Chronic inexplicable diarreah (with blood) and vomiting

[armaneo]

I know this is going to sound like just another post about another sick yorkie. After 10 years of dealing with this problem, I think I can safely say this is out-of-the-ordinary. I'm finally going to make a stand and figure out what is wrong with my little guy.

Some background: 10 years ago, I picked up Armaneo from what--in retrospect--was probably a puppy-mill in Southern Illinois (not sure). Not long thereafter, I learned he had a congenital defect (Legg Perthes), which required major surgery. He got the surgery and, though there were complications with the operation, he is doing well now.

He's also otherwise in pretty decent health. I brush his teeth every night and he is up to date on his shots and flea medication in the warmer months. He goes outside at least three times a day on a harness leash in a very clean neighborhood environment in Chicago. His feet are wiped with baby-wipes every time he comes back into the house.

The only issue that I deal with on a daily basis is his gastro-intestinal issues. He has an remarkably sensitive stomach. Early in his years, he rejected lots of food. After experimenting with countless brands and formulations, he finally settled on California Naturals (lamb) and 100% real lamb jerky treats. If he eats anything else, he has diarrhea or vomiting. He gets no other treats, no human food, no nothing. I actually feel so sorry for him that he never gets to enjoy anything else.

The slightest stimuli will make his stomach upset. If there is thunder, the next day he has diarrhea. If he is left alone for more than 5 hours, he gets diarrhea. If he eats anything that is not his food, he has diarrhea. And, this is the worst part: sometimes, he just gets sick for no reason.

Each time he has diarrhea, it is very soft, pudding like consistency with blood (mostly dark, with some medium colored blood, as well). Usually, it lasts for 2 days.

2 weeks ago, we left him with neighbors for 4 days and when we got back, he was sick. He's been having diarrhea and vomiting (on and off) now for ten days. I've been feeding him only pedialyte and pumpkin paste lately, but he's still sick. 1 or 2 days during the last 10 days, he seemed fine, and had a normal bm, but he's still definitely sick.

These types of episodes have happened in the past several times, almost always coinciding with cold weather. When I take him to the vet, they ask me to bring in a stool sample. They run some tests, sometimes take blood, and then they tell me nothing is wrong.

But, my intuition is telling me this is something worse than simple stomach upset. Is it possible he has a congenital defect that is affecting his stomach and intestines? Is it possible that he has stomach cancer? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I should be aware of? Tests I can run?

What could be causing such persistent issues? I really need help getting to the bottom of this. I can't see him suffering like this anymore, especially in his older years.

[ladyjane]

If your vet does not know what this is, perhaps you need to do a consult with a veterinary internal med specialist.

[Ellie May]

Have you tried another vet?

Intestinal issues helped by certain diets are not uncommon in yorkies. My first thought about the bloody stool after stressful events is colitis. It might be worth trying a small dose of Prozac. If it is happening or no reason now, you may need an internist. If all blod is normal, somebody will eventually want to biopsy. some general vets are comfortable doing this.

You could always continue to try and manage with food, but maybe switch to an rx diet.

[armaneo]

Thank you both. I will set up an appointment with an internist asap.

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Have you tried another vet?

Intestinal issues helped by certain diets are not uncommon in yorkies. My first thought about the bloody stool after stressful events is colitis. It might be worth trying a small dose of Prozac. If it is happening or no reason now, you may need an internist. If all blod is normal, somebody will eventually want to biopsy. some general vets are comfortable doing this.

You could always continue to try and manage with food, but maybe switch to an rx diet.

Good advice I was thinking colitis too. I would also add probiotics to his food.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

If your vet does not know what this is, perhaps you need to do a consult with a veterinary internal med specialist.

I am the type that needs an answer to the problem...it has never done me any good at all, to be placed in a position where I can see abnormalities, blood from places where there should not be blood, etc, and be told "there is nothing wrong". THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, YOU JUST HAVE NOT FOUND IT, DOC!!! So, I will work with my regular vet up to a point....if it ever reaches the point where I am seeing what I KNOW is NOT right, and my vet is not able to diagnose the problem, I head for specialists....I personally head for "my" vet school, A&M. I would recommend you do likewise. I know you are in great distress over your baby....and he isnt feeling on top of the world either....you need a specialist.

[armaneo]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I am the type that needs an answer to the problem...it has never done me any good at all, to be placed in a position where I can see abnormalities, blood from places where there should not be blood, etc, and be told "there is nothing wrong". THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, YOU JUST HAVE NOT FOUND IT, DOC!!! So, I will work with my regular vet up to a point....if it ever reaches the point where I am seeing what I KNOW is NOT right, and my vet is not able to diagnose the problem, I head for specialists....I personally head for "my" vet school, A&M. I would recommend you do likewise. I know you are in great distress over your baby....and he isnt feeling on top of the world either....you need a specialist.

Thank you for your understanding. You know exactly how I'm feeling.

As for the colitis diagnosis, I think that's pretty darn spot-on. Just reading about it here on this forum seems to support that theory. For example, the post here (http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/1021141-post8.html) identifies nearly all of the symptoms that my guy has. Would it be irresponsible of me to get him on Tylan even before I can schedule the specialist?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Thank you for your understanding. You know exactly how I'm feeling.

As for the colitis diagnosis, I think that's pretty darn spot-on. Just reading about it here on this forum seems to support that theory. For example, the post here (http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/1021141-post8.html) identifies nearly all of the symptoms that my guy has. Would it be irresponsible of me to get him on Tylan even before I can schedule the specialist?

If he's ten years old, I think you need to schedule an appointment first, he's gone far too long with this problem.

[Ellie May]

Nope. Not irresponsible at all! As long as the vet okays it, it is fine.

My yorkie has similar issues. No blood in stool, but it used to get gray/green liquidy. She was very sick with it. I did ot go to an IMS bc we had been therenot long gefore for a liver issue, the only thing left to do was biopsy and my vet is more than capable of doing that, and I didn't feel like paying for an ultrasound bc they are of limited value for intestines.

My girl's trigger is just about every ingredient. She does well on hydrolyzed food. We were fairly certain it wasn't cancer bc the symptoms were present for awhile. Her protein levels were normal. bloodwork did indicate SIBO. Tylan did nothing for her. Metro only worked at first. By the time I started justifying a biopsy we found a food that works.

Diarrhea is definitely not normal. Sometimes no cause will be found though. IBD...

BTW - the vet has done Spec cPL, TLI, folate/cobolamin, and all that good stuff, right?
Ultrasound can't hurt. It just may not help.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Thank you for your understanding. You know exactly how I'm feeling.

As for the colitis diagnosis, I think that's pretty darn spot-on. Just reading about it here on this forum seems to support that theory. For example, the post here (http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/1021141-post8.html) identifies nearly all of the symptoms that my guy has. Would it be irresponsible of me to get him on Tylan even before I can schedule the specialist?

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.

[armaneo]

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.

Hm. Interesting. Well, all this talk got me acting, and I'm taking him to an internist at 2:00 PM CST today at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Hm. Interesting. Well, all this talk got me acting, and I'm taking him to an internist at 2:00 PM CST today at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Hope you'll find answers & a diagnosis.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Hm. Interesting. Well, all this talk got me acting, and I'm taking him to an internist at 2:00 PM CST today at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by armaneo

Hm. Interesting. Well, all this talk got me acting, and I'm taking him to an internist at 2:00 PM CST today at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

YA-BA, DA-BA, DOOOOO!!!! Be sure and let us know what is said and done!!!

[MandiesMom]

I'm so sorry your little one is going thru this...SO HAPPY you got that appt today. Will check back for an update later