SheltieAgility
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A year ago, my (then) 10 year old Sheltie was found to be losing protein through his bowel movements. He had some weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and eventually an accumulation of fluid in his abdomen due to the protein loss. The vet originally thought maybe he had a virus because it came on suddenly and he never went off his food. There had been some questionable liver levels on his routine, yearly blood work done the month before, but an u/s was clear aside from some gall bladder sludge, and a follow up showed normal levels.
When he continued to have some diarrhea/vomiting and then I saw labored breathing, which then my vet found the accumulated fluid, I took him to an emergency vet (the day before Thanksgiving 2013). Another an u/s showed nothing remarkable, so he had an endoscopy done. The vet was suspecting IBD, lymphangiectasia or tumors/cancer. Biopsies taken showed he has lymphangiectasia. He was sent home on cerenia for vomiting, flagyl for diarrhea, prednisone for inflamed intestines, sub-q antibiotics and vitamin B12 shots. I was told to eliminate fat from his diet and feed a high quality protein. Thankfully, he has been doing really well. I was all set to cook for him, but the vet recommended Royal Canine Low Fat Gastrointestinal, and although I was leery of it, he is doing fine (no vomiting or diarrhea since before Christmas 2013!!), so I am hesitant to change anything.
He is still on a low dose of prednisone, 1.25mg twice a week, but monthly albumin checks have been great so I hope he will be weaned completely off soon.
Good luck!!!
When he continued to have some diarrhea/vomiting and then I saw labored breathing, which then my vet found the accumulated fluid, I took him to an emergency vet (the day before Thanksgiving 2013). Another an u/s showed nothing remarkable, so he had an endoscopy done. The vet was suspecting IBD, lymphangiectasia or tumors/cancer. Biopsies taken showed he has lymphangiectasia. He was sent home on cerenia for vomiting, flagyl for diarrhea, prednisone for inflamed intestines, sub-q antibiotics and vitamin B12 shots. I was told to eliminate fat from his diet and feed a high quality protein. Thankfully, he has been doing really well. I was all set to cook for him, but the vet recommended Royal Canine Low Fat Gastrointestinal, and although I was leery of it, he is doing fine (no vomiting or diarrhea since before Christmas 2013!!), so I am hesitant to change anything.
He is still on a low dose of prednisone, 1.25mg twice a week, but monthly albumin checks have been great so I hope he will be weaned completely off soon.
Good luck!!!
