The best place to find bizarre pet videos is on TikTok, but one, in particular, is receiving a lot of traction at the moment. It features Ash the German Shepherd eating on a high chair and has received a whopping 20 million views so far.
The viral video features a cute hound entering her very own bespoke seat backwards and being tenderly strapped inside before being softly patted by her owner.
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Although it’s obviously cute to see Ash get up from her chair to eat, there is actually a very good reason for this behaviour.
According to this video, Ash has megaesophagus, an uncommon ailment in dogs that makes it difficult for her to digest food unless she eats upright:
@ashthegermanshepherd Still a 10? 🥹 #fyp #shesa10but #sheincares
Certain dog breeds are susceptible to the congenital disease known as the megaesophagus. It could affect breeds including German Shepherds, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Greyhounds.
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This indicates that the esophagus of an affected dog lacks sufficient motility and muscle tone to transport food and liquids to the stomach.
Because of this, a dog with a megaesophagus must eat while standing up so that gravity can assist it to swallow its food.
Dogs with megaesophagus occasionally need special diets, and in certain circumstances, surgery may be necessary.
So how can you identify a megaesophagus in your dog? The most typical symptom is your dog regurgitating shortly after eating, not vomiting.
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The distinction between the two is that although vomiting typically entails a lot of noisy retching as the food comes up from the stomach, regurgitation involves the food coming up more quietly and suddenly from the esophagus.
Other warning indicators include weight loss, excessive drooling, foul breath, and in pups, poor growth; if your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, you should call your veterinarian.
Ash’s lovely films may have a tragic side, but it is commendable that she has done so much to spread awareness of this uncommon ailment. Ash, good gal!
