How do you measure a Bailey chair?

Take Measurement A (shoulder to shoulder) and add 3”- 4” (depending on if you add a cushion) and Measurement B (shoulder to bottom) and add 4”- 6”. In our case, Norbet is 7 ½” (A) by 32” (B), so I ripped a piece of plywood down to 11” x 38”.

How does a Bailey chair work?

The Bailey chair is an ingenious way of helping these dogs, by supporting them in an upright position while eating. This means gravity assists the food down into the stomach, which means less risk of regurgitation and choking.

Why do dogs need a Bailey chair?

Eating while standing up can help dogs move food down their esophagus properly. That’s where the Bailey chair comes into play: It allows a pup to sit upright while he eats.

Why is it called a Bailey chair?

It’s called a Bailey Chair, invented by Joe and Donna Koch for their own dog named (by a strange and inexplicable coincidence), Bailey. There are more dogs out there with megaesophagus than you might expect, enough to support several thriving communities on Facebook and Yahoo.

How do you train a dog to use a Bailey chair?

Place the chairs end to end, facing each other. The chairs should form an ‘H’ shape when viewed from the side. Now place the Bailey chair on one chair, with the back hard up against the chair back. Encourage the dog to jump up onto the empty chair, then praise him.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with megaesophagus?

What is the life expectancy of dogs with megaesophagus? The improvement rate for dogs with congenital megaesophagus ranges from 20 to 46%. The overall median survival time in one study of 71 dogs with generalized, secondary megaesophagus was 90 days.

Does megaesophagus get worse?

It results in generalized weakness, particularly worse after exercise. There is a medication to treat MG, and it can improve the motility of the esophagus.

At what age do dogs get megaesophagus?

Congenital megaesophagus often presents in puppies as they start to wean and is typically evident by 3 months of age. Dogs with milder disease may not present until 1 year old. Typical clinical signs include regurgitation and failure to thrive.

Can dogs with megaesophagus drink water?

Many Megaesophagus (ME) dogs (my Zoey included) cannot tolerate drinking from a bowl of water (or a lake, puddle, etc.) because the water collects in the pouches of their esophagus and quickly causes regurgitation.

Can megaesophagus go away?

There is no cure for megaesophagus in dogs and cats. Still, the condition may be manageable. Treating megaesophagus means treating the underlying cause (if there is one). It also means treating any conditions caused by the megaesophagus (like aspiration pneumonia).

How long does a dog need to stay in a Bailey chair?

20 – 30 minutes
The answer is for your dog to sit upright for 20 – 30 minutes after eating. That’s all very well but it’s mighty time-consuming to sit with the dog for over an hour a day, just holding him upright.

Is there a quick easy bailey chair?

This Quick, Easy Bailey Chair plan features two instructional images, and flexible instructions on how to make the chair that take into account the varying sizes of dogs. The instructions are fairly simplified, so they are great for intermediate or advanced woodworkers, but beginners may need some more hand-holding.

How does the bailey chair work for dogs?

The Bailey Chair props up the dog so food and water will slide down the dog’s throat so the dog will not vomit, preventing aspiration pneumonia. Measure the length of your dog as she sits on her buttocks. Write this measurement down.

Do you need a bailey chair for your Greyhound?

Owners would have to hold the dog upright ( and food) and assist them with eating every meal. When you have a 85+ pound Greyhound that is pretty much the same size as the owner, that’s not really a long term option. Enter the Bailey Chair and the project my wife wanted to build.

Can a dog with megaesophagus sit in a bailey chair?

Dogs with megaesophagus have an enlarged esophagus. This makes swallowing food difficult. Eating while in an upright position helps and the task of keeping the dog vertical is easier when the dog is sitting in a Bailey chair. This blog post is less of a detailed how to and more of showing in progress photos.