Hi

My 7 year old labrador bitch has always had a sensitive stomach ......

About 3 years ago, about once every 10 days or so, she started not eating when offered her breakfast - you would hear loud whinings and rumblings from her tummy - later in the day she would have the runs that were more like dirty water - she would then eat her tea and go on fine again for a few days. At the time she was being fed one of the oscars feeds, and had been fine on it since a youngster.
When this started happening a couple of times a week, and she was losing condition - the vet suggested that we try various foods until we found one that appeared to suit her.

I tried Burns Brown Rice and Fish, which seemed OK at the time - but she didn't keep as much condition on her as I would have liked.
I then tried Nutro Sensitive, which seemed to work quite well. I eventually, due to the cost, got her onto Skinners Field and Trial Duck & Rice, and she was good on that for several months.

I am now kicking myself as I left it rather too late in getting a bag of this, and there was none available and i got a 'senior' food for her and one of her kennel mates (yes I did introduce over a few days!).

If it was that, I do not know, but it seems a very big coincidence as the old tummy problem all flared up again.
I put her back onto the Duck & Rice - no good
Tired raw meat - no good

Now on Nutro Sensitive again for the last 10 days or so, and has been fine - loves it and stools have been good.
Today, she has refused her tea and there is a loose motion again (although not watery)

Anyone else experienced anything like this? Any tips would be greatly appreciated

Thanks, Di

When I owned GSDs who are prone to this sort of problem I always found that Chappie original in tins and nothing else worked well and I never had a problem whilst they were on that. You could also try natural yoghurt every day that to may help. I take it that you have spoken to your vets about this problem

Always forget about the yoghurt thing - will give that a go.

Yes, I spoke to the vet the other day, who gave her a steroid injection (which he said works really well in this sort of case).
Sometimes she will vomit watery stuff. The poo sometimes can be mucous and blood (if she's having a really bad bout), and I just think it must be horrid for her..

If at any point she is vomiting and diarhea (spelling?) at the same time with any sign of blood she will have to be nil by mouth and on a drip.

I almost wonder if it's a kind of case of the human IBS.

> I almost wonder if it's a kind of case of the human IBS.

Sure it may be although I have IBS and rarely vomit also think it is sometimes a congenital or even hereditary condition that causes a reaction to 'heaven knows what'

One of mine has this sort of cycle of stomach mismanagement every couple of weeks or so, he is now 10 and it does not seem to stop him becoming over weight.

The fact these flares are fairly regular, over a lengthy period and involve both D & V I'd want my vet to diagnose the problem either by tests or working you through an ingredient exclusion diet trial.  Your girl may be intolerant to one or a large number of ingredients and any foods given including any of same could be kick starting the symptoms.

The fact that a steroid injection helped relieve the symptoms suggests an inflammatory cause and rather than Irritable Bowel Syndrom, I'd be inclined to look into this being IBD, which stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  Here is a useful LINK on that subject which may help you find a suitable feeding regime for your girl, even if IBD is not the cause.

regards, Teri