Mimismom

The definitive diagnostic test for IBD is intestinal biopsy. It sounds like that wasn't performed. Since that is invasive and requires general anesthesia, often veterinarians will try a medication and food trial to produce the desired results (normal stools and no vomiting). Please make sure that your dog has been dewormed often (strongid) and is taking a monthly heartworm prevention like Interceptor, Sentinel, or Trifexis - which all do an excellent job of deworming against roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. My grey Mimi's stools improved 100% with a Royal Canin diet called GI fiber response, after trying Hill's ID, metronidazole, fortiflora, etc... She is not diagnosed with IBD, but more so with a fiber responsive food sensitivity. Best of luck!

Sentinel covers a larger spectrum of intestinal parasites, and is extremely safe. It is not as palatable as HeartGard, and so Mimi tends to prefer the tablet covered in peanut butter. It also has to be administered with a meal. It is currently sold by veterinarians in multiple doses with a rebate from the pharmaceutical company. Hope this helps.

With anal sac issues, surgical removal should be the final option, after all other medical treatments have failed. The risk of permanent fecal incontinence- however small- is too great and devastating. Adding fish oil and fiber are two dietary options to try. Canned pumpkin daily is very accepted by most dogs. There seems to be a link between skin allergies ( atopic dermatitis) and anal sac issues, which is why some recommend trying antihistamines. Another option is for you to learn how to express your grey's anal sacs- either internally or externally. Please ask your vet for a quick lesson. Good luck.

My Mimi has been vaccinated for both strains- H3N8 and H3N2- using the Merck vaccine. She handled the vaccine well- no side effects.

The daily fish oil dose is 100mg/kg. There are 2.2 pounds in 1 kg. A 70lb dog would receive approx. 3200mg of fish oil daily. To avoid the unwanted side effect of diarrhea, start with 1200mg daily, then increase by 1 capsule for 1 week until you reach 3 capsules daily.

Adequan is a great medication for joint support. It is not an NSAID and can be used with an nsaid as part of a multi-modal approach to pain/inflammation. When it's effective, the nsaid dose often can be greatly reduced (which is preferable). It is labeled to be given intramuscularly BUT many board certified surgeons, rehab veterinarians, and GP veterinarians have been administering adequan subcutaneously (SC) FOR YEARS. Clients can be taught how to administer the injections subcutaneously. Mimi has been receiving the injections every 3 weeks, with positive results. I have also started another supplement, Movoflex, and can report on its effectiveness in 1-2 months. And I see why she was taken off the track at 1.5 years old!!! Better for me and her As part of the multimodal approach to pain/inflammation, you should also be using high doses of fish oil daily. Plant oils (flax seed, coconut) is not as effective as the omega fatty acids in fish oil.

Talk with your veterinarian- best and most affordable option- monthly heartworm pill ( I use and recommend Sentinel products) and deworm with Strongid (pyrantel pamoate) 2 weeks after the heartworm pill is given. This is the protocol that I used to eradicate my grey's hookworms. This is also the protocol that many veterinary parasitologists recommend.

Yes, you can (and should) give fish oil to dogs as a natural anti-inflammatory. It's great for their skin and arthritic joints. They can take fish oil at a total dose of 100mg/kg once a day, but this may lead to diarrhea, so it's best to start at a lower dose. Animal based fatty acids (fish oil) are much more effective than plant based (coconut, flax seed).

Always a great idea...please video your dog "hairball gakking" It's very helpful for your veterinarian. Lumps may need to be aspirated to determine what they are.

There are many "tolerable" non steroidal anti inflammatories in dogs- rimadyl, deramaxx, metacam, etc. It depends on the individual as to whether or not side effects develop (GI issues being the most common) and whether or not it is effective. Just like in humans, maybe my headache improves with ibuprofen, and my husband's headache improves with Excedrin. And always remember that NSAIDs should be given with food.

Kennel cough produces a dry, hacking, occasionally productive cough, which may persist for a long time. It is highly contagious and your dog should be seen by a veterinarian. And yes, please inform the front desk staff about your dog's cough, so the staff can usher you into an exam room asap, directly from the car, to avoid the waiting room. Also, know that other contagious agents, like parainfluenza, a virus, can cause a cough. Both bordetella and parainfluenza can be avoided by vaccination.

Nexgard is excellent. Please know that the veterinary community is starting to recommend oral flea and tick prevention, such as nexgard or simparica. The original topicals, ie. Frontline and Advantage/Advantix, are not very effective anymore; fleas seem to have developed a resistance to them. Also, FYI, all topicals can be washed away with bathing, swimming, etc.

One option to try- just use a high fiber food, such as Royal Canin Fiber Response or Hill's w/d. Both of these have produced normal stools in my girl, after months of probiotics and metronidazole. It is so much better to use a therapeutic diet than add medications. Good luck.