Colitis
 

I need help. I have an 11 year old Yorkie that developed colitis 3 weeks ago. He had bloody, mucousy stools and a lot of straining. When I took him to the vet they did a full fecal exam and everything was negative. They put him on Metronidazole. Within 48 hours he was back to normal.

I kept him on the Metronidazole for 7 days and he was fine. Unfortunately a week later he began doing the same thing. Another trip to the vet and he had another negative fecal. They also drew blood and performed a full blood workup, his blood tests were all normal. The vet put him back on Metronidazole and recommended that I put him on Purina DCO dry food and EN canned food. Within 48 hours he was back to normal again.

It has been a week and he seems to be doing fine except that he's losing weight. At his first vet visit he weighed 2 pounds 11 ounces. Last week at the vet's office he was down to 2 pounds 7 ounces. Today he's down to 2 pounds 5.3 ounces.

Until this started he was on Science Diet Maintenance and had absolutely no dietary problems. Despite his diminuative size he is a chow hound and will eat anything.

Has anyone had this problem with their yorkie? I've checked out every book at the library and I've tried searching the internet, but I can't find much information other than generalizations on colitis. I'm desperate for information and suggestions.

Years ago a had a Toy Poodle with colitis. They didn't have too many rx diets back then. I put her on a very strict bland diet. It helped her. I think it was I/D. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Good Luck :confused:

pm members missPenny and magnolia. I remember they have Yorkies with colitis. Hope your Yorkie feels better.
Jessica

Dealing with Colitis
 

Thanks! Bean seems to be feeling fine, though he's a bit upset that he doesn't get his treats any more. I'll weigh him again on Monday and if he's lost any more weight then I guess it is back to the vet's office.

I'm glad Bean is feeling better. Please update after his vet weigh-in visit.
I have one dog with a sensitive stomach so no treats for my other two dogs either. They all think a smidge of nutri-cal is a treat.
Jessica

We just got the same diagnoses (sp) for lil bear last night. The problem with hers is she is on antibiotic for a bladder infection so the vet didn't want to overdo the meds. so lil bear is suppose to eat steamed rice with her low protein food. What type of blan food did the vet suggest?

I hope bean starts feeling better. :getwellso

Sorry to hear about Little Bear... I hope she gets to feeling better real soon, thankfully bladder infections usually clear up quickly.

For Bean they put him on a prescription diet which is basically a bland meat and rice diet that is very low in fat. Years ago when I took care of puppies that had colitis or were recovering from coccidia or giardia we usually gave them boiled, skinless chicken breasts and steamed rice. Then we would give them small ribbons of Nutrical to suplement their blood sugar a couple of times a day.

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Thanks. The vet was going to give her the bland dog food but since she has a liver shunt she decided it's would be best to just keep lil bear on that and give her rice. She seems to be a little better now, she eat her rice and dry food last night. She really wants a half a lil ceaser, but we tell her no. I did get a couple of merrick can foods, the only problem with those is lil bear won't eat the rest of the can the next day!! I wounder how much protein is in chicken, she might not be as angry at us is she had a little something special.

Michelle, Lil Bear and Moose