at noon Wednesday, it was intense and alarming. Fortunately, we had an appointment with Dr. Fariello. I came in offering my research into Gus’s condition and my thoughts about gastroenteritis.

During the snowstorm, we let Gus out into the pasture – there was so much snow on the ground I thought he would be safe from the many things he eats. That might have been a mistake, the wrong food can set off his intestinal troubles.

She listened, but said she was certain Gus did have megaesophagus and she was certain he also had gastroenteritis as well. The two were linked together. We told her that we found some sheep waste pellets in his vomiting and she said it was quite likely that this set off the latest round of spitting up food and bile.

We had a good talk about Gus’s condition, she said it was true that he was not a typical megaesophagus patient, it was also true that Boston Terriers rarely got this disease. She knew his symptoms were also atypical, but she said the disease is very individualistic and modern medicine just didn’t know a great deal about it.

She suggested we stay on our course – which was working well until yesterday. She also gave him another acupuncture treatment, and this one was amazing, some of the needles actually moved around in a circle, a sign his body was reacting to the treatment. I had never seen that before.

So once again we learn there are no miracles here. Gus might grow out of the disease, it might just go away one day, or it might simmer or get worse. You have to get used to the unpredictability, she said, that was our future with Gus. We will be feeding him small amounts four times a day.

His weight is stable, a very good sign, that means his body is getting the nutrition it needs, which is often not the case with megaesophagus. She urged me to continue my research and said we were both learning a lot together.

The last two days were rough, and Maria and crashed a bit, but that is part of this also. We are committed to Gus and his treatment, nothing that has happened has pushed either of us to the edge or made us want to quit on him. We have no intension of giving him away, or even considering it.

I will have to be more vigilant than I’m used to being with my dogs. I suggested to Dr. Fariello that we put a soft muzzle on Gus when we go outside, and especially to the pasture (or anywhere around chickens and sheep) she thought it was a great idea, one is coming tomorrow.

That way, Gus can remain a farm dog and be part of our family naturally,  he won’t have to be a shut-in and he’ll get the exercise he needs and craves.

Once again, she thought our feeding arrangements were appropriate and, up until yesterday, effective. She saw no need for a Bailey Chair or other custom-made eating equipment. Neither do we. As with almost anything, it might come later.

She wants to do another X-ray in a few weeks to see if there are any changes to Gus’s esophagus. His, she said, was no nearly as bad as some.

Once again, the acupuncture treatment had a marked impact on Gus. I believe in it.

He calmed down, and seemed to settle down. No incidents this afternoon. I guess the lesson is that Gus has both megaesophagus and gastric issues from the megeasophagus. His stomach is continuously being upset. More to learn.

Gus is doing well again this evening, setting down. I think our protocol is on the right track.

We are learning to be steady, this is new terrain for both of us and we mean to handle it well.