Canine dysphagia/aspiration

Question
Dr. Fry, Please help.  Our Scottish Terrierer has developed aspiration pneumo (currently treated with SMZ-TMP and Primaxin) secondary to collateral radiation damage to her esophagus.  She had resection of squamous cell carcinoma in her nose and radiation therapy several months ago.  As a result, she can't seem to swallow water without inhaling it (and also lost her ability to bark).  Can you please advise of hydration options?  She is still young and energetic.  Ice chips?  Liquid thickening products?  Subcutaneous or IV fluids?  Feeding tube?  I know something about this in humans, but not in dogs.  Please help - our whole family would be so greatful.  
Sincerely,
Kristen (sister of "Colleen" the Scottie)  

Answer
Kristen,

You certainly can give her SQ fluids.  Dogs and cats have a lot of extra skin, so it is easy to administer the fluids right behind their neck under their skin.  The total fluid requirements for a dog are about 60 ml/kg/day.   A balanced electrolyte solution such as Norm-R, Lactated Ringers or 2.5% Dextrose in Saline can be used.   You can use the same IV bag and line until empty, just change the needle before each administration.  Unfortunately with IV fluids, the IV Catheter must be changed every 3 days.

You can also give her ice cubes to chew on or try syringing her plain pedialyte.  You can freeze low-salt chicken or beef broth as well and have her lick those cubes.  If she is eating ok, you can also add some water to her food to get more fluids into her.  There is a "nutrition shake" for dogs called Clinicare that can be given to help increase calories.

Make sure to feed her an all-natural diet that is void of any preservatives, dyes and by-products as this will also increase her overall health too.  

And I would highly recommend getting her on Transfer Factor.  This is an immune system booster which will help her naturally fight the infection and cancer as well as get extra vitamins and minerals into her to support her.   www.4tf-pets.com/testimonials.htm   
www.transferfactor.com
The TF Canine Complete is an excellent product and I would HIGHLY recommend starting her on it, and you can give 2-3 times the labeled dose to get her started.  It is a powder that can be mixed into her food and has done a lot of good for many pets.  For example, a friend of mine has had her cat on the TF Feline for chronic mouth infection and she has not had to give any antibiotics to her cat since starting the Transfer Factor a year ago and she was on antibiotics all the time before!

Best wishes,
Dr. Jennifer Fry
www.my4life.com/drfry