[JuneBugs Momma]

Originally Posted by Britster

After experiencing pancreatitis with Jackson more than once, your story is reminiscent of Jackson's symptoms. I would insist on bloodwork - at the very least it can rule out pancreatitis, especially with a breed like Yorkies predisposed to it. They can run a PSL precision or CPL test to test specifically for pancreatitis as well. I have found some vets aren't super knowledgable on the disease; some are.

For what it's worth, Jackson does not do well on chicken and rice. The rice also caused yellow type stools and rice went right through him.... he does better on a whitefish and potato type diet. Either plain potato or sweet potatoes. We usually do cod. Or boiled 99% fat free ground turkey. Chicken and rice isn't always the best for tummy issues even though so many people think it is. For some dogs it's fine, of course, but for many I see dogs that rice can actually cause more inflammation.

The Metronidazole is pretty standard, as said above, but I am wondering about the prednisone. Our internal medicine specialist was hesitant to give Jackson a steroid even after dealing with 2 months of diarrhea from him in 2018. It was going to be our very last resort. A lot of dogs with IBD do end up on a steroid but doesn't sound like you guys are there yet at all....

Me and my vet went over symptoms and he has shown none (abrupt vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, loss of appetite, lethargy and constant diarrhea). JB never had diarrhea where he was constantly going. He had intermittent soft stool (pudding-like and never watery) in-between normal stools over a period of 2-3 days, not hours, that were of normal brown color. As soon as he started the chicken & rice diet it turned the yellow color. The vet said if his diarrhea/soft stool was not of proper color from the onset then it would be questioned, but, it started after the bland diet and the color change happens often with these diets. Also with him having some mucous discharge in his last stool, he suspects some sort of infection or IBS (hence why the use of the steroid and his inflamed bum area). Impaction of anal glands was ruled out. Also, intermittent soft stool in-between normal stool is a possible sign on GI upset.

In general, he is acting his normal self and loving the chicken and rice, for unlike your Jackson, he has been tolerating the diet well. I stopped by the vet office yesterday after the rabies clinic and mentioned that JB's last soft stool was Tuesday morning (4 days). The vet said he was not worried and that is actually a good sign, for he was totally empty and now the digestion has to start all over again. It is a slow process on bland diets plus he is on the medication. Any changes for the worse will be promptly investigated.