Diagnosed with gi problems!

[sharonmcclease]

My Bentley has been diagnosed with GI problems. Symptoms: goes on strike from eating kibble and bouts of diarrhea. The vet said something about starting him on Royal Canine Gastro Intestinal formula. I haven't heard alot of great things about Royal Canine. I just ordered from Amazon The Honest Kitchen dehydrated....just add warm water. It is all human grade ingredients. I just don't know what to do. Im going to try a little rice tonight because its been 24 hours with water only. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[Wylie's Mom]

Poor kiddo - no fun to have a yucky tummy!

First, what were you feeding when this all started? And has it happened w/ multiple foods? Have you tried raw at all? Probiotics?

I'm not a big fan of RC either, but if/when all else fails - prescription type diets can sometimes work miracles with protracted issues.

If you want to try a probiotic, I'd recommend the one from Natures Farmacy.

Any signs of acid reflux or anything btw....? http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...wallowing.html

Also, this article may be helpful: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...-your-vet.html

[ladyjane]

The Royal Canin Gastro RX food is excellent for pups who need it! It was recommended for my Cookie who has IBD and Lymphangectasia. I opted to do a consult with a vet nutritionist and home cook for her, but I wouldn't hesitate to use ANY of the RX foods as I have used many of them over the years. In a really sick pup, these foods can save lives!

This website is run by a vet nutrionist and is very informative:

www.petdiets.com

[sharonmcclease]

I have found a company called Honest Kitchen...I've ordered their dehydrated food, Probiotics), and goats milk. I pray this works and the big question is will his picky self eat it. The two other foods I've had him on were Blue grain free chicken and Nature's Instinct raw boost. Oh and right before this bout of diarrhea I was using a little raw mixed with the kibble. I'm a little leary of raw though....I'm so scared I would accidently make him sick. Does anyone know anything about the Honest Kitchen? All of the ingredients are human grade.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by sharonmcclease

I have found a company called Honest Kitchen...I've ordered their dehydrated food, Probiotics), and goats milk. I pray this works and the big question is will his picky self eat it. The two other foods I've had him on were Blue grain free chicken and Nature's Instinct raw boost. Oh and right before this bout of diarrhea I was using a little raw mixed with the kibble. I'm a little leary of raw though....I'm so scared I would accidently make him sick. Does anyone know anything about the Honest Kitchen? All of the ingredients are human grade.

I had my yorkie on the goats milk thought it was great and then she got diagnosed with IBD and threw it up overtime. Vets know what they are talking about so I would try the prescription food. There is a difference between prescription food and what you can buy at the pet store. If he has issues he may not be able to tolerate raw.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

The Royal Canin Gastro RX food is excellent for pups who need it! It was recommended for my Cookie who has IBD and Lymphangectasia. I opted to do a consult with a vet nutritionist and home cook for her, but I wouldn't hesitate to use ANY of the RX foods as I have used many of them over the years. In a really sick pup, these foods can save lives!

This website is run by a vet nutrionist and is very informative:

www.petdiets.com

Originally Posted by sharonmcclease

I have found a company called Honest Kitchen...I've ordered their dehydrated food, Probiotics), and goats milk. I pray this works and the big question is will his picky self eat it. The two other foods I've had him on were Blue grain free chicken and Nature's Instinct raw boost. Oh and right before this bout of diarrhea I was using a little raw mixed with the kibble. I'm a little leary of raw though....I'm so scared I would accidently make him sick. Does anyone know anything about the Honest Kitchen? All of the ingredients are human grade.

Yes, I saw what you are feeding and I was simply telling you that I prefer to listen to what my vets advise.

The website I advised is run by a vet nutritionist. I am pasting her credentials below......I much prefer advice from her than people like the dog food advisor guy ....

REBECCA L. REMILLARD
1002 Capps Farm Rd
Hollister, NC 27844
Office phone: (252) 257-1959
Current Employment: Founder and President of Veterinary Nutritional Consultations, inc.
specializes in formulating strategically appropriate dietary recommendations for dogs, cats and
horses with medical conditions and has provided independent consulting to pet owners and
veterinarians through www.PetDiets.com since 2000.
Education
Doctorate of VETERINARY MEDICINE, May 1987, Tufts University
Doctorate of PHILOSOPHY, Animal Science - Nutrition, May 1983, Colorado State University
Masters Degree of SCIENCE, Animal Science - Nutrition, August 1978, University of Maine
Bachelors Degree of SCIENCE, Animal Science, May 1976, Purdue University
Specialty Training
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Internship and Residency in Nutrition, 1987 - 1990
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Nutritional Surgical Fellowship, 1991 - 1993
Certification
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Nutrition (comparative), 1991
Professional Experience
North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
Nutrition Service Clinical veterinarian and instructor 2011 to 2014
MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA
Senior Staff Veterinarian - Clinical Nutritionist 1993 to 2011
Teaching Experience (Large and Small Animal Nutrition)
North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine 2011 - present
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine 2012 - present
St. Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine 2013
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine 1993 - 2011
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine 1987 - 1990
Colorado State University 1979 - 1983
University of Maine 1976 - 1978
Professional Memberships and Committee Work
American College of Veterinary Nutrition 1991-present
American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition 1988 - present
American Veterinary Medical Association 1986 - present
National Academy of Science 2003-2004
AAFCO Sub Committee on Canine and Feline Nutrient Profiles 2007-2012

[ladyjane]

Oh, and let me add, that you can ask her questions and she WILL respond to you!

I don't know anything about the food you found...but I am quite sure she does and could give you some good advice!

Again.... www.petdiets.com

[PatriciaLord]

I have been around and around with this problem with my Emma, she is so pitiful when she is sick and it breaks my heart. I finally have a working solution for her I will share with you.

She cannot go to bed with an empty stomach. I pre measure her food for the day and keep it in a small plastic container in the fridge. She gets a little less than half of it for breakfast. The remainder is split in half, part for dinner when I eat my meal and the last portion before we go to bed.

She has 1 cube (one ounce) of Primal Beef (raw) and one ounce of Green Tripe, I mix the two together in the container, then when I serve her I add a small amount of steamy hot water to bring it to room temp. She loves it and it isn't as messy as pumpkin and some of the other remedies we have tried. You can research the tripe at Greentripe.com

I know there are lots of solutions out there and I hope you find one that works for you.

[sharonmcclease]

What kind of food do you mix the tripe and primal raw with?

[MandysMom2016]

I've been battling chronic diarrhea with my Mandy for months. The vet thinks it is IBD and she is on Prednisone and bowel antibiotics. We tried Royal Canin low fat as well as Hills i/d low fat. Mandy eats it like crazy but low fat gives her horrible smelly doggie farts! Smells liker undigested food so she's back on the regular i/d. I hope you find something your baby will eat and be happy. It is a tricky thing.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MandysMom2016

I've been battling chronic diarrhea with my Mandy for months. The vet thinks it is IBD and she is on Prednisone and bowel antibiotics. We tried Royal Canin low fat as well as Hills i/d low fat. Mandy eats it like crazy but low fat gives her horrible smelly doggie farts! Smells liker undigested food so she's back on the regular i/d. I hope you find something your baby will eat and be happy. It is a tricky thing.

If your vet thinks it is IBD you might want to try Hill's ZD. One of my pups was having similar symptoms a few years ago and we put him on that and it stopped it! He also loved the food! I am not sure of the fat content and if that might be a problem; but, it does take part of the protein allergy component. Definitely worth asking your vet about.

[Cherie6446]

My Zoey has had bouts of pancreatatis. She eats RC lowfat Gastro canned and kibble. I agree about the toxic gas from the kibble but she has been well. I tried Honest kitchen (a local company - easy to find) and the smell when mixed with water made me sick to my stomach. I think they are a good company but you have to feed what keeps them healthy. Lady Jane gave you good advice regarding a dr she uses.

[MandysMom2016]

Thank you, Lady Jane and Cheri. I did consider z/d but it has as much fat as the i/d. She loves the regular i/d and I notice if there is any pouchiness to her abdomen in the evening, it is gone by morning. I'm always so concerned about PLE and bloating. I'm wondering if the bigger tummy is because she is eating her food so fast. She practically inhales it and I'm considering getting one of those special feeding bowls that make it harder to eat fast. I'll ask the vet this Thursday when Mandy goes in for another B12 to see about the z/d. Has any of your babies lost a lot of weight and how fast did it come back on?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by MandysMom2016

I've been battling chronic diarrhea with my Mandy for months. The vet thinks it is IBD and she is on Prednisone and bowel antibiotics. We tried Royal Canin low fat as well as Hills i/d low fat. Mandy eats it like crazy but low fat gives her horrible smelly doggie farts! Smells liker undigested food so she's back on the regular i/d. I hope you find something your baby will eat and be happy. It is a tricky thing.

IBD is related to food allergies. My yorkie girl has it and we went on prescription Royal Canin hypoallergenic small breed and she's has done great on it.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MandysMom2016

Thank you, Lady Jane and Cheri. I did consider z/d but it has as much fat as the i/d. She loves the regular i/d and I notice if there is any pouchiness to her abdomen in the evening, it is gone by morning. I'm always so concerned about PLE and bloating. I'm wondering if the bigger tummy is because she is eating her food so fast. She practically inhales it and I'm considering getting one of those special feeding bowls that make it harder to eat fast. I'll ask the vet this Thursday when Mandy goes in for another B12 to see about the z/d. Has any of your babies lost a lot of weight and how fast did it come back on?

I suggested the ZD because of the allergy component of IBD. When it works, it is amazing.