Boxer Colitis

[Marcia K]

Hello. Our boxer has been having stomach issues for a while now. I thought I was seeing blood in her stool. I changed her food to a grain free one but after a while she wouldn't eat it. About two weeks ago she had a terrible mess on the carpet (looked like cow patties) so I started feeding her chicken & rice or boiled hamburger & rice. She's a smart cookie, she somehow gets the meat without eating the rice. Now today she had another accident on the carpet (which is ruined). When I took her for a walk her stool came out like urine tinged with blood. My husband took a stool sample to the vet and told them that I think she has colitis. The vet said a lot of dogs get seasonal colitis and sent a probiotic home for her. Boxers are prone to colitis and she has every symptom listed - diarrhea; mucous in stool; blood in stool and gas. Sometimes when I watch her from the window she looks like she is constipated. Now we'll wait to see what the vet says next week but I feel so badly for her. The vet also said to give her two prevacid a day. She'll be 9 in August and is our third boxer. The other two had eye ulcer problems but not colitis. How ironic is it that I need a special diet and now her? If anyone has any experience with a dog with colitis please let me know.

[tex]

Hi Marcia,

I haven't had that experience, but apparently it's not uncommon for dogs to have MC. In fact, there's some evidence that people might catch MC from their dogs, and vice versa. If she doesn't improve, you may have to experiment with different foods for her.

Tex

[TXBrenda]

When I checked groceries, some people would buy canned pumpkin when it was on sale. They cooked meat and added the pumpkin to feed to their dogs.

[Marcia K]

Thanks, Tex and Brenda. I hope I can figure out what will work for her. I read about the pumpkin, Brenda. Some people said it helped their dogs and others said it made the stool softer. It's much like us - playing roulette until we find out what works. Yikes, Tex! I hope I didn't get MC from her. I won't like her so much!

[shekoe]

My lab mix has colitis. After many vet visits, medications & diet changes, a vet internist put her on Tylosin, aka, Tylan Powder. It’s a type of antibiotic known as a macrolide. It activates in tthe intestine. She gets 1/4 teasp. 2x/day mixed w/ wet food. It was ( and remains) a miracle drug for her for more than 7 yrs. She is on grain-free lamb-based dry & wet food. You need an Rx from the vet. I buy hers online from Drs. Foster & Smith. Good Luck. How ironic that I have CC & rescued a dogg w/ colitis!

[Marcia K]

Thank you! Bella just started on Metronidazole today but I will keep this is mind. What is the name of the food that you feed your dog? I have to find something that she will eat. She's still on a bland diet but I can't continue to keep feeding her boiled hamburger & chicken. I totally agree - I have LC and now she has this!

[shekoe]

I feed Soleil Canidae Pure Lamb wet & dry food. I sprinkle Tylan powder on & add some bone broth to make it extra moist. I was told by two different vets that metronidazole (sp?) is not to be used for long term treatment. If you have the time, Google homemade dog food. I know a few pet owners who make their pet's food in a crockpot. Being a bit lazy, I order Soleil's from "Chewy.com." Good Luck

[Marcia K]

Thank you, I will check it out. I did look into making food for her. With working full time and having to make my food I dread the thought of having to make special food for her, too. The antibiotic and probiotic seem to be working for her so far.

[shekoe]

Good to hear. Hope she continues to improve.