| Inflammatory Bowel Disease | |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease in dogs is very similar to Crohn's disease in humans. It is an auto-immune disorder that is genetically inherited and becoming more common in German Shepherd Dogs and Golden Retrievers. | |
| The IBD should not be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is due to a bowel that is easily irritated by food into either having diarrhea or being constipated - - sometimes going from one to another within a period of days. | |
| IBD can usually be diagnosed by history. Some vets insist that the only true way to diagnose it is my biopsy of the intestine. My "guru" - Dr. Gary Yocham - insists that a carefully compiled history is better than biopsy, as many times the bowel of an IBD dog is referred to as being "friable." That means thin and easily torn. Doing a biopsy can set the dog up for infection and lots of problems. He does not do them unless it is a total, last resort. | |
| IBD can occur any place in the entire digestive tract. Some dogs have "mouth ulcers." Others have vomiting of food and/or blood. Some have distended tummies. Others have severe diarrhea, complete with mucous and/or blood. And, dogs may have all or any of these symptoms, in combination. Of course, one episode may start as vomiting and end with mucous stools a few days later. | |
| If the dog is in good condition prior to an episode, the episode can usually be managed at home. However, if the episodes are coming very close together and rapid weight loss or dehydration is of concern, you must begin the treatment plan with a vet visit. PCV is the best way to test of dehydration - - don't trust "dry mouth" or drooping skin. It isn't always reliable. | |
| Drugs of choice by vets are: Prednisolone or other steroids to stop inflammation of the gut. This isn't always a bad thing - - just try and keep it for those episodes that are severe. Antibiotic to protect against secondary infection as the bowel/ small intestine / stomach/ etc. is very raw and irritated. Flagyl is often prescribed - - it isn't bad, and it IS easy on the gut, but it isn't the most effective. Baytril - started as injection and followed with pills, is really the IBD antibiotic of choice. Be careful with long term Flagyl use - - it is very hard on the liver and can easily become toxic for the dog - - especially if the dog is a bit dehydrated. Tylan, a powder antibiotic, is very effective in IBD dogs and is great for longterm use. It comes in a plastic jar. Don't be surprised if the jar has directions for chickens - - yep, that's what it was originally used for. It is very good. | |
| The best prescription drug for vomiting is actually an anti-seizure medication called Phenobarbital. It comes in 60 mg. tablets and you can give up to 90mg. in a 90lb. dog - - up to 3 times a day. It may make some dogs very sleepy. It also helps to calm down the peristaltic action of the gut. It is wonderful to have on hand to help stop an IBD attack that is just starting. | |
| For diarrhea, Immodium and Pepto bismol usually won't work in an IBD dog. Lomotil, a prescription drug, is your best bet. Again, it stops peristaltic action and slows the gut down. You may use it in combination with Phenobarbital without harming the dog. In a 90lb. dog, up to 10 tablets of Lomotil may be given in one day. This sounds like a dose for an elephant, but with a bad IBD attack, it may be necessary. | |
| When an attack starts, my advice is to hit it hard and don't let up. My boy seemed to be OK after about 24 hours and several times over the years, I stopped the medication only to have him start up again in 8-12 hours after the last dose. If an attack starts - - stay with your protocol at least 3 days to beat the monster of IBD into submission. | |
| Between overt episodes, here's what I used and why - dose is for 90 lb. dog: | |
| 4 cups of W/D dry kibble divided into 3 daily feedings - adding 1/2 c. of liquid to each feeding - plus: | |
| 2 TBSP. of oat bran per feeding - and I fed my dog 3 times a day Oat bran is a great intestinal cleanser and helps the stool hold water. I fed my boy 3 times a day so that he never was too full, never too hungry. Start with 1 tsp. of oat bran per feeding and gradually increase the amount over a period of weeks. | |
| Vitamin E capsules - 1 per feeding, all natural. To boost antioxidant effects. | |
| Cayenne Pepper in capsule - at least 2 per feeding - this has been shown to prevent colon and rectal cancers, as well as stomach ulcers. | |
| Acidophillus - tablet or powder - to help maintain good bacteria. I used 3 or 4 per day and increased that to 10-12 per day when the dog was taking antibiotics. | |
| Vitamin C - at least 2000 miligrams a day. START SLOWLY as some dogs react by getting diarrhea | |
| Aloe Vera Juice - some brands taste very bitter. Find a brand that you cannot smell and chances are your dog won't know it is on his food. My boy used to drink it from a bowl between feedings. I started with 1/8 cup and worked up to 1/4 cup twice a day. Best purchased at a health food store - not the supermarket or chain drugstore. | |
| UCJ3 or Intestinal Health Formula - - this is a product from Nature's Sunshine up in Utah. It has slippery elm and black cohash and other things that help to soothe the intestinal tract. | |
| Pepcid 20mg. - first thing in the AM and last thing at night before bed. | |
| Green Tea - brew it fairly strong and let it cool. Add at least 1/2 cup to each feeding and offer frequently thoughtout the day. My dog loved it. If your dog doesn't, try adding it to the water bowl - - won't hurt any of the animals. Very good antioxidant and boost the immune system. Also very good when dog is nauseated or vomiting. Helps to sooth the tummy. | |
| I used only room temp. bottled or reverse osmosis water. Things that are too cold, like ice, may trigger an attack in some dogs. | |
| IBD dogs need routine. They need to eat the same food at the same time. They need to have about the same amount of exercise each day - - at about the same time. If they get too excited, they can have an attack. If they get too bored, they can have an attack. And, some attacks come on no matter what you do. | |
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