Merlin Is Sick Again :(

[LBass]

Sending you and Merlin warm thoughts and healing energy. What a miserable experience.

[Tallgreydogmom]

Is anyone from your area driving down to the Greyhound Conference next week? Maybe Merlin could come down with them. They do have foster homes for out of town greyhounds. He sounds like a sick boy. This has been going on too long.

 

Please ask for a consult with OSU.

 

Hugs and kisses to the furbabies

[Guest momofevie]

Hoping for relief for both you and Merlin. Hugs to both of your boys.

[mychip1]

Hi Kerry,

 

So sorry to hear that Merlin had another horrible night. Amber has a point about the I/D and the flagyl......

 

The fact that he's throwing up so much is worrisome, too.

[fsugrad]

Kerry, so sorry to hear that Merlin and you are still going through this. When Robin had his mystery skin ailment last year (which turned out to be an autoimmune disease, pemphigus) everyone was stumped as to what it could be til we took him the the Univ of FL Vet School, and they figured it out right away. Maybe a trip to a vet school would be a good idea, as I see George's mom suggested.

Sending lots of hugs. Please keep us posted.

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

I have nothing good to offer as I have never experienced this but my heart breaks knowing your boy is so sick... I hope you find the solution ASAP. Thinking of you.

[PrairieProf]

Oh no, I'm so sorry. Crap. When you were just talking D and not eating yesterday I started wondering whether he needed a probiotic to counter the effects the Flagyl (I've had Beth on Proviable, which my vet feels is the best, daily), but this is clearly beyond that.

 

I was thinking about Z/D too -- IF he has IBD that is based on a reaction to protein(s), this (or another hydrolyzed protein food, such as Purina HA) will help. (The I/D might have helped temporarily then because of the change from the fish in his former ProPlan to egg and chicken, but it might explain why it didn't work long term.) Z/D is what RobinM's Beau is on, and my best friend's dog has been on HA for years and does great. But it seems it would help to get a little more clarity as to what the problem is.

 

It does seem like good specialists in the Boston area would make more sense logistically than OSU... this is awful but it probably isn't greyhound-specific.

Edited April 27, 2011 by PrairieProf

[Guest greybookends]

Kerry I have been keeping Merlin in my prayers. I hope you get some answers soon.

[mychip1]

Kerry,

 

I know a few people have mentioned the sucralfate. That is the medication Dustin gets in addition to the Flagyl. I've always assumed it's like a pepcid, but if you read some of the info, it sounds a little more intense.....maybe something to chat with the vet on.

 

Here's a link. I guess that it is only right now a "human" drug per FDA - but vets have authority to dispense. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000536/

[sweetdogs]

Oh Kerry, I'm so sorry. Maybe it's time to back up and go back to basics. He improved on the I/D and Flagyl right? Just that and nothing else? And then he started to decline again when going off the Flagyl and the treats/Panacur were introduced?

 

This is my thinking as well. I can't imagine what the specialist is thinking recommending Merlin eat what he wants. There were some suggestions in Kebo's thread about different ways to "serve" I/D - I'll find the posts & link them here. http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/271019-canned-food-help/ (Re-reading, not sure if that will be helpful.)

 

As for not being a trained vet & not knowing what questions to ask, there are plenty of untrained vet people here who can give you tons of guidance. Writing down your questions & journaling Merlin's diet/meds/episodes is really helpful because I think I remember things, but reviewing what I've written reminds me I don't. If your vets can't/won't guide you through this, you have to do it yourself. Don't think you can't - you can.

Edited April 27, 2011 by sweetdogs

[4greyhounds]

Sending many good thoughts that Merlin feels better.

[Guest oldNELLIE]

Oh Kerry, I'm so sorry. Maybe it's time to back up and go back to basics. He improved on the I/D and Flagyl right? Just that and nothing else? And then he started to decline again when going off the Flagyl and the treats/Panacur were introduced?

 

I am so sorry Kerry. I am going to 2nd or 3rd this...If Merlin is "off" the I/D for the moment then cover it and put it away to try again later. His tummy is so upset that he probably doesn't need or want a ton of food and as long as he is drinking and you are able to get him is meds in a little bit of food then I wouldn't worry about him eating regular meals for the time being. If he starts losing a ton of weight then it is a different story, but for now I think it is safe to just give him what you know helped him improve.

 

The I/D is the only thing that helps Nellie when she is dealing with her stress colitis. I tried rice once and (my apologies for TMI) her diarrhea was nothing but rice grains.

[Guest Stripeyfan]

Oh man, I am so sorry Merlin's had a relapse. FWIW we declined to have an endoscopy/biopsy done for Kelly as our vet admitted it could be inconclusive AND might make him sicker. I have no more advice at this point but please know we're thinking of you here across the pond.

[Guest IHeartDogs]

I think at this point you need to consult with some other vet or specialist; i was disappointed to hear the vet told you to feed him whatever.

After all those other tests you've done, it really sounds like IBD to me. His system is totally upset and will continue to be inflamed.

A 24 hour fast and then try the Hill's Z/D or Purina HA. Do not give any additional treats/food, only the Z/D or HA.

Maybe try the slippery elm tree bark powder that somebody recommended or sucralfate to help coat and soothe stomach and intestinal track.

Dose pepcid 30 mins before feeding and wait 3-4 hours before giving sucralfate (needs to be given on an empty stomach).

Pred is used for so many different illnesses and it will help control inflammation and stop his horrible runs. Once he is stabilized you can figure out what long term food/meds you want to put him on. You should see improvement within a couple days once this therapy starts.

If Merlin keeps at this he will be skin and bones... I hope something works soon. Sending tons of healing thoughts and to you and your DH.

 

Keep us updated.

Edited April 27, 2011 by IHeartDogs

[seeh2o]

Damn, I'm sorry you guys had a bad night. It's so hard and scary when they are sick and you can't "fix" it right away. Sending good thoughts to Mr. Wizard and to you.

[Hawthorn]

I'm so sorry to hear that Merlin is still suffering .

 

I don't have much experience of this but will tell you a little story about Charlie, my first greyhound, in case it helps at all. Charlie started suffering from recurrent bouts of bloody diarrhoea when he was 6 years old. My vet at the time called it colitis and I'm really not sure how similar or not this is to IBD, but the symptoms seem very similar. Over the course of about 6 months he had several bouts, which were treated with antibiotics and steroids and a bland home-cooked diet. Each time I would think he was better and then he'd get another bout. I started to do my own research into alternative cures, and discovered aloe vera gel. If you google it, you'll find a fair amount of information about its use in people and dogs with digestive complaints. Anyway, I started giving it to Charlie every day and he never had another bout and was eventually able to eat a normal diet again. I carried on giving it to him for the rest of his life.

 

I hesitated to post this, because I obviously can't be sure that it was the aloe vera that helped Charlie (although I do strongly believe that it was) and one anecdote doesn't amount to much at the end of day, but I decided I would mention it because I know that if I were in your position I'd want to hear about anything which might possibly help. However, please feel free to take my comments with a large pinch of salt ...

 

My continued best wishes for Merlin and you .

[ozgirl2]

I am so so sorry.

 

By now means as severe, the last time Enza had diarrhea, my vet said that rice just doesn't seem to work so we went with instant mashed potatoes. It's easier to digest and she will eat it.

 

Fingers cross there are others options than a scope.

 

 

Cody couldn't have rice - she'd have horrible gurgly stomach. She was always on boiled hamburger & cooked pasta when she had intestinal problems. But never rice! Maybe he's allergic to it? My vet said that's more common than people think...

Also - I always used Prozyme on her food (digestive enzyme) in between her bouts of bloody diarrhea.

 

Hope you can find something that works for poor Merlin!!

[Guest MorganKonaAlex]

I know a few people have mentioned the sucralfate. That is the medication Dustin gets in addition to the Flagyl. I've always assumed it's like a pepcid, but if you read some of the info, it sounds a little more intense.....maybe something to chat with the vet on.

 

Here's a link. I guess that it is only right now a "human" drug per FDA - but vets have authority to dispense. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000536/

I've had a few dogs on it and I was on it during chemo. It's a different medication than pepcid and you can be on both at the same time. However, it should not be taken exactly at the same time as other medications because it coats the stomach and will cause the other medications to not get absorbed. Sucralfate and Flagyl are 2 medications I keep on hand to use if needed with my pups.

[Xan]

Oh, yeah. Reading along, I'm reminded of some of the other stuff we had for Happy. Enzymes, check. Tylan, check. Pred., check, then replaced with budesonide later, check. Slippery elm! Check.

 

I love the idea of aloe. Make sure what you give him doesn't have any alcohol in the mix, of course.

 

I also think you're doing right to fast him a bit, let his system find some balance, get less irritated.

 

Kerry, I'm over here chanting like crazy for you guys!!

:bighug

[Guest greyhound1]

Sending prayers for Merlin.

[greyhead]

Kerry, I PM'd you with a link to one of Spencer's IBD threads, relating to his ultrasound findings.

 

For anyone else who's interested, here's the link: Spencer's ultrasound and particulary post #27. It reminded me about the "lymphangectasia" and "dilated lacteals" that the US found and which pointed to IBD, thus avoiding surgical biopsy when endoscopy wouldn't even work. I'm hoping Merlin's ultrasound at least showed what area of his intestines has the problem and am hoping to help Kerry ask her vet about it.

Edited April 27, 2011 by greyhead

[carronstar]

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for Merlin. I hope a solution is found for his poor tummy soon.

[Magdalyn58]

Sending prayers and positive thoughts for Merlin.

[MerlinsMum]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I haven't had a chance to read all my PMs yet but I will reply ASAP.  I just got back from walking the dogs - separately. Merlin had bloody diarrhea again and it was a strange raspberry type color I was at the vet for over an hour earlier today. While I was at the dentist (for a crown AND a root canal - a good day! ) she called me and left a long message addressing all my questions and the suggestions I received here. She suggested I catch her before her afternoon appointments. I drove over there and we went through everything - she still thinks the most likely scenario is IBD. We went over so many possibilities that my head was spinning at the end of it all. But we decided that we're going to try the I/D again (wet only as it's easier to digest) and Flagyl for the next 24 hours, then I'll add Tylan. I'll update her daily. I have to monitor his gums, and monitor him for signs of weakness, etc.

 

She did suggest that if things get really bad we may have to consider surgery. Of course it's even more invasive than an endoscopy, so very scary but it would give us answers in a way that the scope might not. Anyway, that's hopefully a distant option. What worries me most at this time is watching him vomit and have bloody diarrhea constantly, and not knowing what to do (and feed him) on a day-to-day basis.

 

Susan - thanks for your offer! Merlin is already seeing a specialist - that's where we did the ultrasound. I spoke with her again yesterday when she suggested switching from the Metro to Tylan and then proceeding with a scope of that doesn't work. I just don't want to waste money on a scope that might tell me nothing when I can use that money on finding something that works for him. I will willingly go into debt for my wizard, but the way things are going that's going to be the case anyway, so I need to make sure that I go into debt to obtain a *result*. I am petrified of finding myself completely broke and unable to make the best decisions for Merlin if things get really bad.

 

I am beyond worried about going to work and leaving him tomorrow. I have so much to do that I can't take any more time off right now... I'm going to have to separate the dogs so that I can leave Merlin unmuzzled in case he needs to vomit. Sagan is NOT going to like that at all, I hope he doesn't freak out

 

Anyway, the vet sent us home with Sucralfate as well. I have to give it to him 30 minutes before I give him his Pepcid.

 

Oh, and I love my vet. She met with me for well over an hour and she didn't charge me a penny.

Edited April 27, 2011 by MerlinsMum

[Jackandgrey]

Oh Kerry, I'm so sorry. Maybe it's time to back up and go back to basics. He improved on the I/D and Flagyl right? Just that and nothing else? And then he started to decline again when going off the Flagyl and the treats/Panacur were introduced?

 

Hang in there, I know the awful rollar coaster you are on

 

Good point Amber. Kerry my heart goes out to you. I can only imagine how scary this is.

Edited April 27, 2011 by Jackandgrey