For a friend in need

I got this from a friend and Iam not sure what else I can suggest to her other then what I already had suggested. There was an infection when she got her "Suzie is not much better Im afraid. Doctor now has her on Prednisone. DANG. He says this may not be reversible, and if that is so, she won't make it. It seems that her intestines have thickened from having the runns for so long and so her body cant absorbe anything from her ;food. She has gotten rag skinny and eats like a Rottwiler."

Any help would be appreciated
rennie

Check with your vet and see if can set you up with a visit with a specialist at the closest veterinary school. Often they have more insight into serious situations and can possibly be of help.
Good Luck :)
Labmomma X 2

I'd love to be of any help but it's hard when I don't know much about the dog & the history.
What type of infection?
How long has the dog had this illness?
What meds have been used in the past? Pred is a steroid not an antibiotic, and while it may help with other problems the dog is having it will not help with the actual infection.
Has she seen any specialists? Or even a second opinion?
Has the dog had any tests done, like fecals & blood work?
What type of food is the dog eating? How often & how much?


I wish your friend the best of luck.

I know and that is what I have been trying to get more info on it so that I can get whatever help they are in need of.When I do get that I will be happies all I got was what I posted...

rennie

It sounds like this dog has IBD or irritable bowel disease. Thickened intestinal walls, chronic diarrhea. weight loss, inability to absorb nutrients. Did the vet initially diagnose IBD, if not, what did the vet say the chronic diarrhea was caused by? When dogs are put on a raw food, grain free , corn-free diet, the symptoms of IBD decrease and the inflamed intestinal walls should start to decrease in thickness. Corn is in alot of pet foods. Peppermint, alfalfa, slippery elm powder , digestive enzymes, increased protein, increased fibre such as psyllium , anti inflammatories can help. Even if the dog does not have IBD, the symptoms are the same so if you read up on IBD some of the things listed to give for IBD may also help .

http://www.gcvs.com/internists/ibd.htm

http://www.insecthobbyist.com/articles/IBDChat.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article....articleid=3418

http://shafferah.com/ibd.htm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IBDogs/