Update on Bailey, what vet said..
 

Okay So I explained to the doc my frustrations with this whole situation, and my bad situation for money and how I am struggling but i want to do everything I can for Bailey....and basically it comes down to this: He said that when most dogs that come in with diarrhea he prescribes them the metronidazole, the dogs take it and 95% get better w/no more problems....a few may return with continuing problems and he gives them a little more of the same meds, and 99% are taken care of.......BUT he said every year he'll have 2 or 3 dogs in particular that still have the diarrhea after the treatment that keeps recurring. So my options are: the best thing is to have a PCR-DNA test done, which is a really good diagnostic test, to find what is going on with her, and he went on to explain more than likely it would be one of the bacterias causing this. But the test itself is $160...(which i cannot afford right now for sure) I'm in the middle of a ton of stuff including moving states, graduation college, and trying to pay bills with parent's help. SO he offered one more treatment option that will last for about 30 days, it is called Tylan, it's a powder that i will sprinkle on her food and it will help the diarrhea.

He suggested changing her food incase it's a food allergy as well. so I bought her the yorkie eukanuba, which he reccommended.

Now, say we do end up having to do the PCR test in about a month and the results come back negative for everything, then ( AND I PRAY THIS WILL NOT BE THE CASE) he will do a biopsy and test her for IBD (Inflammable Bowel Disease) and then she will have to be on medicines life long :( Please pray this is not what this is.....


I am hoping the new meds and diet will somehow make all the difference and my little girl will live a healthy life!! Please pray the same....Thank you so much!!

This sounds right to me.

A blood panel and CBC really should be done along with the testing he recommended as a minimum for now. If there is a metabolic issue causing this (instead of a more idiopathic IBD), the bloodwork could help point the vet in the right direction.

I hope the Tylan works for your pup. It does for some. It did not work for mine and Metro did not work long term for mine. She is a life long IBD patient.

Not all dogs with IBD have to be on medication for life. My dog is not on medication for IBD. I would do at least a basic chemistry on your dog to rule out other metabolic causes of the diarrhea.

Kasey you and Bailey are in my Prayers.

i see...but my concern is what it would cost for bloodwork to be done. im going thru a loooot right now, on top of already spendin $300 the past 3 weeks on bailey with all these vet visits :(

i mean i dont think my vet would advise this route with the new powder meds if he knew it could be something serious enough to need further tests now...but im feeling like i should doubt that by the responses sofar to her update? :/

ughh...i dont know this is so stressful

Would it be possible for you to apply for Care Credit or borrow from your parents / sell something on ebay or what ever in order for you to come up with the cash for the tests?

My dog has IBD and metronidazole treatments were only helpful temporarily It was a frustrating cycle. Believe it or not, the best thing for her was a higher fiber diet. I don't know what to tell you on tests, other than it seems your vet gave a month but then he is going to want to do tests. Maybe that gives you a little time to come up with some money for the tests.

i like your response, thanks for understanding...from what he made it sound like, she'll be fine for the time being, but if it recurs one more time, its time to take a more serious approach...i mean does that sound reasonable? bc now these posts are freaking me out a bit. i can always go back up there monday and talk to him about my concerns, hes very nice and willing to talk\help...

I have a pup that we suspected might have IBD. We tried him on Hill's Ultra Z/D and he has done great! Sometimes a food change is all that is needed. I hope it works for you! :)

Sorry to you're going through this with your little one.
I'll keep the both of you in my prayers.
Please keep us posted.

It is extremely stressful and heart wrenching when your little one is sick and I know how overwhelming it can be.
It sounds like you like your vet and trust what he is telling you so I would stick with that and try not to stress about it.

I used to feed Nutro and I have since read reviews and it does not seem to be as good as it claims to be so maybe a food change will definitely help.

Everyone on here will have different stories about their own dogs and everyone wants to help but it sounds like you have it under control and you are doing what is best for your baby!! :)

This is a wonderful forum and there are so many kind people who want to help but I know how overwhelming it can be to get so many different comments that are helpful but yet it makes your head spin because you are already stressed about your baby so just sit back and read the comments but don't look too much into them just do what you think is best!!
It sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with your baby and I know you will take good care of him!!

I really hope the new diet works for your little one and I will pray that all goes well for you. Keep us updated!

You're welcome! It does sound like she will be fine from what you and the vet have decided to do for now.

I also would go ahead and talk to him about managing IBD with food. As LadyJane said, the z/D diet is successful for some pups with IBD. I have a friend with a little Italian Greyhound who has IBD and he has been on the z/D diet very successfully for years avoiding medication most of the time. And I said earlier my Daisy has been managed also by a diet, but hers is home cooked.

Sounds to me like you are doing the most you can afford to do at the moment, and the vet is OK with this for now. That gives you some time to save up for testing, if you need it. I also would go ahead and speak with the vet about trying the z/D or another diet designed for IBD dogs. I would have to disagree with using Eukanuba if this problem continues (just my opinion).

I hope Bailey feels better soon! Hugs to you.

Thanks for posting the update. I hope that your baby is feeling better soon.

Is IBD the same as IBS?

no, IBS is just with the symptoms basically ...kinda ehat bailey is going through but,
IBD is actually diagnosed through a biopsy on the dog's intestine walls....and there's no cure for it only treatments to help lifelong

i asked my vet the same ? bc i was getting them confused...but yeah, IBD is more serious from what i understand