Sudden Digestive Changes

SheltieAgility

Forums Regular
Wasn't really sure how to title this, but here goes…

Hi, I'm a big lurker on these forums. I am owned by a 10 year old Sheltie, my 1st dog of my adult years. He has always been a bit sensitive to dietary and environmental changes, but nothing major and always seemed to go away in a day or two with a bland diet. In the beginning of Sept, I took him in for a dental and epulis removal, and since it had been 7 months, asked for blood work to be done. That blood work showed elevated bilirubin and GGT. An u/s showed a couple possibilities, but nothing definite (like acute hepatitis). There was no other symptoms and no yellowing to be found. The vet put him on denamarin and actigall and 2 weeks later, blood work was all normal so vet chalked it up to a gall bladder attack. One month after finishing meds, blood work showed protein levels were low, but the week before, he had some loose stool and vomiting. Never more than an episode a day, and never consecutive days. No protein in urine, and a 3 tier fecal was negative. Meanwhile, my guy has been acting normal and very active as usual, resuming obedience and agility since a Jan 2013 surgery for tarsal fusion (ruptured plantar ligament) with no odd symptoms.

I am going to see my vet later this week and just trying to research some ideas/questions to ask. I have noticed he does not do well on rice, hamburger, carrots or pumpkin but does do well on egg (hard boil or scrambled), boiled chicken, yogurt, oatmeal and pasta. I have been feeding a grain free diet-Wellness Core, but since the vomit/diarrhea episode, I have been feeding Purina Low Residue (been on it exactly 2 weeks now). There has been one vomiting incidents each week, and an occasional loose-ish poop, but not diarrhea. I'm afraid to change his food without having a plan. My vet had said to just let him stay on Low Res but he doesn't seem to like it-he will eat it if I mix it well with other stuff (oatmeal, chicken or scrambled eggs usually), but won't touch it alone.

Any similar experiences, suggestions or ideas? Again, I'm not looking change anything without my vet's approval, I am just looking for things to bring up in our appointment. I'm wondering if I am dealing with IBS, or something similar. He is no longer on any medications, and gets Dasuquin w/MSM, Glycoflex and a probiotic as well. He has been around 20.3-20.5lbs since his surgery as per ortho surgeon's recommendation, although our primary vet would like to see him gain a pound.

Thanks in advance!
 
I had the Low Residue food recently when my girl was nursing puppies with diarrhea and couldn't take any meds. She didn't like it either. If you read the ingredients, it must be like eating cardboard. I mixed it with shredded boiled chicken or yogurt, but that's not a long-term solution.

You might consider one of the limited ingredient dogs foods. There are several good ones on the market that are high quality. More manufacturers are making them now.

I would also add a probitoic/digestive enzyme to your dog's food daily. Nature's Farmacy makes an excellent one called Digestive Enhancer that I use for my dogs with good results.

Hope you get some answers on your boy. And welcome to the Forum!
 
Ask about gallbladder mucocele/sludge. Also consider a probiotic. I had Liam on FortiFlora for months and it helped.
 
I do give my dogs probiotics, as stated in my 1st post…looking for ideas as to what new diets to try. The actigall was prescribed for gall bladder sludge and that supposedly has cleared up, vet didn't feel he had to stay on actigall.

A friend recommended Natural Balance with fish and oatmeal, so looking into that as well.
 
I think most dogs become more sensitive as they get older. My current male (7ys) has developed stomach sensitivities with bouts of diarrhea or vomiting. which I put this down to being on NSAIDs. Even though your dog is not on medication now, having had an illness (and I'm assuming he was on meds when he had surgery) it can upset the stomach of an older dog enough for them to develop sensitivities.

I agree with limiting the ingredients in the food. Have a look at the meat you are providing. My male developed a sensitivity to turkey and then chicken and I know a few dogs who have developed chicken sensitivity.

It's also interesting your friend suggested something with oatmeal. I found quality grains are actually good for his stomach and do help it settle - oatmeal is a fave (outside of horse feed). If he is doing okay with fresh oatmeal it maybe worth switching to something that contains it but the meat ingredients and fat levels may be a bigger factor.
 
I know he tolerates and likes oatmeal well-I add it to their food most mornings since I make myself some. We alternate between oatmeal and scrambled eggs. I also know he does fine on boiled chicken and not good on beef. I guess it will be a trial and error thing to see what works. I agree with your theory that sensitivity probably increases with age.

When he had surgery, I was really concerned about the effects his meds would, but he actually tolerated them very well, he was on antibiotics (oral one week, injectable 4 days) and also got metacam for a couple days.

Thanks for the welcome! I have been lurking here since before the surgery-how I stumbled upon this forum in the 1st place. I hope to post more!
 
An update…so, my guy really hates the Low Residue kibble my vet recommended. He won't touch it, and if I hand feed him, he walks away with it and spits it out. She told me to add some canned i/d. I added a teaspoon starting Friday PM and since he has been having diarrhea. I tried for 3 meals and stopped the i/d completely today, poop was more formed tonight, but still very soft. I have him back to just boiled chicken and oatmeal, with prozymes each meal. I also ordered some Floraforte to try.

I'm starting to feel like we are dealing with IBS/IBD. Does anyone here have a dog with that? I will speak with my vet again Tuesday. My dog is still eating, drinking, acting normally. We had a great agility class Fri PM. He tends to only poop twice a day, and that is staying the same, no accidents in the house, no vomit.

Really wish I knew what was going on and how to best help him. Any advice or similar experiences greatly appreciated!!!
 
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