EnzaFerrari Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I am glad Merlin ate. As for Slippery Elm, I had no problem finding it at the local stores. It is in a pill form that you break and turn into a tea. I used it when Enza had colitis and I was content with the results. IE - not sure how much it helped but it clearly had no negative impact. As a whole, I tend to prefer mixing holistic with modern medicine as I figure if it is a cure that is made by nature and a known curative for hundreds of years, then it is worth trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Really hope the food goes through him OK and that the increased dose of flagyl helps. FWIW, slippery elm is an actual herbal product rather than a homeopathic one. This website http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm has rational info about a lot of herbals. Continued good thoughts for your boy. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I have heard good things about A/D food, I hope it agrees with Merlin! I have not used slippery elm on Fletcher, my iBD dog, but I do take the capsules myself when I have to take a lot of pain and/or allergy medicine, and it definitely helps ease my stomach. It is an herb, and I never had any trouble finding it, I think even some grocery stores carry it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Budesonide is a great alternative to pred for IBD. Budesonide targets the gut and doesn't have the broad systemic effects of pred. It also doesn't lead to muscle wasting and weight loss. The only side effect we experienced is fur loss. Spencer has been on it for a little over two years and we've been able to decrease the dose down to .5 mg every three days. It isn't cheap, but it's worth it. We started with 3 mg and worked our way down. We have it compounded at a pharmacy in AZ called Roadrunner. Let me know if you want the contact info. They are used to working with vets and ship fast and economically. (I think they overnight the first order with free shipping, IIRC.) Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Checking in for todays update and I am so glad Merlin finally ate something. How is he today? I do hope the new food doesn't cause more issues. I used to get my Slippery Elm Bark from the US, as do others here in Ontario. It was not a powder, but actual shreds of the bark...but of course feeding it to a horse is different than to a human or dog. As far as the Marshmallow Root...it is also an herb. I have not used it on horses but know some who have with great success. Please give our Wizard a big from me!! An give yourself a Nancy Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 How did the Wizard do yesterday? I hope things went well with the A/D and he ate again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share Posted August 19, 2011 (edited) Thanks for the link, Jey, and thank you to everyone who clarified that it's Slippery Elm Bark I should be looking for. Maybe I gave the vet the wrong information. Budesonide is a great alternative to pred for IBD. Budesonide targets the gut and doesn't have the broad systemic effects of pred. It also doesn't lead to muscle wasting and weight loss. The only side effect we experienced is fur loss. Spencer has been on it for a little over two years and we've been able to decrease the dose down to .5 mg every three days. It isn't cheap, but it's worth it. We started with 3 mg and worked our way down. We have it compounded at a pharmacy in AZ called Roadrunner. Let me know if you want the contact info. They are used to working with vets and ship fast and economically. (I think they overnight the first order with free shipping, IIRC.) Thanks. I mentioned this to my vet a few months ago, and she said that if she ever put him on Budesonide, it would only be after trying Prednisone, if the side effects of Pred were too much for him. Not having any experience of the drug, I have looked it up, and I have found several very positive reviews of the use of Budesonide over Prednisone in veterinary practice, so I am planning to bring it up again with my vet when I talk to her next week. We had discussed the possibility of giving me some pred to administer for a little while when I see Merlin start to go off his food again (the very first symptom that a flare-up is developing - it starts about 7-10 days before the full-blown flare-up). Now for the good news: Merlin is officially EATING!!! :yay And what's more, his stool this morning, while still diarrhea, DEFINITELY looks as if it's firming up!! :yay :yay But wait! There's more Yesterday afternoon something changed and he started to feel better. I know because his eyes had been lifeless, his demeanor was subdued, he hardly got up for anything, he just wanted to be left alone (it was breaking my heart ). But yesterday afternoon, after I played Stuffy Wars with Sagan, I left the stuffed toy on the carpet and went into the adjoining room to lie down on the futon for a few minutes, as I'd had an exhausting day at work. Then I heard a bounce and DH saying "What are you doing Mr. Merlin??" with amazement in his voice. I got up and Merlin was doing his goofy twirl in the living room with the stuffy in his mouth I was overjoyed, we both were. So I'm hoping hoping hoping we've turned a corner :goodluck He loves this A/D stuff. I am now feeding him some wet I/D, some I/D kibble, and then smearing the A/D all over it, so that he will eat the I/D too. And so far it's working! He even asked for more food after breakfast this morning, but I don't want to overload his stomach at this point, so I didn't give him extra. I might give him some more at lunchtime. I know that the A/D diet is only meant to be temporary, so I want to wean him off it and back onto the I/D as soon as possible, but I also don't want to rush his recovery. Thank you for your continued good thoughts!! Edited August 19, 2011 by MerlinsMum Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mychip1 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 :yay :yay Yeah...Merlin!!!! Quote Robin, EZ (Tribal Track), JJ (What a Story), Dustin (E's Full House) and our beautiful Jack (Mana Black Jack) and Lily (Chip's Little Miss Lily) both at the BridgeThe WFUBCC honors our beautiful friends at the bridge. Godspeed sweet angels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Yeah! Appetite improving and poops firming up...life couldn't be better. Go Wizard go! Love ya fella! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Yippee!!!!! Keep up the good work, Mr Wizard! Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misspiggy Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 So glad to hear Merlin is eating and feeling better Hope this continues All good thoughts going your way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potomacpupsmom Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Keep it up Merlin! It's great that you are eating AND playing!!! Quote Humans Kathy and Jim with our girls, Ivy (Carolina Spoon) and Cherry (Fly Cherry Pie) Missing our beautiful angel Breeze (Dighton Breeze) and angel Beka (BM Beko) - you are forever in our hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Love the encouraging update! Keep it up Merlin. Love the encouraging update! Keep it up Merlin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Good boy wizard, Merlin! Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvhounds2 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 So happy to hear this bit of better news!!! We're still sending many healing wishes & good thoughts out to "our" Merlin! Luv, Tick, Mac & Mama Quote Barb, Mom to Grey's Tickertape & Grey's McCarthy.Always missing: Wizzie and Desi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Whew! It's so good to hear good news! Keep up the good work! Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kestrel Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Glad to hear of the improvement, and sending you all continued good wishes! Go Merlin! Quote Kendra, devoted walker of Henry (Tom Jones: Great Son x Lucia) Missing Badger (Vf Get R Done: Quicksand Slip x Ll Tee el See), 5/04 - 2/14, who opened our hearts and our home to greyhounds; Kenzie (Slatex Kenzie: Randy Handy x Slatex Chrisy), 4/03 - 10/14, who really knew what a good dog she was; Falcon (Atascocita Sabat: Dodgem by Design x Atascocita Barb), 9/10 - 1/20, who was grumpy and snarky but eventually a little bit cuddly, too; Grandpa Grey the Galgo Español, 2008 (?) to 2022, who made us feel lucky to be the ones to teach him about pet life; and Lucia (Larking About x Anastasia, 5/12 to 8/23), our first brood matron and the sweetest speckly girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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