The Further Adventures of Frodo the Faller – cured?

Well, our boy never ceases to amaze us all, including his vets. After a week on antibiotics and the eventual cessation of the horrible gurgling, wheezing, panting breathing he went back to see Nadia-the-Vet, who usually deals with him. She was very pleased with him; he had responded well and she thought the megaoesophagus had corrected itself. For the time being he will continue to eat minced meat and avoid bones until everyone is satisfied that he is fully mended.

Following a week of encouraging him to stand up at the work tops to eat – which thoroughly confused him as he has always been scolded for scouring the tops – we are now back to telling him he mustn't climb up so he's even more bewildered. Actually, he's not – he's a very bright dog and knows full well how to grab our attention. As he has a tendency to throw himself at his food we make him 'sit' and 'look at me' and 'wait' before he's praised for being a good boy and allowed to dig in. The procedure calms him down and means he doesn't bolt his food.


Feeding times are always a circus in our house. The Ocicats Monty and Winston are given their chicken wings in the conservatory. Usually, Buddy Liver Spots, Frodo the Faller and Jenna-the-Labrador are fed outdoors, the food being apportioned according to fastest absorption. Therefore Buddy Liver Spots, thirteen years old, gets his food first. Once he is established in munch mode Jenna-the-Labrador is next in line. Lastly Frodo the Faller receives and consumes his food in record time. Gentle Dominie, hindered as she is by her not-very-cooperative hind legs, is given her food in the kitchen. After she has finished the others are allowed back indoors and Buddy immediately takes up station at the conservatory door, waiting to clear up after the cats. There is much grumbling and growling but it's all top show – everyone knows that anything left over from Cats' Breakfast (or Supper) belongs to Buddy as of right.


Recently, because of Frodo's indisposition, the regime has changed. Buddy and Jenna go outside to eat as usual while frantic Frodo is kept at bay. He then eats in the kitchen – the cats still eat in the conservatory – and then remains indoors until the outside diners have finished. Bear in mind he will not go out to relieve himself until after he has eaten – his bladder is quite full in the morning! - so there are conflicting tensions. He has to watch while Dominie eats – more tension.


Then comes the Ritual of the Medication. They all have MSM, Glucosamine, Vitamin E, Omega 3 and Magnesium Citrate. Additionally, Dominie and Buddy have Bromelain (for arthritis). Frodo has Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide which are anti-epilepsy drugs, plus Taurine. They have their pills in peanut butter, though Frodo couldn't cope with that recently because of his affliction so currently has them in Benecol. After that they all settle down for a satisfying and refreshing snooze.


Around 2:30 or 3:00 pm they start creating for supper, after which there's another round of pills for Frodo. His final dose comes before bedtime. Fortunately he's not very sensitive to the timing of his medication so there's a certain amount of leeway.


So, although it seems as if Frodo is back to normal, we will not change anything in his diet until he has another x-ray in about three weeks' time . . . £££ . . . bless him!