Thanks Azz, we did have a thread running last year on Dogsey. Everyone was very kind and helpful, and I had some really good suggestions. In brief - Ed just started passing blood specks or spots, at five years old, around the end of June last year. The condition did not improve with month long courses of prednisolone, or Flagyl and Fortiflora. Our vet then did a colonoscopy, which showed two small areas of ulceration in his rectum. She said that these things were notoriously difficult to treat, and gave me the freedom to go ahead and experiment as her next step would be to take biopsies, (which could possibly make his condition worse). Since then we have tried almost all of the supplements and recommendations for canine IBD, (mainly located on US sites). He has had a course of Baytril, and is now on a fully grain free diet, supplemented with a variety of probiotics, L-glutamine, boswellia (frankincense), Vit B12 and fish oil. I keep detailed records, and although he is not cured, lately we are beginning to see an improvement - fewer days when he passes blood. (I'm typing this with my fingers crossed!). As you can tell from his photo's, Eddie is definitely not an ill dog. He is also not a typical UC case as he doe not have loose motions or sickness. He is an energetic clown who loves learning, and competes in obedience. The only concession I have made to his condition is that I reluctantly retired him from working trials (because of the long and scale jumps) - a great pity as he has a super nose!
Hi Carole, I've split your post into a new thread Did he get any relief while on the Flagyl? I ask because Flagyl(/Metronidazole) is usually the first line of defence against some microbial infections which can cause IBD/UC type symptoms. Did he have any stool tests to check for pathogenic microbes? That would be my suspicion if he is already on a grain-free species appropriate diet. Protozoa often go overlooked. MAP bacteria is often found in people with Crhons - it is zoonotic so can infect other animals too. I'd definitely give Sauerkraut a go, or cabbage rejuvenac if you can get him to drink it.
This is an article about Chronic IBD by Dr David Walker, the head of medicine at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire, which might be of interest: http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/...a3c170c375a7b310f0030a1fcd4b0ab44cb266e60dc45
No his vet has not suggested stool test yet - but I have got it on my next list of questions. I hadn't heard of the MAP bacteria so have had to Google it. Seems to be bovine in origin, I could add that to the list too! Prednisolone did not suit Eddie - he developed an insatiable thirst and peed so much that I became worried about his general health, the vet agreed and we terminated the course after 20 something days. Flagyl and Fortiflora helped by ruling out any giardia type infection, (He had already had a 7 day course of Panacur 10%). but he was still spotting on a regular basis. (He actually went worse after his colonoscopy). However, around this time his tum ceased gurgling, and he was no longer passing smelly gas. We also started the lengthy process of test feeding which has proved that he had been maize intolerant. The greatest improvement seems to have come since we reviewed the papers from Cornell (US) on the use of Baytril (enrofloxacin) on intractable HUC in Boxers and French Bulldogs. Though their samples are small, they seem to have had marked success, and suspect that there may be a causal link to E. coli. Around this time (scattergun approach) I also started giving L-glutamine, which is supposed to increase gut mucosa and may aid healing, also Protexin and Milk Thistle. (Protexin has probiotics, fecal bacteria and more L-glutamine). I also think soluble fibre is important, so he has a tablespoonful of porridge in the morning, and a little Fibogel with his veggies and grain free kibble.He is now about 50% better for frequency, and about 50% less by quantity on the days that he does bleed. We seem to go approx 4 or 5 days, and then have a little relapse. Do you make your own sauerkraut, or buy it? I can't seem to find it locally - may have to go into town. Thanks for your interest Azz. Carole.
Malka, thank you for posting the link, I have saved it. I do collect all the UC related articles, and from time to time re-read them to refresh my ageing memory.
I would definitely go for stool testing, tho tbh you need to send at least 10 samples for an 80% chance of a positive ID (according to a PubMed study I read). Also, for some infections, such as Blastocystis and Dientamoeba, the sample has to be fresh - because they degrade quickly. (Flagyl will actually give temporary relief from both these, hence asking). I strongly suspect a microbial infection in such cases. If he were human, I'd recommend a parasite cleanse. But for a dog, perhaps the best way is to starve the 'bad bugs' - perhaps that'd be done best by a RAW, grain and starch free diet. If you fancy it, try to track down a copy of the GAPS book (Gut and psychology syndrome) it's aimed at humans (and in particular looks at autism) but the theme of the book is great - I wish 'conventional medicine' paid more attention to the research discussed in it. I wouldn't bother with store bought probiotics tbh, homemade will be much, much more potent. I make my own sauerkraut, but interestingly, have found the greatest benefit from drinking cabbage rejuvenac made with red cabbage. It's easy to make I will post a thread about it in general chat - perhaps we do a bit of a trial here, get some Breedia members to make some and see if their dogs drink it
Forgot to say - stay away from store bought Sauerkrout, unless they say it is RAW it will be pasteurised... and that will actually be very bad for you as it will feed the bad microbes.
