Guest Flyersmom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Flyer is 9 and had digestive issues off and on since we got him 5 yrs. ago. In the past he has responded well to Hills I/D and an antibiotic. But typically eats Pro Plan Large Breed (not the shredded blend) as that was the only thing that seemed to keep the poop shaped. He has also recently been illegally snacking on cat food and any animal's poop he could find. Recently, he has begun to lose weight (down 13 lbs) and have explosive episodes in the house. They were few and far between until we went to the vet and he was diagnosed with probable IBD due to a low protein and history of digestive problems. X-ray showed an inflamed intestines. He's on sentinel and we did deworm him even though fecal was clear. The vet put him on Z/D food, Metronidazole, and Pro-Pectalin tablets. We are almost 2 weeks into this treatment and he is worse. He's gobbled up the food for the first week and then went down to almost a cup a day (from 7). His diarrhea is constant (though, less frequent, 2x day) and shows no sign of improving. I have a call in to the vet as this doesn't seem like an effective treatment. So far, his energy level is still up and he shows no other symptoms other than the weight loss and diarrhea. Next step is an ultrasound to rule out any kind of cancer, but I feel in my gut that it may be a food (cat food) issue and am looking for ideas. Anyone have anything I can bring up in the vet conversation or have experience with this Z/D food? Thanks, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 One of our pups has IBD but not a Greyhound. We have her on hypoallergenic Royal Canin rabbit food and she is taking budesonide as pred was killing her slowly. She stablized on this a while back and so far so good. Good thoughts for your pup and I would check out budesonide as it works wonders. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flyersmom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Thank you for your quick response! I'm writing that medication down and will ask if he's a candidate today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 IBD needs to be diagnosed with a colon biopsy, otherwise you are guessing. Z/D is really bad food Where do you live? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I think several people have had luck on fish based foods. Fish is also recommended for IBD in humans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flyersmom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I was kind of hoping to hear that about Z/D. The result seems to be much worse than the original food. Any recommendations? We live in Tampa, FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I don't have any personal experience, but it sems to me that dogs with IBD need to be kept strictly on their diet and schedule. Any deviation can set them off. Getting illegal cat food could be the problem. Find a place where the cat can still get to it, but the dog can't. Same with the litter box. And get a muzzle with a stool guard for outside so he can't get into poop out there. 7 cups of food also sems like a lot. You might look into a malabsorption issue. One of ours gets Tylan powder on every meal for this. Good luck. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) My vet and I have ongoing debate about the fact that I refuse to feed W/D to Poodle. I just don't want to put that stuff in him. Maybe look at Natural Balance fish and sweet potato or something similar? I agree 7 cups is a LOT but I don't know the details on Z/D. As a human with IBD fiber has helped me a lot, but cellulose in dog food bugs me. It could be wood shavings or cotton. Until about 5 years ago Hill's used peanut hulls in their senior and tarter control Science diet. Edited February 10, 2014 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flyersmom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Yes, I concur Greyaholic. I believe the cat food was the initial problem, he no longer has access to it (and the cats are none too happy with the change). The 7 cups of Z/D (total 3.5c 2x a day) is correct for Flyer's weight. I'll definitely check into the Tylan powder. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boopieface Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Our Angel Katy Sue had IBD with protein losing enteropathy. She was on Hills AD canned (EXPENSIVE - but she was worth every penny), and Hills WD dry with lots of added protein stuff - canned mackeral (NOT in oil ), whey protein powder (she liked the strawberry) and any other protein we could find. She lived a long while eating this diet. Quote Aljo Atomic Kogo and DC Man of Steal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inugrey Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 You definitely want an ultrasound. Diarrhea while on metrinidazole is not normal. Are you seeing a specialist? If not, start that now. Prescription food isn't the prettiest nutrition wise, but it is prescribed for a reason. I would talk to your vet about why Z/D and if it's not working other options. My IBD dog is actually on d/d, which is a skin food. If the intestines are inflamed a steroid may be the best way to get the inflammation under control so you can then start getting to the root of the the issue. Quote Colleen with Covey (Admirals Cove) and Rally (greyhound puppy)Missing my beloved boy INU (CJ Whistlindixie) my sweetest princess SALEM (CJ Little Dixie) and my baby girl ZOE (LR's Tara) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Z/D isn't bad food at all -- it's a miracle. It's a hydrolyzed protein -- preprocessed so that the body doesn't recognize it and can't react to it as an allergen. I hope you can figure out what's up with your dog and get him turned around. 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...
Time4ANap Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 We have had similar issues with Rocket. Our vet diagnosed it as stress colitis, since every time it happens he is boarded or there is some triggering event that we know of. We have just started Tylan and are seeing good results after only a week. Metronidazole has been the go to drug for us for a long time, but just wasn't doing anything this last time. My usual recipe for him when this happens is very mushy over-cooked rice (6 or 7 cups of water to 2 cups of rice) mixed with Evanger's Organic Canned Chicken. It is very easy on his tummy and after a short time of a week or so I can start working him back on to kibble. I also feed 4 times a day instead of two when using this so ;I'm not just shoving food through him. His stomach seems to handle 4 times better than 2, on soft food or on kibble. I will also usually make a huge batch of scrambled eggs and mix this in a couple of the meals each day as well. I prefer the Evanger's organic canned chicken instead of cooking chicken for him. it is very finely ground, easy to digest, and contains only organic chicken and a little bit of organic Guar Gum as a stabilizer. It does not have all of the chemicals and preservatives that the canned ID food has, and on a per can basis is about 1/3 to 1/2 less in price. . The ZD is pretty much junk. Rocket refused to eat it the time that we tried it. As far as kibble, we had good results with Precise Sensicare Lamb Meal and Rice which is made for sensitive stomachs. I only changed because we couldn't seem to feed him enough of it, He was always hungry. I switched to Precise Senior and he has done well on it, although we are continuing to monitor him this time as he goes back on it to see if it may be time for another food change. So far, the Tylan seems to be doing the trick. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHead Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 You may want to look into homecooked for a little bit to see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RMarie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 James never did well on metronidazole. It always made him worse. Same thing with Rx food. After his last bout of loose poops and losing about 10lbs (mal-absorption issues), we opted for a B12 shot and Tylan powder for several weeks. He finally put the weight back on and his poops are good, and that's after switching foods less than a week ago. We're always holding our breath, though. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 IBD needs to be diagnosed with a colon biopsy, otherwise you are guessing. Z/D is really bad food Where do you live? One of our gh's will probably have a colon biopsy. Have you ever had a dog that had a colon biopsy? Any information you can give me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 We had a colon biopsy done on our pup with IBD. It was the only way to know for sure what we were dealing with. It was not a big deal and she is a very small dog at 13lbs. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phall Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 My boy, Star, with colitis, has been on W/D kibble, mixed with some I/D canned, with cooked chicken and pasta added. He gets metronidazole daily. This is the only thing that works for him - after 3 1/2 years. Thankfully, he's thriving. My girl, Joey, has a very sensitive digestive system. I did not want her on W/D and/or I/D, even though she did well on it, if I could help it so talked with a veterinary nutritionist about her. The nutritionist did some research for me on foods (after completing an extensive questionnaire on Joey) and suggested I try Purina Pro Plan grain free. That has been the perfect food for her - she hasn't had a problem since and it's been almost a year. Good luck in finding what works best for your boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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