Our vet called this afternoon after having Pip's blood test and stool test results come in.  Basically, everything is normal apart from her protein level is down and also her folate level is down - apparently this is indicative of an upper bowel problem.  He said it indicates inflammatory bowel disease type problems and has asked that I keep Pip on her Metron tablets for 2 weeks, and introduce Royal Canin hypoallergenic dry food, phasing out her Arden Grange sensitivity diet.  The RC food has a reduced size of protein molecule so is less likely to cause problems - she has to have this and NOTHING ELSE (going to have to watch my 2 year old like a hawk for this lol).

I have to call him in a weeks time to let him know how she's going then after the 2nd week if all going well keep her on this food, if not we may have to go down the gut biopsy route which we're keen to avoid for obvious reasons.

I'll keep you posted.

We're over the first hurdle - I've never given Pip a tablet just by popping it into her mouth but, bless her, she took it beautifully AND she ate the food so she got lots of pats for being such a good girlie!!!

Glad you have had some good news , hope all goes well .

glad you've got some answers at least :) i've IBD myself and i don't know if its the same for dogs but its usually managable.

Ive got IBD as well poor pup glad its a positive result nothing a bit of tlc and trial and error will cure.

Had another chat to the vet and he's now putting Pip on steroids as well for 2 weeks to see if it helps at all - she's no worse or no better than she was before and is still eating grass a lot.  I was concerned she is only doing small poos, but he said it's because she's on a low residue food without much fibre.  She does seem to get looser as the day progresses, but still not liquid (sorry!) like it was before.

He did worry me about my insurance cover though; I hadn't realised how soon these problems flared up after we got her (apparently I spoke to the vets only 3 days after we had her, so this is down on her medical history).  He's putting the start of the problems down as a bit later - when we had sickness and bad tum - and this is when I thought we started this all off, but if the insurers ask for medical history I'm not going to get anything as there's a 14 day period before you can claim.  Let's hope they don't ask or we'll be on beans on toast for the next 3 years!!!

I've got to speak again in 3 weeks time so once she's gone a week with no drugs and we can then take it further - maybe changing diet?  She's bright as a button and we had a lovely walk today and she looks so well - much better than she was.

Its a pain insurance our Border had OCD at 8 months and a total shoulder rebuild now tablets for ever and ever and no cover on the insurance, EPL only paid £1800 of £3,000 costs so we swapped to Pet Plan. We are lucky we can afford the drugs, he had one tablet but still limped so he is on double dose and seems 100% again (he is two now).
But what about people that can't afford it! if you take insurance to pay for costs, and they seem to cover you for the first occurance than set you adrift which is not fair. I pay ins. for our second dog, no problems yet, I bet people often go years without a claim so they must make a profit.

It sounds as if Pip is improving Im sure it will come under control but its a great shame you get worried added on from insurance as well as a poorly dog. I'm glad no one charted my history or I would have been shot years ago!! Im told Chappie is a very bland food not much nutricianly (sp sorry) but easily digestible.

Finger's crossed Whistler gets castrated tomorrow!! he has been a real pain so his time is up all oats have been sown that are being sown (I havent seen any sowings I must admit) his last recipiant of attention was an old male springer who was not amused. I was afraid our dog minder would not have him again so we have bitten the bullet to book him in. Im really worried but Im sure he will forgive me, all my workman have expressed their sympathy and walked quite strangley away! Funny things men!