Hi folks,

Can anyone offer some advice for a friend of mine?

They have a young dog who has been a tad prone to bouts of tummy problems, but not a major problem. However, around Christmas-time, he had a bout of vomiting and diarrhoea, and was given anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory injections. Since then has been on anti-biotics more or less constantly, I got an email this morning saying that he's just finished a 4 week course, and problems started again soon after, so he's back on another 4 weeks.

Don't really know what advice to offer them, apart from saying that I think it's probably time for an endoscope investigation. Faecal analysis showed nothing, but that may be to be expected when he's been on anti-biotics anyway? Vet has said that he shows signs of 'bowel disease' but will probably grow out of it?

Any advice on how logical above sounds and a way forward would be hugely appreciated. In particular, is it sensible to give anti-biotics for this long a time, I've often heard that given in excess they lose their efficiency anyway. Also, if anti-biotics are holding problems at bay, does this mean it's an infection or a 'disease', and is there a difference?

Marina

I'm having the same problem at the moment. I posted yesterday under the title 'Colitis'.

I went back to the vet today and he's prescribed another course of tablets which are half antibiotics and half steroids to reduce the inflammation in the bowels. This sounds similar to the injections you mention. He's also being given a paste to replace the bacteria in the stomach. The vet is surprised it's carrying on so long, as the current tablets are the best around at the moment, and it should have cleared up by now.

My dogs also has a sensitive tummy, and suddenly got diarrhoea and sickness last Wednesday. He does seem to improve for a while, but as soon as I feed him (small quantity of chicken) it sets off the diarroea again. I've been advised to feed him 3-4 times a day on rice (I've done the starvation bit and it didn't work), and he's been given a worming tablet just in case.

Sorry I can't offer you any advice. I just wanted to express my sympathy because it's not very nice for dog or owner, and you just wish things would get back to normal again.

Thanks Nicola, had a look at your post yesterday before I posted, but there wasn't much response - sure some of you folks out there must have some helpful advice for us ..........

(Edited, sounded rude when I read the post, didn't mean to!)

Hi Brihow, the only thing I could think of is his food/diet. If all his fecal tests are negative & after 4wks a/biotics, whatever was there should be cleared up. As it must be cos it would show up in the test. You could ask about blood tests being done as well as endoscopy, see if theres anything lurking there. Otherwise try him on light bland diet for at least a wk & then very slowly introduce his normal feed, no treats & making sure he doesnt get hold of anything he shouldn`t. Try bottled water as well. I`ve noticed some people put their dogs back on normal food after a couple days but I feel this may be too soon. Don`t think I`d like my lot to go 4wks a/b`s & then another 4wks on them! How old is he?
Christine, Spain.

Hi Christine,

He's a year old. Have asked his owner to reconfirm details of what's been done, but if memory serves the blood tests showed presence of 'bowel disease', but vet has never been clear on quite what this means. They did discuss endoscopy, but don't think the vet pushed it. I've asked for confirmation of what drugs he's on, i.e. are they just antibiotics (which is what owner is saying), or are they anti-inflammatory too.

As I say, I have no veterinary experience, but I would have expected that if a condition hasn't been cleared by antibiotics in this length of time - since Christmas - it's not going to be?

He has been on Nutro since conception ......... owner's believe he has an intolerance to either chicken or lamb, but I'm having a blonde moment and can't remember which - although litter were fed on Nutro mini (which contains both chicken and lamb) until they left me and there were no problems at all.

Re. the bland diet, he doesn't even really seem to tolerate that - don't think they've even considered reintroducing 'proper' food yet. Poor old soldier, and don't envy them either as he's a large and heavy coated Rough Collie!

M.

M.

Hi Bri, well if bowell disease has been mentioned & it`s been going on since Xmas I`d be back at the vet saying what kind & lets get going(insisting) on getting a confirmed diagnosis. At least with that you know what to treat him with. I agree with you, I can`t see a/bs working after all this time if they havn`t worked before. But then I`m not a vet either! :) Unless it`s deep rooted, but surely it would show up in the tests? He`s only young. You could get them to try the cooked fish or chicken with rice/potato anything he can tolerate. They may have to do a bit of experimenting. Oh and actimel & yoghurt & tinned unsweetened pumpkin from sainsburys. Or something homeopathic? Can`t think of anything else, sorry.
Christine, Spain.

Thanks Christine. Had emailed them about natural yoghurt earlier today, but am a bit scared to suggest anything on the food front in case it aggravates the situation! Will phone them tonight and try and get a bit more info.

M.

Hi Bri, I know, can be difficult to suggest something but I think the light diets are OK as it`s what vets suggests. These dire-rears & vomiting can be a real worry, hope he gets a diagnosis soon :) You know in the meantime if she boils any carcasses/bones, cooked or uncooked & keeps the water from them(when it goes cold she can skim the fat off) & any veg she cooks as well to give him to drink, it`s another way to get nutrients down him. Lets know what happens please.
Christine, Spain.

Has he been tested for campobactor (?sp. I think there is a L and Y in there somewhere but don't have time to look it up at the moment) as this sounds like a possibility

Christine

Was it "campylobacter" Christine?

Hi Christine,

Don't know if he's been specifically tested for Campylobacter(?), but would suspect not as test needs to be on very fresh sample and guess some vets might not have facilities? If I remember rightly, sample was sent to Glasgow for initial testing and then ongoing culture growth, but might be making that lot up :) - will ask them.

Note on the Internet that there are references to that being more prevalent in young dogs, wonder if this might be why vet suspected he'd grow out of it - could be something they see in young 'uns, don't properly diagnose, and then they do go past the stage where they're more vulnerable to it?

M.

Hi again,

Just had confirmation that he has been on a/b since New Year, and hasn't been fed anything but chicken and plain boiled rice since then! Vet has said that it is poss. that antibiotics are stopping the spread of
normally friendly bacteria to places they shouldn't be due to his digestive system not breaking down food properly, hence letting rich food (?? chicken & rice ??) pass through his system, so they're going to try the natural yoghurt route I think.

Apparently his vet says he's had dogs on a/bs for over a year with no problems - probably perfectly sensible, but sounds very strange to me - and doesn't help in getting to the bottom of the problem either. Apparently the insurance company has declined to pay for one of the a/b varieties, so they've obviously tried different ones.

I'll speak to him tonight, and see if I can get any further info.

M.

My freinds dobe pup has recovered from this, but was put on a long course of antibiotics, and will be going back for retesting, as it is a persistent bug, and acan pass between species!