Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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

>>
>>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
>>

Poor Beinn! I think he has had more than his share and it is time for things to heal. Don't know a thing about IBD so am no help on that. I'll keep him in my prayers.

Hugs!
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Gary & the gang

Try posting on Vet board and see what kind of help you may get.

http://forums.connectedbypets.com/forum.php?catid=21

Cheryl/PHKeeer
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Give the dog probiotics--friendly bacteria. A dog's intestines depend very heavily on these, because it is much shorter than a human's, and their body posture causes things to go through them MUCH faster than through humans. I think a whole lot of irritable bowel disease is caused by a lack of friendly bacteria.

I have found with my dogs that every single one of them (cats, too) gets diarrhea after taking oral antibiotics. And the right amount of probiotics clears it up, every time.

I now have a Standard Poodle, a breed with a shorter-than-normal gastro-intestinal system, so he REALLY needs probiotics. What I give him is from the human health food store--the refrigerated section, and it comes straight home to my refrigerator. It is call Multidophilus Plus. I highly recommend that you try it. I think it will fix the problem.

Now, keep in mind that physical damage has probably been done to his intestines by this long-term inflammation, so give it time to work. But I think you should start it immediately.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thank you, I will check out the board and pick up some probiotics today.