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Old 10-23-2010, 04:30 PM   #1
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Default Chronic digestive upsets - any advice?

Hi,

This is my first post on the forum, but I've been searching YT for advice for many months. My doggie, Yoshi, is a Biewer Yorkie, 2 years old and 6.4 lbs. I am wondering if anyone can help us solve the mystery of Yoshi's digestive problems.

Since he was about one year old, Yoshi had chronic stomach upsets. The earlier ones were vomiting episodes, and the later ones were a mix of diarrhea and vomiting. After every episode until the last one, the doctor put him on metronidazole, and it helped. Last episode started at the end of August, and we are still dealing with it. He had intermittent diarrhea and vomiting, and he was put on metronidazole (0.9 ml of liquid twice a day) for two weeks. A few days after he finished the treatment, he started having diarrhea again.

So we went back to the vet, who put him on Tylan powder (1/8th of a teaspoon twice a day). His diarrhea cleared right up, and he was a normal healthy dog for two weeks. But yesterday, he threw up a little of his food, and today he threw up three times (before I gave him Cerenia). At this point, I have no idea what it is he might be reacting to.

As far as diagnostic tests, he had a complete panel done, and recently (after he started Tylan), he had a GI panel done, and everything always came back normal. He also had fecal tests, and they came back negative as well.

I am feeding him Wellness Simple Food Solutions Lamb & Rice (canned) mixed with some boiled white rice. The vet wanted me to start feeding him Ultra Z/d, but when I read the ingredient list, I was horrified (especially the dry food - it has both BHA and ethoxyquin!). So I decided to try this Wellness food and see what happens. Prior to this, he's been on Natural Balance Ultra Premium, on Blue Buffalo, and on Wellness canned food. I did feed him boiled chicken and white rice for three weeks at some point, but he started throwing up on that, too.

All through this, his appetite has been ravenous - I am always happy about this, but now I'm starting to think that it might be a symptom. Also, we have moved around quite a lot, so I am starting to think that this might be emotional, but I have no idea on how to deal with it if it is...

Sorry for such a long post, but I'd love to get any advice or hypotheses as to what could be causing all these upsets. Thanks for reading!
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Old 10-24-2010, 09:30 AM   #2
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Default Update: ER Vet visit last night

Update: Yoshi threw up two more times last night after I gave him Cerenia, so we took him to an emergency animal hospital. There, the vet supposed that he might have IBD, and suggested that we start diagnostics (abdominal ultrasound, and then probably either an endoscopy or a GI biopsy surgery). I would hate to do this to such a young and otherwise healthy dog, but what are my options??

They gave him fluids, a shot of Cerenia, and a shot of Zantac. I withheld food and water for 5 hours, and then gave him a smaller portion of his food with Tylan and a little bit of Pedialyte. After I took him on a short walk, he threw up a little. The receptionist at the emergency vet said to monitor him and call back if he throws up again.

I am worried sick, especially since I have to go to work tomorrow, and I hate leaving him when he's not feeling well.
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Old 10-24-2010, 05:04 PM   #3
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I'm so sorry for all your troubles! Bailey has problems like this off and on. I'm diligent with canned organic pumpkin and his supplements. That's what helps him.

p.s. welcome to YorkieTalk
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Old 10-24-2010, 05:16 PM   #4
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I can just tell you what I have been through. I have a 15 year old IG that would have digestive upsets for time to time and everytime she was checked out by the vet, it appeared nothing was wrong. She had gotten picky and was slowly losing weight. By the time I took her to an internist she was quite thin. After more extensive bloodwork and an endoscopy she was diagnosed with irritable bowel disease due to food allergy. Her vet put her on prednisone, mitirzapin, and she gets B12 shots once a month (which I give). The vet also had me feed her ZD too, because it has hydrolized protein and a protein source is usually the cause of food allergies.

Gracie started eating well, and I did feed her the ZD. I also only fed her the ZD. She started to gain a little weight, had no diarrhea and no vomiting. I was extremely careful to make sure she got nothing, absolutely nothing besides the ZD. I found out Science Diet also made a hypoallergenic treat and I got that for her too.

After doing more of my own research, I decided the protein she was most likely to be allergic to was chicken. I have almost always fed chicken to the dogs in their food and I might have tried a beef or lamb once in a rare while, but it wasn't likely the problem protein. Feeding one protein source to dogs can result in a food allergy developing.

As Gracie started getting tired of the ZD, I decided to switch her to a raw diet. I was feeding her Nature Variety raw beef for a while, and she ate it like crazy and really put on the weight. Recently, I switched her to Primal Raw beef and I just got the lamb too. I want to feed more than one protein source. I am really careful about what they get. There is nothing with chicken in it for the dogs to eat around here and I am VERY, VERY careful about that. Gracie has gained more than her best previous weight and looks really good.

It sounds like your vet may be thinking food allergy too. I would consider what I had been feeding my dog, then decide on a protein source you haven't fed or fed much of and go with that. Make sure NOTHING you give your dog has anything but that protein source. If doing that doesn't make a difference, try a different protein source and see if that one will make a difference.

The only reason I fed the ZD was that I was thrilled my dog actually ate something for more than one or two meals. She looks great now and is eating the Primal raw really well.

I have a friend with an IG that had stomach issues. She had a veterinarian come in to where she worked who told her that sometimes putting the dog on prozac helped. She asked her vet about it, put BiBi on it and she has been fine since.

Don't know if any of this will help you out, but I wish you luck. It's frustrating trying to figure out what is going on sometimes. I'll keep you baby in my thoughts. Please let us know how he is doing.
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Old 10-24-2010, 05:20 PM   #5
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Welcome to YT! It sounds like he may have IBD or another digestive disorder. Many of us who have Yorkies with digestive issues have had great luck consulting with Susan Davis in CA (phone consultation). She is a pet nutritionist.

It sounds like some probiotics, digestive enzymes and a specialized diet may be in order. Lamb can be high in fat and difficult to digest. White rice can also be hard ona sensitive tummy. For those with digestive issues, very easy to digest proteins and foods without any grains can be a key in getting it under control. Generally white fish (talapia) is an easy to digest protein.

Here is Susan's website if you'd care to take a look...
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Old 10-24-2010, 05:26 PM   #6
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Max had some similar issues. Lamb is kind of fatty for a dog who is having these type of issues. Max now eats Wellness Simple Solutions Duck & Rice only; kibble and canned. I also use a digestive enzyme which I feel is the real reason he has been doing well. I've cut out any fatty treats such as bully sticks, cheese and peanut butter. He only gets fruit or veggie based treats. Try the probiotics and digestive enzyme.
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Old 10-24-2010, 05:31 PM   #7
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I tell you this story sounds very familiar. I have three Yorkies and two of mine have had the same problems, although not at the same times. We would go back and forth to the vet and do Cerenia for vomiting and Amforal. I would say between the two we have repeated this cycle at least 10 times. Our vet always put them on Purina EN when this happens. The last episode we had, he said lets just keep all of them on the Purina EN and see how they do. Well this was 6 months ago and we haven't had one episode since then. Funny that three of the foods, Wellness, Natural balance and Blue Buffalo were ones that I had tried also. In fact the Blue Buffalo, was what I was feeding our very last episode before the switch. I do know the ingredients of the Purina aren't the greatest of quality, but they are all healthy and haven't had to make a run to vet for anything other than another bag of the food.
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Old 10-25-2010, 06:20 AM   #8
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this sounds like IBD; my dog couldn't tolerate any dog food. so i fed her boiled ground turkey (99% fat free) and oatmeal for 5 months; then switched her to aunt jeni's food. with some probiotic, omega 3 and digestive enzymes she's doing great. thank goodness.
you can try the bland diet of turkey and oatmeal to see if it will help. good luck
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Old 10-25-2010, 06:33 AM   #9
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I have a pup on Ultra Z/D and he is doing terrific! I see a lot of people saying that Hill's foods are not good, in spite of the fact that there is nothing to say that their foods are harming dogs and in spite of the fact that they do very thorough studies on their food. More than most companies! The ironic part of it all is that many people who are afraid to use Hills have the sickest pups.
Just my thoughts. I know plenty of people on YT will disagree; but my guess is more will agree. Whether they will put it in writing or not is another story.
As for nutritionists....the only ones I would use are those certified in veterinary medicine! One I have used is at Texas A&M.
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Old 10-25-2010, 04:28 PM   #10
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Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind words and support! I think I have aged by several years in the last two months, with Yoshi going to the vet basically every weekend either for new/old problems or for diagnostics.

Update on Yoshi: He is feeling much better - no throwing up for more than 24 hours and a nice hard poop in the morning: yay! (I am still amazed how a good poop from him makes my day!)

I do feel at times that I am overmedicating my doggie - right now the kitchen counter is full of his meds: Tylan, Reglan, Zantac, Panacur (the ER vet decided that it wouldn't hurt to de-worm him), probiotics. Besides Panacur, the vet did not have an exit strategy for any of the drugs.

Thank you also for your advice on the diet. The vet suggested that I stick with whatever food I picked for about 8-12 weeks to see if it works, so I think I'll follow her advice for now... but I'll come back and re-read all your good advice if the Wellness food I picked does not work out.

Lizzie07, LuvMySissy, teffiemoore, Ally173 - since your dogs have been diagnosed with IBD, what were the diagnostic tests that you had to go through? The ER vet suggested we start with the ultrasound - has that given a conclusive diagnosis for any of you? I feel that if we are going to end up doing an endoscopy anyway, then why waste time doing the ultrasound?

Thanks again for all your replies - it's comforting to know that we are not alone in this!
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Old 10-26-2010, 05:28 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi-mama View Post
Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind words and support! I think I have aged by several years in the last two months, with Yoshi going to the vet basically every weekend either for new/old problems or for diagnostics.

Update on Yoshi: He is feeling much better - no throwing up for more than 24 hours and a nice hard poop in the morning: yay! (I am still amazed how a good poop from him makes my day!)

I do feel at times that I am overmedicating my doggie - right now the kitchen counter is full of his meds: Tylan, Reglan, Zantac, Panacur (the ER vet decided that it wouldn't hurt to de-worm him), probiotics. Besides Panacur, the vet did not have an exit strategy for any of the drugs.

Thank you also for your advice on the diet. The vet suggested that I stick with whatever food I picked for about 8-12 weeks to see if it works, so I think I'll follow her advice for now... but I'll come back and re-read all your good advice if the Wellness food I picked does not work out.

Lizzie07, LuvMySissy, teffiemoore, Ally173 - since your dogs have been diagnosed with IBD, what were the diagnostic tests that you had to go through? The ER vet suggested we start with the ultrasound - has that given a conclusive diagnosis for any of you? I feel that if we are going to end up doing an endoscopy anyway, then why waste time doing the ultrasound?

Thanks again for all your replies - it's comforting to know that we are not alone in this!
glad ur dog is doing better; how long do you have to give the panacur.
my dog was diagnosed with an endoscopy and biopsy.
ultrasound will not diagnose the IBD; a biopsy is needed via an endoscopy.
if this is IBD then a change in diet in necessary; what helped ava since she couldn't tolerate any dog food is a bland diet; of ground turkey and oatmeal. and after few months i switched her to aunt jeni's homemade food; it's supposed to be fed raw but i cook it. and lastly probiotics are crucial for any digestive disease. good luck
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Old 10-26-2010, 08:19 AM   #12
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I took Gracie to an internist, and on the initial visit they did a physical examination, vetscan (ultrasound), CBC, urinalysis, pancreatic lipase (PLI), Trypsinogen (Canine TLI), B12/Folate. This came from her discharge summary and under comments, he wrote, "Her loss of appetite/picky appetite over the last year may be related to gastrointestinal issues (intestinal tract or pancreas) so we are running some specific tests to help determine if this may be the case. Once her tests results return, other tests may be suggested such as an endoscopy procedure should the blood tests suggest that she is having a problem absorbing nutrients from her diet." Gracie's B12 and folate levels were low, so the endoscopy was done. The comments from the endoscopy were: "Gracie has an irregular thickened area of the small intestines about 15cm beyond the outlet of the stomach. We were unable to identify any irregularity in this area on ultrasound prior to endoscopy. We were unable to pass the endoscope past this narrowed region. We did get several biopsies and should have a report early next week regarding the nature of these changes. She was deficient in both vitamin B12 and folate on the previous bloodwork and this indicates an inability to absorb nutrients normal from both the early and late small intestines."

So basically, the bloodwork did indicate a problem, the ultrasound found nothing, but I imagine it was used to rule out a blockage or something in the intestines, and the endoscopy and biopsies were necessary for her diagnosis. And it was IBD. I hope this helps.

Gracie wasn't vomiting and having diarrhea a lot, but more often than any of the other dogs, and she was losing weight and had become an EXTREMELY picky eater. I was having a very hard time getting her to eat and finding something for her to eat. My regular vet had done routine bloodwork, but it was normal and she kept telling me to give Gracie pepcid.
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Old 10-30-2010, 05:47 PM   #13
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Just to clarify, Sissy doesn't have IBD - she has Protein Losing Enteropathy. She was diagnosed through bloodwork and ultrasound.

IMHO - an endoscopy would be the absolutely last resort I would do. You have the risk of anesthesia in an already immune compromised baby. The only thing the endoscopy will do is confirm a diagnosis. It doesn't change the treatment plan. I would rather go with diet changes and supplements first.

Your baby may need Tylan on a long-term basis, but I would question the other drugs. Most with IBD are given Pepcid rather than Zantac. The probiotic should be continued and a dietary enzyme would be very helpful in this case also. I would still highly suggest a consultation with a nutritionist.
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