8 yr old - vomiting/diahhrea

[kcbehel]

Hi, my 8 yr old has been diagnosed with colitis. He has had blood work 3 weeks ago and nothing came back abnormal. He has lost weight, won't eat much, occasional vomiting and diahhrea. He's been on Sulfasalazine but it hasn't seemed to help much. We just had a new addition (Isaac, a 5 months old Shit-zu) on Christmas and my husband seems to think that Bama's depressed. Anyone ever heard of this type of "stress/depression" to this extent with a new puppy?

 

[Austin's Mom]

I don't know if stress or depression would cause vomitting and diareah. Maybe you should try a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice (the long grain kind, not the 5 minute kind) and see what happens. Maybe it's something with what you're feeding? Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[kcbehel]

We've tried Science Diet Sensitive Stomach dry, Science Diet W/D dry, Science Diet I/D canned and most recently, Pedigree canned. Any good suggestions? I'm wondering if it could be an allergy - I'm at my wits end since he's been to the vet 3 times in 2 months. We're going back Monday morning and one of the other vets he's never seen is going to see him. I hope they can give me some help! Thanks though!

 

[cantfindlog]

I don't have suggestions for the throwing up but the dog food you are feeding is not good and may be a source of some of your issues. Please refer to dogfoodanalysis.com. The link is at the bottom of the home page when you log in or type it in. Please educate yourself in proper dog food if you can't feed raw or home cooked. You will be amazed at how many problems will clear up when the dog is fed a proper diet. I have been there with Molly and I switched to a high quality dog food and she has never looked and felt so good. Good luck, I hope you can clear this up. Keep us posted.

 

[SashaAngel]

I concur, dog food analysis is a wonderful source. We switched Sasha immediately upon learning the garbage she was beeing fed. We saw immediate results with just about everything about her. Angel became one of the family in December and was weened from her Puppy Chow from day 1. We fed Canidae ALS and mixed it in with Evangers 100% Meat. We now feed a RAW diet and couldn't be happier.
Good Luck with your research and keep us posted.

 

[gmacleod]

Colitis is relatively common in boxers, unfortunately, and in this breed can be the sort of ulcerative colitis that really causes the dog some problems. Yes, stress can play a part in it, just as in many other illnesses. Or perhaps it is easier to say that stress certainly isn't going to help, anyway - and even if not exact cause, can be the "straw breaking the camel's back".

Dogs with colitis generally do not do well on dry dog foods, especially those containing grains and fillers. Switching the dog to a natural raw diet, or even a grain-free homecooked regime, can work wonders. It may be possible that you'd have some improvement with a better quality dry food (that doesn't contain grains), but I'd personally suggest raw or homecooked in the immediate term - then if you really want to feed dry food, try weaning back onto that once the dog has recovered somewhat (but do choose something better than the toxic junk that Hills and Pedigree make ).

 

[kcbehel]

Update! 8 yr old with colitis

Has anyone had any luck giving canned tuna to their boy/girl? We've been trying to find anything that he'll eat and I know it's not not terribly nutrious, but we tried it and he gobbled it down.

 

[ChristyA]

Dexter was taking an antibiotic that caused him to have diahrrea. The vet prescribed Carafate and Metronizadole (sp?). It has really helped. He had diahrrea for approx. 2 months, some says soft and runny, some days soupy. He is much better now.
Christy
Dexter & Sophie both 9 1/2

 

[Gruntsmom]

Sending healing thoughts for your boy - I hope you get some help at the vet tomorrow, I'll be thinking of him. Please let us know how he is.

 

[kcbehel]

Update from the vet!

I took Bama to the vet first thing this morning and he saw a doctor he'd never seen before who immediately saw something wrong. Thank goodness! The other 2 had not seen him feel this bad as he did today. He weighed 65 lbs which was 10 pounds less than on 3/2/08. He is going to do extensive bloodwork and x-rays today and will have results tomorrow due to having to send the bloodwork to another lab. He did mention possibly Addison's Disease or the worst, cancer. Since I've done some research in the past 2 hours, Bama has most of the symptoms of Addison's (weight loss, increased urinating, increased drinking, vomiting, diahhrea, no energy) which he states is treatable. Anyone out there with a boxer with Addison's or cancer with any of these symptoms? Any comments are welcomed!