I've hung back for so long from getting the advice from a veterinary nutritionist because I'm so scared they will most likely insist on diet change, with some amount of lean or raw meat or cooked vegetables and Tibbe and I will get to spend the next 10 days to two weeks fighting another acute bout of IBS, with him doing all of the suffering and me the 24-hour worrying. His two vets now have seen him going through the episodes enough now that they have stopped trying to suggest diet change.

What I don't understand I how I can change his diet when the tiniest bit of change of food can send him into days of N&V? Nothing has helped him out of these episodes but medication for his symptoms, time and making sure he only eats his usual, routine diet once he resumes eating or if I have to force-feed him a broth of his food via syringe if he goes past a day w/out voluntary eating. Does the vet nutritionist have some special medication they put the dog on before trying the new diet or despite his running, bloody diarrhea, retching up foam(not vomiting as he doesn't eat when he's sick) we just keep offering the chicken/new food until he accepts it and it no longer makes him sick? The thing is, when he's having one of those IBS bouts, he just won't eat until he's better and then if he eats different food, it sends him back into another bad bout but hopefully the vet nutritionist will have way to deal with that.

Would you know how I can go about finding an excellent vet nutritionist in my area, Crystal?

Hard to believe and I know it's just temporary, but all Tibbe's bad odor is just gone this morning! Wiped his anti-fungal lotion on and over completely normal-smelling feet and underbelly this morning! But it's two weeks from now, when the antibiotic wears off, that I know I need to worry about. Still, it's lovely to have a normal-smelling Yorkie again for a while. :)

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Prayers for my favorite dog, Tibbe. I hope the vet has the answers to this precious dog's problem . Wish I could help. I am dealing with the same stuff. Spud is only eating Hills zd but still thin and not as rambunctious.

Jeanie, I am glad you are having good results in Tibbe's odor and I am hope he will continue to be fine after the antibiotics.

As far as food...Bentley can't be off of Hill's Precription Z/D Ultra because of allergies and also he will get terrible diarrhea. I have kept him almost exclusively on this and maybe for a treat, a couple slices of banana. I hope Crystal can advise you on the food situation.

He just got over a yeast ear infection...from what I don't know. He had to have 5 drops of meds to clear it up and it went away. I am limiting the banana treat to once or twice a week in case it was due to that.

I am thinking of you and hoping you feel better with rest and trying to keep from doing too much. On the grocery situation you mentioned...have you considered a grocery cart like from many years ago. I hope you know what I mean by it. It would save you from carrying groceries from the car to your home. Hugs to you, Dyan

Thank you all so much. He's kinda got a bit of Frito Feet tonight but the faint odor is absolutely nothing like the rank smell he's had, poor boy. I'll probably wait until closer to bedtime to use his miconazole nitrate lotion on them as he'll be lying with his feet under him all night, warm and likely breeding bits of yeast and bacteria.

Lisa, your "care package" came this evening when I checked the mail I found in on the porch - never even heard the delivery man come! Tibbe really went all over it with his nose before I opened it! He gets to scent everything we get here by mail or delivery and he totally went crazy when I sat the box down for him to go over. No doubt he smelled Katie!

Imagine my surprise when I opened it to find a veritable serendipity of goodies - like an unexpected Christmas present!!! There was the pint of Coconut Oil, the Probiotic Max, and then far, far more - presents for both Tibbe and me.

Tibbe had an orange-colored Kong Cross-Knots Lion fuzzy toy with mane Tibbe loves to carry it around by and a squeaker in it, so Tibbe can "kill" it by making it squeak! Also a sturdy squeaky ball toy that has feet and he's quite puzzled by it so far. He's so cute trying to figure out why it is different and won't roll around like a regular ball but he jumps on it trying to get it to roll - so cute - and he loves chewing on the feet. Besides all that, there is a wonderful Tibbe-sized Madan comb with two kinds of teeth for his facial hair!

There was more! Treats of the chocolate kind for me! First was this wonderful, absolutely huge, round chocolate-colored and gold tin of Williams-Sonoma Hot Chocolate Bittersweet Chocolate Shavings for the best hot chocolate in the world!!! I might even use half-and-half to make it instead of milk. Best served with a bowl of whipped cream alongside the steaming pot of hot chocolate, just as in the famed Angelina cafe in Paris, the label says. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

Last, but not least, a golden sack of Lindt Lindor Assorted Chocolate Truffles - my absolute favorites! I've died and gone to heaven!

I'm in shock, Lisa. Here I thought it was so generous of you to just up and offer to send us a brand new jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and the Dogzymes Probiotic Max, despite all you've got on your plate right now. But to package all that up, label and ship it down here and offer it as a gift was unbelievably kind, thoughtful and sweet but then, to get that veritable Christmas package of wonderful, surprising gifts and goodies is just way too much! Of course, you shouldn't have done all of that - but it's so like you. For once, I'm speechless and for now all I can say right now is I can't thank you nearly enough, my dear friend. What a delightful box of needs, gifts and treats for both of us. Hugs and kisses to you, John and Katie for now!

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Lisa, you are an angel!!

Takes one to know one, Dottie! :)

It's been a week today since Tibbe's vet visit and he still smells normal. Amazing! He's managed to have 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of the virgin coconut oil from Lisa on his food once daily and the miconazole nitrate lotion on his feet, twice weekly HexaChlor-K soaks/baths and is doing great. I'll start the probiotics Lisa sent in a couple of days - once he's been on the coconut oil a whole week w/out any tummy troubles - and then we'll see what happens when his shot wears off in one more week. That's when the rubber meets the road - next week.

Jeanie, Great news for Tibbe and you! Praying he continues to improve. All you are doing is sure helping him! I know you are feeling relief for him. How are you feeling? Hope you are doing better. Hugs to you!

I'm so pleased, thank you, Dyan. Now, please, God, let it continue after next week when his 14-day shot runs out. I'm much better - can almost cough without wanting to scream. What a difference a week makes. Hugs back!!!

ITSB so awful to think of you in so much pain and your little boy also struggling. I'm really happy that the medicatiòn has helped Tibbe. I can't wait to hear stories of Tibbe dog laughing again and to hear that his mom is free from pain. You oth are always in my thoughts, heart, and prayers.

Thank you, Lisa. Tibbe did just dog-laugh yesterday while walking with me. He's so cute when he walks beside me, so excited to be part of the "team", eyes just gleaming, opens his mouth wide in a big smile, happily dog-laughing all the while, and puts his head back a little, looks up and kind of waggles it from side to side, as if to say "With you all the way, Mom, so let's keep going!". He melts your heart as he puts his whole body and spirit into whatever he does.

Just getting back to this thread now. yes Dr Jack retired late last year, I posted a thread about a *bad vet experience*.


Dr K. is on probation with me. No issues so far with my pups, and he did do a very thorough and competent exam on my large boy Magic. He showed no fear, and knew how to examine the bite and teeth of a large dog. And Magic was put up on the exam table with a non slip mat on it. The blood was drawn from rear leg, quite easily and quickly. Magic liked him! Very important to me. Magic even bowed his head, and butted Dr K in the chest:D We took DNA samples for Cornell and a blood draw for JLPP testing for OFFA. Visit was free of charge due to the other disaster visit.

He is on probation until I see how he responds to anomalous blood work and or emergent situations. But he is eager to learn about my Rare Breed and is open to breeder issues. Most importantly he had reviewed Magics extensive chart and knew of his past issues and testing for same.

Awh Jeanie so happy to read this. Gosh we do know a happy and engaged dog!

Lisa how very thoughtfull of you my friend, all that you do, and all that you are!. And I know you don't want public acknowledgement but you quite simply are the BEST!!! I so warmly remember one of your *care* packages to me and my family!