Literature Litter 2025

Ben is a very small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — more than half the size of his siblings. From the beginning, he’s had challenges. He was never able to nurse properly because liquids would come out of his nose, and for the first 7 weeks of his life, he had to be tube fed. I did this every 2-4 hours for 7 weeks until he was able to tolerate kibble.

 

Today, Ben is 11 weeks old and eats kibble like a champ! But sadly, he still can’t consume any liquids — not even water. He is currently being tube-fed water several times a day to keep him hydrated.

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💉 Diagnosis: Cricopharyngeal Achalasia

Ben was seen by an internal medicine specialist and underwent a swallow study. He was diagnosed with a rare condition called Cricopharyngeal Achalasia.

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❓ What is Cricopharyngeal Achalasia?

This condition occurs when the muscles in the throat don't function properly, preventing the upper esophageal sphincter from opening. Puppies with this disorder can swallow solid food (like kibble), but liquids aren’t substantial enough to pass through and often come back up or exit through the nose.

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💡 What’s Next for Ben?

There is a surgery that can correct this disorder! We are waiting for Ben to grow a bit older and stronger to ensure the best possible outcome when the time comes.

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❤️ Are the Other Puppies Affected?

No. Ben is the only puppy in his litter with this condition. All other puppies have been vet checked and are healthy. While breeding is never a perfect science, we’re taking responsible steps — Ben’s mom is being spayed to prevent this from happening again in the future.

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🐾 Want to Help Ben?

If you’d like to contribute toward Ben’s surgery and care, you can do so via Venmo:
@NickDWolfwood2

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Every little bit helps, and I am beyond grateful for the love and support coming Ben’s way.

If you have questions about Ben or Cricopharyngeal Achalasia, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to share his story and raise awareness for this rare condition. 💛