PLEASE HELP - Inflammatory Bowel Disease

[napa]

Hello - My 4 year old shihtzu had exploratory surgery last Monday and was diagnosed with IBD. Four days later he is still vommiting and not eating or drinking. He has a feeding tube in his belly but vomits after we tube feed him water or food.

I took him back to the hospital today and DO NOT UNDERSTAND why the surgeon's/doctors will not start him on medicine to treat the IBD. They are telling me that they wanted his system to rest before starting steriods. HE MIGHT DIE if they keep waiting.

At this point, I am devistated that my little guy is so lethargic and dehydrated.

Anyone with advice..PLEASE WRITE. Thanks!

Laura

[Dixieland Dancer]

Steriods in themselves are very hard on the system and while he is in a major flareup already, perhaps the vet does feel waiting is better. However, if he was my dog, I would get a second opinion, read as much about it as possible and talk to other dog owners who have had the same problem.

I sure do hope he starts feeling better soon.

[napa]

Thanks. I feel very helpless. I returned him to the hospital and am waiting for the doctor/surgeon to call me. There is no way I can remove him to get a 2nd opinion. We just spent $5,000 in medical bills/surgery. At this point, they need to start the steriod treatment. Thanks for listening!

[Gingersmom58]

My dobie had the same thing, and we just about lost him. A friend of mine gave me some immune26 and within 24 hours, he was back home like nothing was ever wrong...my vet could not believe it!

I can get you more info if you would like

Thanks
Debbie

[CathyBogart]

My aunt has a dog with IBD...I don't know much about it, but I could perhaps get her to answer some questions for you... Good luck with your little one. :(

[dragondawg]

IV fluids and bypassing the digestive system entirely?

Did they indicate where the inflammation was found (e.g. large or small intestine)? IBD can be caused by many things, such as food allergies, food malabsorption, Cushings disease, parasites including protozoan infections. Or it may be true IBD where local inflammation causes problems in the intestines.

Presumably they have ruled out pancreatitis, or enzyme deficiency?

If they are not giving IV fluids, I'd be asking WHY! I would ask if they could start the dog on Zofran (potent anti-nausea drug and expensive), and metronidazole (prevents bacterial and protozoan overgrowth, and is a mild anti-inflammatory), along with an acid blocker (high doses of Prednisone will induce ulcers via acid irritation in the stomach), in addition to Prednisone.

If it's true IBD then long term use of acid blockers and metronidazole (or sulfasalazine and tylosin) in addition to a low fat, easily digestible fiber diet (Hills i/d) will help keep things under control. But make sure it's not an enzyme/pancreas problem before covering up the symtoms long term.