You say the dog has colitis...the question is WHY? This is a long term issue now and I am sure that tests should be done to find out. That is what I am saying.
There are multiple causes for colitis....here are some links for you to read.

Colitis

From that link:

f your pet has had symptoms of colitis for one month or more, a more complete search for the actual cause of the colitis should be performed. The first step is to run a basic database. This should include blood chemistry, a white and red cell profile (a CBC), and at least one fecal test for parasites. Cats should have their viral status (feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus) confirmed. If the cat has a history of living in a crowded household, cattery, or shelter, testing for Tritrichomonas foetus infection may be in order. A test for pancreatic ability to produce digestive enzymes may also be in order. (Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a disease of the small intestine producing a diarrhea very heavy in fat, which can be confused with the mucous diarrhea of colitis.) A fecal “smear” or “cytology” test where the bacteria of the stool sample (as opposed to worm content) may be examined microscopically can help rule out pathogenic bacteria that can cause colitis (Clostridial organisms especially).





In the dog, whipworms are difficult to confirm by fecal floatation testing (this test detects worm eggs and whipworms only periodically release their eggs). It may be prudent to deworm the dog for whipworms and see if the problem resolves. In addition or instead of deworming, a course of metronidazole, sulfasalazine, or tylosin may be prescribed and/or a new diet may be recommended as a trial.

If response to a short course of simple treatment is short-lived and if blood testing reveals no explanation, then colonoscopy with biopsies will probably be necessary to reach a diagnosis. At this point common underlying causes may include infiltration of the lining of the colon with inflammatory cells as in inflammatory bowel disease or the entire problem may turn out to be more psychosomatic as in irritable bowel syndrome. The colon biopsy readily distinguishes these conditions by showing the inflammatory infiltrate in the former and normal tissue in the latter. It should be emphasized that the abbreviations "IBD" and "IBS" are often incorrectly used interchangeably. In fact, these are two completely different conditions. Please see their respective links for more details.

The other links:

Learn the Signs and Treatment of Colitis in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals

Canine Colitis - An Inflammation of the Colon in Dogs

From the second link:

Colitis is an inflammation or irritation of the colon or large intestine and, you guessed it: it commonly causes diarrhea in our furry friends.

Colitis can be acute (meaning it comes on suddenly) or chronic (lasting several weeks or longer, or recurring). There are several potential causes of colitis.

They include:

Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and Giardia
A secondary reaction to antibiotics and many other medications
Stress
Pancreatitis
Dietary intolerance or allergy
Dietary indiscretion, such as eating grass, garbarge, or people food
Bacterial infection
Viral infection
Foreign body
Inflammatory and irritable bowel disease (IBD)
Bowel cancer in older dogs
- See more at: Canine Colitis - An Inflammation of the Colon in Dogs

Lol, this sounds like a challenge lol, Nov. 13 day after I adopted him (actually I say and he is A GIFT TO ME FROM MY VET) but I did sign adoption papers. The day I took him in I collected 3 stool samples from 3 diff. times he has a bowel movement the morning of the visit, why 3? Because each bowel movement had a diff. texture, the last bowel movement was just 2 drops of blood. So stool test was made, and they drew blood, now call me ignorant, naïve, non caring, to trustful, I did NOT ask about the stool testing, she told me what she saw, all medical terminology, (Greek to me) same with the blood testing. I trust her 1000% no need for me to ask her to break down medical language into laymen language, again call me ignorant, naïve, non caring, to trustful. But I trust her. Each visit I bring in 3 stool samples from 3 diff. times in the morning . I have already posted a oriental sublament I have to give 2 times a day 12 hours apart. I know this is not answering your question, because I cannot provide the findings of the stool or blood work, again call me ignorant, naïve, non caring, to trustful. I am a PET owner, do not breed my dogs, do not sell puppies, there was never a need for me to have my vet breakdown into laymen language any testing performed on any dog that was in her care......This has nothing to do with anything, just need to say....I PRAY a new person NEVER reads my thread, if they were to, I am SURE they would NEVER ask a question on YT ....IMO

You said that I challenged your vet. You also said that I did not ask what tests were done when I said that I "suspected" none were done that would properly diagnose the cause of Cody's issues. SO I asked you....that was not a challenge. No clue why you are so defensive.

You are the one twisting things here and trust me, there are people who will read "your thread" and LEARN something from it about the things that a dog with issues like Cody has. They will learn how to be an active consumer in their pups' veterinary care and not just blindly believe one vet. Even in human medicine it is always good to be an active consumer...not just a patient who never asks questions. Sadly there are vets and doctors who are not so good....we must always be on our toes and know what is being done to and for us and also to and for our pets.

It's good you took the samples. You might just want to ask what they showed, if anything.

One of the members in another thread I had, suggested since Cody was In an area that was flooded from hurricane Sandy, he could have drank contaminated or (she used another terminology could be "clostridium Difficile" (which is colitis) from what I researched. This member said clostridium Difficile" can also be transmitted. (just to add to the above list.) Thanks for the links, more reading, more for me to worry and get sick over, but I will read them. Thank you for taking the time to post them for me,

Reposting this for the OP to remind her that SHE asked me WHY I did not ask what tests were done. SO, I asked and she called it a challenge. :rolleyes:

You are welcome. This is all I am trying to help you see....it has been a long time and it would be good to find out the cause.

Matese, I just want to remind you of your original post. You asked what vet schools were about. You also said you were wondering in the case of Cody and his colitis if this would be a good idea for him. The answer is yes. Cody needs a specialist. It is safest for him to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Three visits is not too much, but 17 months with no relief for him no matter who the vet was/is is way too long. Chinese supplements are not standard of care for colitis.

I'm sad that asking a vet what equipment they have is considered grilling here. Actually, when a client asks my vet about anesthetic protocol and such she is pleasantly surprised that the owner knows to ask those questions.

All test results should be explained in layman's terms unless they are normal.
That is the vet's job.

I understand that you may be irritated with all the posts. But please know that several of us posting here have dogs with very similar issues and they are now managed and doing better. It isn't an attack on you or your vet. We have been there, devastated that our dogs weren't doing at all well, watching them feel awful, and then solutions were found.

As for the internet nutritionists recommendation, I would NEVER give my dogs anything without consulting my vet, if I buy a new treat, my next visit to the vet I bring it with me, ask if this ok to give to dogs. What I did do is stopped using the micro wave to heat refrig, dog home cooked food, and I stopped using tap water and now use filtered water. Thank you for your reply.

You never said Cody was given multiple antibiotics, but you did say you didn't know what some of the medications were. It's highly probable that some of the mystery meds were antibiotics.

You need to find out what tests were run, the results, and the medications she's tried.

reconsidering this...

What? Oh wait... I need to read a post inside a post I guess.... Oh Okay got it.

Your post is a mess and I cannot figure it out. You quote me and stick your words in the middle of it. I don't have the time to try to wade through it all. Just suffice it to say I am not what you are calling me...I did see the name calling. :) I hope it is removed because it looks like I am ranting instead of you.:rolleyes:

redoing this..