For all you Mc'ers out there with dogs

[suzieq]

Hi all,

First an update on me. I'm doing ok with MC since I added an antihistamine and Magnesium spray/lotion to my daily routine. I remain gf, cf, sf and ef and on a low fodmap diet. Sometimes I get a little constipated but I'll take that over diarrhea.

Two weeks ago my 12 1/2 year old Black Lab came down with diarrhea. At first we thought that it was because we made a change in her food too quickly, if that was the case it should have cleared up in a few days. It didn't clear up and we brought her to the vet. So I am making her white rice and chicken and giving her doggie kaopectate for the diarrhea. She had 2 small but normal bm's 2 days in a row so we starting adding in small amounts of prescription dog food. The diarrhea came right back. I've been sleeping on the sofa in the living room so I can get her out quickly if she needs to go at night. I called the vet back yesterday and now I have to give her something stronger, the vet told me it's used to treat IBD and colitis, well I just cracked up laughing. I apologized and told her that I've been dealing with MC for over 5 years and just only got it under control. I told her that I could see this scenario if she was my biological child but she's my dog.

So now, my dog will continue on chicken and rice, doggie kaopectate and the new med till normal bm. Then I will start to add small amounts of dog food to the chicken and rice.

Since I've moved to NC I've had several flares and stay close to home or somewhere where there's a bathroom in sight and I still do, MC has made me paranoid. Then I broke my foot and was housebound a bit longer. Now I stay in so the dog doesn't mess in the house, I can't catch a break.

Thanks for listening,
Susanne

[jessica329]

Hi Susanne,

We have A LOT of health issues with our dog, so I can certainly sympathize with you. Because he's a senior, we sometimes find small turds around the house and now know better than to pick it up with our hands thinking it's a raisin from our son, LOL. I suspect it's just a case of less bowel control due to age, so I don't mind.

[tex]

Susanne,

MC is actually somewhat common in dogs, as are various other digestive system issues. And just as it is with humans, processed foods are the cause. The BARF diet (totally devoid of any grains) is the solution. The post at the following link is over 10 years old now, but it's still good information.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3149

Tex

[suzieq]

Hi Tex,

Thanks so much for the link. I read some of it and will finish up to later, there's a lot of info there.

My Bailey was diagnosed a few months ago with Cushings disease and we were advised to put her on a limited ingredient diet (It's grain free) and give her Pepcid. What made us bring her to the vet was that she was compulsively eating dirt, a new hobby. She would eat grass but never dirt.

A few weeks ago the diarrhea started when we change the flavor of her food but not the brand and we didn't do it slowly. Bailey is now on doggie kaopectate and has 3 doses of Flagyl in her. She hasn't had a bm since the diarrhea yesterday morning. We are gradually adding in her dog food to the chicken and rice.

She is 12 1/2 yrs old. She had a mast cell tumor removed 4+ years ago and had ACL surgery on one of her knees. Other than that she's been pretty healthy.

I've been sleeping with her most nights in case she has to go out and I'm her constant companion. If she seems good, I'll go out for a little bit.

Thanks,
Susanne

[tex]

You're very welcome. I hope the diet changes and meds will allow her to get back to normal soon.

Tex