RichardW Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 Hi, Our retired racer (Charlie) is about 11 now and in the last few months has had stomach issues and has been loosing weight (he's lost about 10% of his body weight this year ) He has had blood tests and they all came back clear. I have just been reading about IBS in greyhounds and I think he fits the description pretty well and will try and get an ultrasound to investigate it. He has always been fed on grain-free kibble previously which has also begun to shy away from without some raw food mixed in so I am thinking of changing to a complete raw diet. Our daughter was born last November so as much as we try to give him his own space, the house a suddenly got a lot busier and I think I have to admit he's probably more anxious as a result. He is still pretty happy within himself (we think!) and still gets plenty of attention and long walks etc. He is our first greyhound so we are still learning as we go, and would value any advise any of you might have! Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 He's a handsome boy. There probably is some stress involved with having a child in the house now. Does he shy away from your daughter or show some curiosity toward her? Has he had a chest and abdominal xray? Any heart issues? Murmurs? Enlarged but within normal range for a greyhound? Is your vet greyhound-savvy? Check the threads posted here on GT regarding heart disease and the dangers of grain free foods. I'm not sure how that would fit in with the possible IBS though. Has he been eating normally? Any diarrhea? Are you in the UK or the US? Feeding raw is complex to provide a proper nutrient balance. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 Was he checked for giardia? And other intestinal parasites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 If you're doing an ultra sound make sure you have them check for heart failure. Feeding a grain free diet has been linked to congestive heart failure by the FDA, and is currently being investigated. Our boy's only symptoms of (congenital) CHF was persistent diarrhea and weight loss, and a small dry cough. Even if you decide to switch to raw, please make sure you include whole grains in the mix. 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...
zimsmom Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 My 15 year old had diarrhea on & off her last few months. A coarse of Flagyl & Tylan powder always helped a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 Stick with simple stool samples and other easy to afford and!administer options. The change in the house could have started a slight case of colitis. But only science will know. Tylan or flagyl are great drugs when used properly. Vets are aware of the issues of overdosing. Annie was on flagyl for 5 month with 0 problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardW Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share Posted October 15, 2021 Thanks for all your advice. We have an ultrasound booked on Monday so hopefully that will give us answers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 I hope your news is better than my Monday results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardW Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 Hi everyone, We are still struggling to get any conclusive answers so if anyone has any further advise I would greatly appreciate it. Although the diarrhoea has stopped now we have changed his food to a mixture of wet food and chicken and veg porridge that we make up, he is always starving hungry. Even though he get about double what he should need to eat and he can't put any weight back on. He used to be 30kg and now we can't get him above about 25kg and he looks painfully thin. Its as though he just isn't properly absorbing anything. He has been tested for just about everything imaginable and nothing has come back except on the ultrasound it appeared he might have a slightly inflamed bowel but nothing too severe. We are really running out of ideas so any suggestions are very gratefully received. Thanks a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 The only thing I can add is that if you haven't done so, try feeding him multiple small meals instead of larger meals. Some of our seniors over the years have done much better on 4 small meals a day as opposed to 2 larger meals. It seems like this is the age where they get "senioritis" and this kind of stuff happens. 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...
tbhounds Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Have him checked for EPI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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