Ava is sick and in hospital again; GI problems

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ally173

have you used bene-bac for your dogs for a long time;
do u think it's safe to use for a long term with these ingredients? (see red)

ingredients
Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried L. plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Streptococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried L. casei Fermentation Product, Vegetable Oils, Sugar, Silicondioxide, Artificial Color, Polysorbate 80 (a preservative) with Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone and Ethoxyquin.

It doesn't contain Ethoxyquin, Poly 80, or TBHQ...HERE is the manufacturer's site/info. HERE is the product page from the manufacturer.

These are the ingredients: Dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried L. fermentum fermatation product, dried L. acidophilus fermentation product, dried L. plantarum fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried pediococcus acidilactici fermentation product, sunflower oil, sucrose, silicon dioxide, dextrose, artificial color.

I always suggest that when you do see "red-flag" ingredients - you should always check the Manufacturers site. Keep in mind there are still sites on the Internet that list Natural Balance Dog Food as containing Menadione.....

BeneBac is a great product for Emergency Kits, imo.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ally173

it's just so easy to administer and she seems to love it; she stands next to me when i am holding the tube; and then licks it off my finger. i am afraid to switch her to a powder as she's very picky and wont take anything that she doesnt like. is there another probiotic gel or liquid out there; thanks

For daily use, I use this, as KJC mentioned. The BeneBac is only part of my sick/emerg kit for the boys. Dogzymes is both a probiotic as well as an enzyme product. Also, it's microencapsulated - so it's supposed to better survive a dog's extremely acidic stomach (keep in mind many probiotics will die in a dog's tummy).

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

It doesn't contain Ethoxyquin, Poly 80, or TBHQ...HERE is the manufacturer's site/info. HERE is the product page from the manufacturer.

These are the ingredients: Dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried L. fermentum fermatation product, dried L. acidophilus fermentation product, dried L. plantarum fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried pediococcus acidilactici fermentation product, sunflower oil, sucrose, silicon dioxide, dextrose, artificial color.

I always suggest that when you do see "red-flag" ingredients - you should always check the Manufacturers site. Keep in mind there are still sites on the Internet that list Natural Balance Dog Food as containing Menadione.....

BeneBac is a great product for Emergency Kits, imo.

you are right; i took a look at the tube and the ingredients are as u listed above; so i am going to keep using it
i cant use the powder u suggested below as it has ingredients that i am not sure if they will agrevate her IBD
do u think i can continue using bene-bac on a long term; i dont see why not?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ally173

you are right; i took a look at the tube and the ingredients are as u listed above; so i am going to keep using it
i cant use the powder u suggested below as it has ingredients that i am not sure if they will agrevate her IBD
do u think i can continue using bene-bac on a long term; i dont see why not?

If it's working for your kiddo, and esp. since your vet is on board with it - I'd say stick w/ it - it has a good delivery system (also encapsulated), a good variety of species, is concentrated, - and, MOST importantly - she'll lick it right off your finger - what's not to love ?!

[ally173]

she is eating the food; however she's not drinking water; i called the vet to ask him and he said it's ok; he will be more concerned if she's drinking lots of water. i guess since the food is wet she doesnt feel thirsty. i was concerned because i felt her gums and they feel dry and sticky. i am adding little water to her food just in case. also the food makes her burp, which i am concerned about that too. hopefully it will get better.

[ally173]

do you guys think it's ok to keep feeding her iams low residue wet food for the rest of her life; the vet said i can add the iams low residue dry food; but i am afraid of another relapse. not sure what to do. she seems hungry with the wet food alone; she's eating about 1/2 can a day now; not drinking water as she's not thirsty from the wet food. her urine is light yellow; concentrated in the morning but not too much throughout the day.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by ally173

do you guys think it's ok to keep feeding her iams low residue wet food for the rest of her life; the vet said i can add the iams low residue dry food; but i am afraid of another relapse. not sure what to do. she seems hungry with the wet food alone; she's eating about 1/2 can a day now; not drinking water as she's not thirsty from the wet food. her urine is light yellow; concentrated in the morning but not too much throughout the day.

Elly, I've been following this thread even though I haven't posted. What I'm about to say is only my opinion: Yes, I think it's absolutely ok to keep feeding her this. At this point, you have to find what her little body will tolerate and just go with that. If this Iams is what works for her, then that's what you feed her. Animals everywhere eat Iams every day and do just fine. I sure hope she's feeling better! Sending a little hug her way.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by bonbon

Elly, I've been following this thread even though I haven't posted. What I'm about to say is only my opinion: Yes, I think it's absolutely ok to keep feeding her this. At this point, you have to find what her little body will tolerate and just go with that. If this Iams is what works for her, then that's what you feed her. Animals everywhere eat Iams every day and do just fine. I sure hope she's feeling better! Sending a little hug her way.

thank you; i was asking this because i want her to get the full nutrition; and not sure if the wet food alone is enough. she seems to be always hungry; but then this could be the prednisone she's on. i think for now i will stick with the wet food for few months at least, until she's better; and then maybe i will start adding the low residue kibble.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by ally173

thank you; i was asking this because i want her to get the full nutrition; and not sure if the wet food alone is enough. she seems to be always hungry; but then this could be the prednisone she's on. i think for now i will stick with the wet food for few months at least, until she's better; and then maybe i will start adding the low residue kibble.

I agree with your plan completely! The first, most important thing is to make sure she'll eat it and tolerate it. Once you have a base meal established, then you can try adding or supplementing as you feel comfortable. I think the wet food probably contains the nutrition she needs, but I understand your concerns.

Is it possible for you to add another meal to her schedule? I don't remember how often you're feeding her now, but smaller meals spread more often throughout the day may make her feel less hungry.

[ally173]

i am feeding her 3 times a day smaller meals.
when she gets better i will feed her twice daily; but she doesnt like to eat large amount of food at one sitting;
it's funny she knows and i know when she's full; she will walk away from the food and burp

[ally173]

silly question; but does anyone know how long does it take for a dog to digest a meal; dry or wet food. in other words, how long does it take for their stomach to empty.
thanks

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ally173

silly question; but does anyone know how long does it take for a dog to digest a meal; dry or wet food. in other words, how long does it take for their stomach to empty.
thanks

Since she has GI problems, gosh, there is no telling . If she has delayed gastric emptying, and then also issues in the small intestine...it's all a guess. I mean, w/ delayed gastric emptying, they can find meal contents in the stomach up to 24+ hours later, so....?

I think w/ her complicated issues, you'd have to keep an in/out diary, you know what I mean? A very detailed one... you have a GI spec, right? They should be able to walk you through doing this...and/or a nutritionist.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ally173

i am feeding her 3 times a day smaller meals.
when she gets better i will feed her twice daily; but she doesnt like to eat large amount of food at one sitting;
it's funny she knows and i know when she's full; she will walk away from the food and burp

best for ibd dogs to eat 3-4 meals a day rather than two as it helps them digest better

it takes 48-72hrs to completely be out of system for a normal dog that is why they say with a blockage situation 48-72hrs and you will kow

[dwerten]

dry is harder to digest than wet and creates more stomach acid to break it down so why i soak kibble when dex gets an upset stomach to slowly introduce food back in as his diet does not come in wet only dry

[ally173]

i went today to buy more food for her; i told them she's eating 1/2 can (7oz) daily; but she's always hungry; they said i can add the kibble. i asked for a sample, which they didnt have. and since they wont return an open bag, i decided to keep feeding her wet only; i figured it's easier on her stomach anyway. so i bought 2 cases (24 cans) for $54 +tax which will last 48 days; that's a lot of money; but what can i do.