Here are some thoughts:
If there comes a time when you think you and your veterinarian have tried everything possible for your ME dog to live, make sure to discuss the below in case something hasn’t been tried that could save your dogs life. The last ditch effort of placing a PEG or feeding tube needs to be done early enough that your dog has chance to survive the surgery. Waiting too long may jeopardize living through the surgery. Tubes may be placed as temporary or permanent, so again high on your .list for discussion with your veterinarian should that be a potential to try to save your dogs life.
1) Treat for Antibiotic Responsive Gastritis (aka: Antibiotic Responsive Gastrenterocolitis/Enteropathy) with Amoxicillin and Metronidazole and liquid carafate (carafate has to be given 1 hour before or 2 hours after any food or other meds).
3) Also consider treating for nausea with Cerenia – can be given orally or by injection (you can learn to give injections.
3) VERY IMPORTANT: Must be kept hydrated. Give subcutaneous fluids, at home, even if you have to overhydrate a bit. Dehydration makes all of the symptoms worse.
4) Needs to be held vertically, not just elevated.
5) If all else fails, a PEG (feeding) tube should be considered before going downhill too far. Would still need to be held vertically after feeding, but, it’s so much easier on both the owner and dog.