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Published on September 29, 2007

Champ's jaws had been locked shut when his bones overgrew, the result of a disease he had inherited called craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO).

With CMO, the overgrowth starts when a dog is around seven months old, and gradually stops within three months. There is no cure for the disease itself, but usually, the condition can be treated.

Since Champ's previous owner had kept him in a cage without treatment for more than a year, he had been unable to eat very much and was close to death.

Champ awoke the day after the surgery. Although he could open his jaws almost normally, he seemed reluctant to take any food, even broth. Possibly, he was still painful.

On the following day, though, the story was completely different. He was one hungry dog! He also faced another danger - overeating after a long period of near-starvation. If he took too much food at one time, his stomach could perforate, and he'd be back to a life-threatening situation.

In such a case, he needs to be fed small amounts two to four hours a day, the way you feed a new-born puppy without a mother. Champ doesn't mind; he loves the attention and the food.

Another woman I know adopted a severely underweight puppy. Its fluffy fur hid its condition, and she didn't realise how close to death the pup was until her vet had her feel the dog's spine and ribs.

She promptly ran out and bought grilled pork, seasoned cuttlefish and chocolate biscuits. Fortunately for the pup, the biscuits didn't contain much chocolate, which acts as a poison in dogs. The other food, though, while not dangerous, isn't suitable for dogs, being too fatty and salty.

The pup, being a puppy, eagerly wolfed down its puppy food as well as any other delicacy its owner handed it. Despite the unsuitable food, it's now up to its full weight, if not a bit more.

Champ receives dog food mashed up with broth. He also enjoys hard-boiled eggs. Under 24-hour care in a temporary doggie foster home, he's enjoying the life a golden retriever is meant to have.

His brothers and sister, who were purchased by his first owner at the same time he was, have shown no sign of the disease, although they may have inherited the gene that causes CMO. The owner has been advised of the possibility that his dogs may carry this gene. He has also been asked not to breed any of the dogs, just in case the gene appears in the next generation.

Champ's foster home has agreed to take care of him for two months, and then the family will leave Thailand. By that time, though, it's hoped that he will have recovered his full strength and regained the beauty he had before he got sick.

Already a happy, friendly dog, he will make some family a very fine companion.

By Laurie rosenthal