Hi Everyone,

Has anyone had any experience with IBD in dogs?

My Shih Tzu Beinn had his cruciate ligament replaced last year and lived in a playpen for 4 months, he is much better now but shortly after his surgery his bowel habits changed. I never though much of it until he started having fresh blood with his stools. At first I thought it was an internal hemorrhoid, then it just never got any better. Took him to internal medicaine specialist and he did a upper and lower scope. Turns out he had Inflammatory bowel disease. The cause I know is poorly understood. But immunity does play a part, leaving the intestine open to invasion by inflammatory cells which then interferes with the ability to digest and absorb nutrients.

The mainstay of treatment is steroids, to help inhibit the inflammatory response and reduce inflammation. I am now weaning his steroids and there is no more bleeding. Please God he will not have any more trouble. Have him on a diet of venison and potato. Because of the steroids he thinks he could eat a horse and chase its rider.

I think stress this year for him has made it more difficult. He had a major GI bleed and was in intensive care for three nights.

My pocket book took a beating but I love that boy with all my heart.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

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