Ava is sick and in hospital again; GI problems

[Ellie May]

I really can't even imagine constantly dealing with something so expensive.

Was the allergy test for food allergies?

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the vet explained the pros and cons of intestinal endoscopy to you. It's great that he found something, but I think at this point we'll just have to hope that he found everything that he needed to (likely did). I'm guessing he didn't explain the fact that some tumors (although likely not a concern here) can be missed as can a large portion of the small intestine! He would have had to go through the pylorus and go around to the duodenum. This isn't always an easy task and not all vets do it (but they probably forget to mention this ). Even when they do, portions can be missed. So a diagnosis like this made with endoscopy may or may not be a solid one. That is why some vets offer (and strongly suggest) full thickness biopsy (abdominal surgery). They'd rather go straight to the test that is more accurate because if they aren't satisfied with the endo results, they'd go there anyway. Of course the endo has advantages (safer, easier on the dog), but then owner may end up paying for both (and some just aren't totally comfortable diagnosis form endo)... I'm not saying it was the wrong choice here (or the right one), but this should have been explained.
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Dogs ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

For all those trying Z/D Ultra, I hope it works better for you than it did for us. The same with HA... They were pretty hard on Ellie...

[ladyjane]

Sadly, I have dealt with many bills like that. My vetting is not cheap, but it is excellent. For that, I am grateful!

My understanding is that the endoscopy was done because she was vomiting clumps of bright red blood which would indicate bleeding up high in the gi tract.

[ladyjane]

Oh...and as for the food, if Z/D Ultra does not work, I will move on to another. It does work for many. I have seen a couple of people say that they have had problems with I/D but I have used it on many pups with pancreatitis and other stomach issues without any problem at all. I am not a fan of Hill's but I have used that one with success.

[ally173]

he did explain the full thickness biopsy; but i didnt want to put ava through a major surgery; also he said since she's only 2, he doesnt suspect tumors.
for now she's doing well; thank god.
she's eating the low residue a bit at a time, cause she's really hungry. i am giving her the prednisone and the prene-bac gel and so far so good.
we'll just have to wait.
i hope that food allergy test will shed some light on what foods she's allergic too.
i know they do that food allergy tests for humans; so i am guessing it's the same for animals.
again thanks all for your support and advice; and keep the stories coming.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by ally173

he did explain the full thickness biopsy; but i didnt want to put ava through a major surgery; also he said since she's only 2, he doesnt suspect tumors.
for now she's doing well; thank god.
she's eating the low residue a bit at a time, cause she's really hungry. i am giving her the prednisone and the prene-bac gel and so far so good.
we'll just have to wait.
i hope that food allergy test will shed some light on what foods she's allergic too.
i know they do that food allergy tests for humans; so i am guessing it's the same for animals.
again thanks all for your support and advice; and keep the stories coming.

Food allergy testing for humans is so sensitive that it gives too many false positives as far as I have read. Doing it for animals is generally considered to be a waste of money. An elimination diet needs to be done.

Is there any food she never had any symptoms on?
For Ellie, she has to have fish as her protein source or she goes into the IBD thing...

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ally173

he did explain the full thickness biopsy; but i didnt want to put ava through a major surgery; also he said since she's only 2, he doesnt suspect tumors.
for now she's doing well; thank god.
she's eating the low residue a bit at a time, cause she's really hungry. i am giving her the prednisone and the prene-bac gel and so far so good.
we'll just have to wait.
i hope that food allergy test will shed some light on what foods she's allergic too.
i know they do that food allergy tests for humans; so i am guessing it's the same for animals.
again thanks all for your support and advice; and keep the stories coming.

the good news is prednisone makes them hungry so she will eat more

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Food allergy testing for humans is so sensitive that it gives too many false positives as far as I have read. Doing it for animals is generally considered to be a waste of money. An elimination diet needs to be done.

Is there any food she never had any symptoms on?
For Ellie, she has to have fish as her protein source or she goes into the IBD thing...

i 100% agree it was a waste of $200

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Food allergy testing for humans is so sensitive that it gives too many false positives as far as I have read. Doing it for animals is generally considered to be a waste of money. An elimination diet needs to be done.

Is there any food she never had any symptoms on?
For Ellie, she has to have fish as her protein source or she goes into the IBD thing...

i actually had the food allergy test done and all was negative; i feel like i have to give this test a try just for ava's sake. i dont want to do too many food trials with her; as her stomach is extermely sensitive.
i cant remember any food that she had without a reaction.
however she was on halo hollistic salmon dry food for over 8 months before the 2nd episode. and the 2nd episode i believe was brought due to stress; after we attended a dog event that was 2 hrs away; in august which was really hot weather.
however every food she was on she was always itching, scratching licking her paws. so not sure what she's allergic to.
now with the prednisone she hasn't itched at all.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by dwerten

the good news is prednisone makes them hungry so she will eat more

she's eating small portions though; better than nothing
however she's not drinking water. i didnt see her drink yesterday or today so far. is it because the food is wet and she doesnt feel thirsty. should i give her some water with a syringe just in case

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ally173

she's eating small portions though; better than nothing
however she's not drinking water. i didnt see her drink yesterday or today so far. is it because the food is wet and she doesnt feel thirsty. should i give her some water with a syringe just in case

no do not syringe she is not drinking alot as she was pumped up with fluids for days and food has moisture so she is fine just let her eat and drink on her own - i am not a big fan of syringing food or water as dogs will eat and drink on their own when necessary and if dehydrated i believe in fluids by subq or iv but i doubt she is dehydrated - check her gums if not sticky then let her be

[dwerten]

also she will drink more eventually from steroids as well -- dex did not drink much when he came home from hospital either

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ally173

i actually had the food allergy test done and all was negative; i feel like i have to give this test a try just for ava's sake. i dont want to do too many food trials with her; as her stomach is extermely sensitive.
i cant remember any food that she had without a reaction.
however she was on halo hollistic salmon dry food for over 8 months before the 2nd episode. and the 2nd episode i believe was brought due to stress; after we attended a dog event that was 2 hrs away; in august which was really hot weather.
however every food she was on she was always itching, scratching licking her paws. so not sure what she's allergic to.
now with the prednisone she hasn't itched at all.

yeah with her elly i would really limit her to the home unless you have to take to vet as any stress can set her off - i have to do this with dexter too and now maybe even dee dee since she has been getting the stress colitis from vet visits just safer that way and less costly

[ally173]

Originally Posted by dwerten

yeah with her elly i would really limit her to the home unless you have to take to vet as any stress can set her off - i have to do this with dexter too and now maybe even dee dee since she has been getting the stress colitis from vet visits just safer that way and less costly

i know; but she constantly staring from the window and i feel bad; she does like to go for a short walk and no problem there; so i think i can take her for 10 min walk
she doesnt like the vet visit; i can tell u that; she stars shaking there and her tail goes down

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ally173

i know; but she constantly staring from the window and i feel bad; she does like to go for a short walk and no problem there; so i think i can take her for 10 min walk
she doesnt like the vet visit; i can tell u that; she stars shaking there and her tail goes down

walks are fine but going in car for long rides, dog events, etc i would avoid that but walks should not be an issue for her

[manolos mom]

I am just reading this now, I hope Ava is feeling better. Hang in in there.