I wondered if you know of anyone who has been in the same situation we sadly are with Izzy at the moment? She has been diagnosed with colitis and rectal carcinoma recently.
She is such a lovely girl and we really want to make the right decision for HER...not selfish for us and not taking into account finances, though may have to rob a bank! I wondered if anyone has been in the same situation? Surgery may be a possibility, though , it’s pretty major, and we have already been told the tumour will regrow. We’re soul searching as to what is kindest for Izzy.
Anyone else's experiences/outcomes may help, We don't want to pit her through so much if her quality of life is not likely to improve, indeed may do the opposite if surgery is opted for, however we do want to give her the best option.
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Showing posts with label Colitis advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colitis advice. Show all posts
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Colitis advice
Angus, our 12 3/4 year old rescue GSDx has been diagnosed with colitis. We have had dogs all our lives (both of us late-middle age).
We realise now he may have been suffering intermittently for some time but, as he is a scavenger, put earlier attacks down to horrible stuff he'd eaten. Is wormed with Advocate because of his scavenging.
He has a course of anti-biotics and a tube of paste to 'bandage' his intestine and has otherwise recovered within 24 hours.
We wondered what was the best way to manage things now. We're going to a regime of 'little and often' senior diet and thought about probiotic yoghurts and things. Any other tips?
S & J Munroe
It sounds to me as if you are feeling guilty at not spotting that Angus had problems before now. If that is the case, please do not feel guilty because colitis can be hard to diagnose. I suspect that whatever he was eating when scavenging was indeed triggering bouts of colitis but standard treatment for an upset stomach was sufficient. This time, however, he needed additional help with antibiotics and a gut protectant.
Colitis means an inflamed colon. It may develop following a bout of diarrhoea, or it may occur in its own right in response to a particular food or titbit, scavenging or dietary indiscretion, or stress, for example. You may well have some of your own ideas for what is triggering Angus’s colitis. Many dogs prone to colitis do very well on a low fat diet, or a high fibre diet, or a diet with one particular protein. It ishowever, important to stick to a dietary strategy once you have found what suits Angus. That is the key to reducing the risk of further bouts of colitis.
A simple change in the water Angus is drinking can also act as a trigger, such as when you go away. If you suspect this is the case, then try Angus on bottled water at home and if he is fine then give him the same bottled water when you go away. There may also be an element of stress involved since he will be out of his home environment, in which case a pheromone plug-in or spray would be worth considering.
Supplements such as pre- and pro-biotics are certainly worth trying. Above all, though, I cannot over-emphasise how important it is to try to avoid changing Angus’s diet once you have found what suits him. Having needed antibiotics this time, Angus will have been examined by a vet who will be willing to advise on a suitable diet for him, prescription or otherwise, and any other ways of reducing the likelihood of Angus having colitis again.
Colitis is not a pleasant condition for Angus and it is distressing for you as his owners. I do hope you find a simple way of managing it so that he only has rare bouts.
Alison Logan, vet
We realise now he may have been suffering intermittently for some time but, as he is a scavenger, put earlier attacks down to horrible stuff he'd eaten. Is wormed with Advocate because of his scavenging.
He has a course of anti-biotics and a tube of paste to 'bandage' his intestine and has otherwise recovered within 24 hours.
We wondered what was the best way to manage things now. We're going to a regime of 'little and often' senior diet and thought about probiotic yoghurts and things. Any other tips?
S & J Munroe
It sounds to me as if you are feeling guilty at not spotting that Angus had problems before now. If that is the case, please do not feel guilty because colitis can be hard to diagnose. I suspect that whatever he was eating when scavenging was indeed triggering bouts of colitis but standard treatment for an upset stomach was sufficient. This time, however, he needed additional help with antibiotics and a gut protectant.
Colitis means an inflamed colon. It may develop following a bout of diarrhoea, or it may occur in its own right in response to a particular food or titbit, scavenging or dietary indiscretion, or stress, for example. You may well have some of your own ideas for what is triggering Angus’s colitis. Many dogs prone to colitis do very well on a low fat diet, or a high fibre diet, or a diet with one particular protein. It ishowever, important to stick to a dietary strategy once you have found what suits Angus. That is the key to reducing the risk of further bouts of colitis.
A simple change in the water Angus is drinking can also act as a trigger, such as when you go away. If you suspect this is the case, then try Angus on bottled water at home and if he is fine then give him the same bottled water when you go away. There may also be an element of stress involved since he will be out of his home environment, in which case a pheromone plug-in or spray would be worth considering.
Supplements such as pre- and pro-biotics are certainly worth trying. Above all, though, I cannot over-emphasise how important it is to try to avoid changing Angus’s diet once you have found what suits him. Having needed antibiotics this time, Angus will have been examined by a vet who will be willing to advise on a suitable diet for him, prescription or otherwise, and any other ways of reducing the likelihood of Angus having colitis again.
Colitis is not a pleasant condition for Angus and it is distressing for you as his owners. I do hope you find a simple way of managing it so that he only has rare bouts.
Alison Logan, vet
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