Chronic inexplicable diarreah (with blood) and vomiting

[armaneo]

I wanted to provide a quick update on little guy's status.
I took him in to an internal medicine specialist, Mimi Noonan (Our Doctors - Veterinary Specialty Center). She listened intently to my story and told me she thinks it's one of three things:

Addison's disease. An issue with the adrenal gland that prevents the body from mounting an appropriate response to stresses. If there are stresses (e.g., thunder) the body is not able to cope with the stress, and physiological issues arise, often as diarrhea and/or vomiting. Treatment is extremely simple and requires a daily oral medicine.

Colitis. If I’m not mistaken, I believe the doctor said that this is also a physiological issue that manifests itself in the gastrointestinal tract. In other words, it is not a failure of the gastrointestinal tract itself, but something about body chemistry that is causing the issue.

Other gastrointestinal issue. Basically, there could be an issue in the gut itself that is creating the problems. There could be a wide range of issues that are causing the diarrhea and vomiting.

In order to test for Addisons, they needed to draw blood. They did so, and I just received a call as I was typing this. He does not have Addisons.

To test for colitis and other GI issues, they need to perform an ultrasound, and, as the doctor stated, almost always follow up with an endoscopy and biopsy under general anesthesia. I just finished scheduling him for the ultrasound, endoscopy, and biopsy for this Friday.

I’m very concerned about putting him under because he has extremely adverse reactions to anesthesia. (Almost died one time, and needed to be pumped with atropine.) But, the doctor assured me that they have two of the best anesthesiologists on staff.

I’ll report back with updates after Friday.

[Lil Sis]

just reading... I hope all goes well on Friday and sending positive thoughts~~~

[TxVicki]

I will be saying prayers for your baby, that they can get to the bottom of what is causing his problems. I will check back to look for an update after his testing on Friday.

[ladyjane]

Will keep Armaneo and you in my thoughts and prayers. Looks like you found a great place for him!
Will be looking for your update on Friday!

[armaneo]

Has anyone had their little one in for an endoscopy and gastrointestinal biopsy? Is it invasive? Did it cause lasting pain or discomfort? I just want to set my expectations correctly before going in tomorrow. These things always make me very nervous.

[LunasMomma]

Oh, I dearly hope and pray that you get some kind of definitive diagnosis soon, so that your little one can start feeling better

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Has anyone had their little one in for an endoscopy and gastrointestinal biopsy? Is it invasive? Did it cause lasting pain or discomfort? I just want to set my expectations correctly before going in tomorrow. These things always make me very nervous.

My Cookie had both done just before Christmas last year and she had no ill effects whatsoever! Not invasive at all with the scope.

[armaneo]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

My Cookie had both done just before Christmas last year and she had no ill effects whatsoever! Not invasive at all with the scope.

OK. Big relief. Thank you.

[ladyjane]

You will feel better once it is all over...it really is so stressful taking them in for things like this.

[Teresa Ford]

My Gracie had a blockage. She is small and an example of puppy mill bad breeding so has many issues. She did really well with the surgery. I know it is very scary to have our babies go under anesthesia, have tests run and surgery. But we can't let them suffer can we, if the problem is fixable. Prayers for you and your baby. I will check for up dates.

[Love my nicky]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

This doesn't sound like colitis if there's DARK blood in his stool. Colitis is inflammation of the colon & will only produce red blood @ the end of the stool. It's also very easily managed w/diet & keeping a stress free environment (no household cleaners, insecticides, etc.) If there's any sign of dark blood, it originates from the stomach...please see an internist for this condition.

I know I'm a bit late with this, sorry just seeing it. I totally agree with you. My baby just got diagnosed with colitis, as soon as I showed my vet a pic of a pool of bright red blood he was convinced it was colitis ( I had thought it was pancreatitis). Tests found that it was in fact colitis. So in summation OP, colitis will only be BRIGHT red, fresh blood.

OP- I'm right there with your pup- mine is 9 years old and has had chronic diarrhea/vomiting but only for the past several months. I really hope you are available to figure this out soon! I know it's tough to see them like that!

Hope the apptmt went well please keep us posted. Wishing your baby a speedy and informative recovery!

[Love my nicky]

Originally Posted by armaneo

I wanted to provide a quick update on little guy's status.
I took him in to an internal medicine specialist, Mimi Noonan (Our Doctors - Veterinary Specialty Center). She listened intently to my story and told me she thinks it's one of three things:

Addison's disease. An issue with the adrenal gland that prevents the body from mounting an appropriate response to stresses. If there are stresses (e.g., thunder) the body is not able to cope with the stress, and physiological issues arise, often as diarrhea and/or vomiting. Treatment is extremely simple and requires a daily oral medicine.

Colitis. If I’m not mistaken, I believe the doctor said that this is also a physiological issue that manifests itself in the gastrointestinal tract. In other words, it is not a failure of the gastrointestinal tract itself, but something about body chemistry that is causing the issue.

Other gastrointestinal issue. Basically, there could be an issue in the gut itself that is creating the problems. There could be a wide range of issues that are causing the diarrhea and vomiting.

In order to test for Addisons, they needed to draw blood. They did so, and I just received a call as I was typing this. He does not have Addisons.

To test for colitis and other GI issues, they need to perform an ultrasound, and, as the doctor stated, almost always follow up with an endoscopy and biopsy under general anesthesia. I just finished scheduling him for the ultrasound, endoscopy, and biopsy for this Friday.

I’m very concerned about putting him under because he has extremely adverse reactions to anesthesia. (Almost died one time, and needed to be pumped with atropine.) But, the doctor assured me that they have two of the best anesthesiologists on staff.

I’ll report back with updates after Friday.

Please don't be worried. Nicky just had an ultrasound and endoscopy last week (with Barium?) to test for colitis. He was sick for days before the tests and literally came home afterwards almost completely back to his old, happy self. They put him under GA as well. I will pray for you guys! hope you get some answers soon and that he makes a full and permanent recovery! Please keep us posted.

[armaneo]

Just as a quick update: My little guy went to the hospital at 8 AM this morning. They conducted an ultrasound and, though they found a little swelling in his spleen, they determined that the ultrasound was inconclusive.

They were supposed to move right into the endoscopy, but I guess he fell through the cracks. I called at 3, and they said they would have to call me back. At 3:15 they told me they were just getting started on the procedure and that he would not be done until about 6.

I'm a little ticked because they said he would be done by 3. It almost seems like they forgot about him. I feel terrible that he had to sit in a cage for 7 hours today, especially in light of his separation anxiety.

Will update later.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Just as a quick update: My little guy went to the hospital at 8 AM this morning. They conducted an ultrasound and, though they found a little swelling in his spleen, they determined that the ultrasound was inconclusive.

They were supposed to move right into the endoscopy, but I guess he fell through the cracks. I called at 3, and they said they would have to call me back. At 3:15 they told me they were just getting started on the procedure and that he would not be done until about 6.

I'm a little ticked because they said he would be done by 3. It almost seems like they forgot about him. I feel terrible that he had to sit in a cage for 7 hours today, especially in light of his separation anxiety.

Will update later.

Sometimes these things happen. I am so sorry it happened ... it is very frustrating because we don't like to see them sit; but he will be fine and SO happy to see you when it is over.

[armaneo]

Armaneo is safe and sound.

He went in for the procedure on Friday. He was attended by fantastic doctors that really knew what they were doing. He was sedated while the doctor took an ultrasound and several x-rays. In addition to the blood work that was done two days prior, none of these procedures revealed the ailment.

At that point, the doctors put Armaneo under general anesthesia and performed an endoscopy. His lower bowels were fine. His ileum (lower small intestines), however, were inflamed and raw--out of the ordinary. They took two biopsies from two different locations and sent them to the lab to be tested for a host of other ailments.

When we picked him up, he was a little disoriented, but doing well. He had very bad diarhea that night, but he is now having solid waste. He is on prednisone and metronidazole, a bland diet, and metamucil. We'll have the results from the biopsies by mid-week.

Thanks for the support, everyone.