colitus in dogs---is the end coming

devildog

Ok here are my thoughts from the begining of this thread although some have been responded to further along.
Runny poos forever-quite possible however your dog may come out of a flare for months/years or never reach that state!
I disagree with Colitis being a catch all phrase-it is a chronic condition that is suffered by both humans and dogs.
IBS is not the same as IBD!!!
Colitis affects the colon(large intestine only)
If it was simple enough to find the cause of the diarrhoea then thousands of humans would be cured of this disease nevermind all the canine sufferers. Sorry but there is no known cause. Research indicates that somehow a complex interaction of factors(inherited genes/abnormal reaction of immune system to intestinal bacteria etc) is triggered by either a virus/bacteria/diet/stress but there is no definite evidence.
The colonoscopy will give a firm diagnosis of the area infected, any biopsies will confirm Colitis too. Based on these results the most suitable drugs will be tried(different drugs for different parts of the digestive system)
DO NOT use brown rice or any other wholemeal product or veg-it will cause more irritation to the inflammation and do no good whatsoever. You need to feed 'soft' foods. Different foods can be bad for one sufferer but ok for another, you are going to have to keep trying different things to find out what works in your case.The problem is going to be that until the inflammation dies down /gets under control your dog is going to be unable to get the benefit of these nutrients-if you are going to persevere I would ask vet if they have an enteral nutrition type food for dogs(like they do for humans)if so this may be an option it is already partially digested so will give the digestive tract less to do)
Make sure the dog has regular blood tests on the azathioprine(as a nasty side affect it can damage the liver) and it also suppresses the immune system. This is a long shot but LDN (low dose naltrexate(sp)) is having some really good results in humans(not that many specialists appear to be aware of it) so I don't know how clued up your vet is-but it may be worth a shot(virtually no side affects after about 7/10 days(lack sleep/vivid dreams etc)
OK sorry for rambling, must get tea

devildog

Sorry the drug is Low Nose Naltrexone.
What I would say is that treatment (any of the drugs) would be for life and unless money is no object or you have an extremely good insurance plan you do need to seriously consider your options, but I personally wouldn't give in/up yet. You may be lucky and it will go into remission and not appear for many years!!

Frugalista

Sorry to hear about your dog cazza . I'm sure your head is spinning with all the advice given so far.

It may be worth trying this product - http://www.dorwest.com/Catalogue/Dietary-Supplements/Tree-Barks-powder - I keep some in at all times and it has proved invaluable - I have used it in cases of diahorroea and other digestive upsets and used to have a boy with pancreatic problems whom it helped. It is so gentle that you can (apparently) even use it for human babies - and it can certainly do no harm. We also use it in the boarding kennels - recently on two different dogs who were reacting badly to Metacam . The people at Dorwest are lovely and so helpful, I'm sure it would be worth a phone call.

Don't give up on your dog yet - last year I started a thread called "Meals for a very sick dog". My girl had severe complications after a fairly standard op and (to cut a long story short) lost so much weight that I was about to have her PTS - she was little more than a skeleton :eek:!!!! My husband never lost his faith in her and begged me (against my better judgement IMO) to give her another few days. That was a year ago and she is still with us - and is as fit and healthy as she has ever been. I know when you are going through it it can seem like there is no hope but miracles can happen - my girl is living proof of that. Stay strong. Sending you and your boy hugs :grouphug:

devildog

Dorwest certainly is a reputable company to buy from. Other things you may wish to consider (speak to vet first)are calcium supplements(to counteract the affect of the steroids on the bones) and vitamin D.

Mutter_2

Cazza, had to look in your previous thread to see how old he is, seven! Too young to give up. Googled Metacam, it's evil stuff alright, I believe he is still taking it? If so, the advice is to stop. Metacalm causing the problems and immodium to stop them. Better then to stop the cause?

If it were a life saving drug e.g for heart disease, you would have no choice, but it's a pain reliever. I get pain, but if I thought the occasional tabs I take were causing my stomach to bleed and I might die, I'd have to bear the pain. Frankly they don't stop the pain anyway, and your dog doesn't sound painfree either.

You said you are no good at searching, so here's some info on Metacam
http://www.k9obedience.co.uk/doghealth/treatment/rimadylandmetacam.html

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1752

and specialists in Orthopaedics:
http://www.vetclick.com/referral-practices/view_ads.php?CategoryId=17

Prognosis for an operation? Good.
http://www.liv.ac.uk/sath/conditions/cruciate.htm

The vetinary partner link I found very interesting.

Good luck Jasper.

ETA Sorry Cazza, reread you OP, so he is off the evil metacam I take it. Hope it works out for all of you.

elsien

I remember another poster on here having serious problems with colitits and her dog, and really starting to despair.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/837997
followed by

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/950721

I think Harley has now turned the corner and is getting on fine, but it did take time. Just wanted to show you that dogs can be very poorly but can still manage to get there in the end.
Don't chop and change with different foods too much - go with the vets advice, but be clear with them about any concerns you have. Hill's works for some and not for others, there isn't a blanket yes or no for anything.
Mutt has flare ups with colitis, so I sympathise, and hope you can find something that works for him soon.

ali-t

I am sorry to hear your dog isn't doing too well. I have had success and know many others who have also had success with upping the positive bacteria using pro-biotic yoghurt, pro-kaolin paste and a great product called digestor http://www.petcetera.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.petcetera.co.uk%2facatalog%2fOnline_Catalogue_DISINFECTANTS__SANITIZERS___ODOUR_CONTROL_72.html&WD=digestor&SHOP=trlshop16582&PN=Digestion___Eating_Aids.html%23a1531#a1531 The digestor bulks up the poo and makes it a weird jelly consistency so it is easier for the dog to pass. There is no more explosive dire rear but more solid poos.

Has your vet tested the poo to see if there is any bacteria present that is causing the problem? It is possible that the dire rear is a symptom rather than the cause and it may not be the metacam that is causing the problem.

(((hugs))) it is horrible when pets are ill and we are helpless to fix things. I hope your dog gets better soon xx

Mutter_2

elsien wrote: »

I remember another poster on here having serious problems with colitits and her dog, and really starting to despair.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/837997
followed by

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/950721

I think Harley has now turned the corner and is getting on fine, but it did take time. Just wanted to show you that dogs can be very poorly but can still manage to get there in the end.
Don't chop and change with different foods too much - go with the vets advice, but be clear with them about any concerns you have. Hill's works for some and not for others, there isn't a blanket yes or no for anything.
Mutt has flare ups with colitis, so I sympathise, and hope you can find something that works for him soon.

I shall read the links with interest, thanks elsien. haven't read Cazza's posts before today regarding her Springer.
I completely agree that a diet should not change. Everytime there is a slight variation, troubles flare. Mine loves wet food, but I am not willing to pick up after that, so dry it is.

What I don't agree with, is that Vets know about nutrition. I wouldn't mind betting that Vets get a half day on nutrition in Uni! Plus of course they have been seduced by the dog food manufacturers on how to increase profits.

If I were in Caz's shoes as she has a relatively young dog. First research any drug he's on. Second if internal damage found, find a specialist from the list I put up. Third, get the Op on the knee done, as pointed out, prognosis good.

Just saw my own post Cazza. How bossy was that? Sorry. Am hiding my head, cringe.
All that of course is assuming caz has insurance. No I wouldn't criticise, each to their own.

cazza1968

Wow, thanks for all the advice guys. First, as Jasper had been quite an accident prone dog, he has had just short of 6000 pounds worth of vets bills since he was born. Split paw, ear problems, grass seeds etc. So as the insurance was getting so exspensive and he wasnt covered for a lot of things i swapped the policy to a different one.
Mistake...... he is only covered for 1000 vets bills a year. Which was pretty much used up by x-rays..£400 ish, then when he was first ill 2 overnights at the vets in the hospital wing..£300 ish..then when we went away he was boarding at the vets-long story. He wasnt any better and they thought they were going to loose him, that was another £800ish.
So no we are no longer covered by insurance.
With all the blood tests, biopsies, internal exams the bill has reached approx 2300 so although i would find the money if i had too, the vets advises until we find a cure for the colitus, surgery is out. (as well as being approx £1400 !) He just wouldnt come through it.
I trust my vet, I hope he is giving me the right advice, and his advice last friday was that we have done as much as we can for him and it is time to let him go. The drug he is on now, as well as the steroids is one specifically for the type of colitus he has. As much as I love my dog, I have to think with my head not my heart......

cazza1968

Thanks for those links mutter. After I posted originally, I have done quite a bit more research, both on Metacan reactions and Colitus. In nearly all cases it seem with colitus that it eventually gets a little better, however Jasper had his first sign of illness on 21/22may and shows little sign of anything improving.
We will have to see how he goes for a while. Once he no longer gets up to say hello, or wants to go out, then I think the decision will be made for me. Not giving up just yet though.....