Did she always have them or did they start after something/some time? Do antihistamines clear the problem?
Is it IPSID?
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Thank you both - I'll post outcome!
Mike
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We had Rosie's analysis of blood, urine & stools yesterday. Nothing specific except mild anaemia & protein deficiency. The suggestion is inflammation of the large &/or small intestine.
She is now extremely thin & wasting away, having refused to eat much in recent days. She has had a precautionary course of antibiotics pending the outcome of the above tests and this is now not needed. She is having steroids to reduce the inflammation and stimulate her appetite which is starting to happen.
She is physically not strong enough for biopsies which could shed more light on things so it is a matter of trying to get her through, particularly by getting her to eat properly. We remain hopeful though not confident about the outcome…
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Did they do a ultra sound ? It sounds all to familiar with what i had happen he actually had a tear in his intestine and if they had done the ultra sound earlier they would have found it .. i am praying for her recovery but please get ur vet to do an ultra sound ASAP ..
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Thank you, Phoenix, for your suggestion - I will ask our vet about it.
Meanwhile, some progress: she's had her third meal in 2 days (Hills Science Diet!) and is producing normal motions. Also she's less depressed (as are we!).
Mike
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Mike,
so pleased Rosie is eating and feeling better, hope it continues. -
Hi Mike we have been having similar problems with our six year old we found steriods stopped the inflamation but brought with them other problems Bebe is now having zantac to ease her throat diarsanyl to help her stomach i have been back in touch with the homeopathic vet in Norfolk told him the problem and he sent pills bebe has been on them for a week now and does seem a lot better but like you its early days i see you live in Somerset have you thought about asking your vet for a referal to a homeopathic vet i know there is one Taunton Ithink its worth a try you can always ring me on 01803850011
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Even better, this evening she perked up and started being a little like her old self though it would obviously be quite a while before she really turned a corner.
I have to admit, Jules, to have no great reason to believe homeopathic treatment would work but then I'm willing to consider anything that might help.
If in a week or so there has been no sustained improvement I might ask you for further info.
Thank you so much for your suggestion.
Mike
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Hi Mike like you i had no faith in homeopathybut 2years ago while living in Norfolk the steriods had a real bad effect on Bebe everytime she was weaned off them the problem came back twice as bad then we got to the stage of the steriods side affects after being on them for two plus years the vet said we wouldnt have her very long in fact she was dying so in fact i had nothing to lose i saw this homeopathic vet -he used to be a conventional vet he said he could help well i was scepticalbut the pills worked well she had to take them until she was better then stop well it worked for two years until december 2009 then not so good but in fairness to him we are too far to visit so it was done over the phone well we went to our local vet mega problems she said all she can do is try to mask it but it will never be cured so i phoned the h-vet in Norfolk told him what had been going on he said he would blast her =well she has been on his pills for a week and is more like her old self if we can keep her comfortable and she can have a happy life we will be happy
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Mike - this doesn't really sound like IPSID - if it was I think you would have had the same problem before. It is normally inherited and can be brought on by stress which may be why you had considered it. Why not just check with her breeder to see if he has had the problem in his other dogs?
I'm pleased to hear that Rosie is eating again. Osmonds do a digestive product which I've heard has had good results with a Basenji dog I know who had diarrhea and losing a lot of weight.
Please remember to advise your vet that their temperature is 1 degree lower than most dogs and therefore what would be seen as normal could mean an infection. Most vets are unaware of this! -
Thanks, Patty. I was unaware of the temperature difference, too, though Jenny will know of it I'm sure.
I remain determined to try to find answers and will follow up your feeding suggestion too.
Mike
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Jules, I always keep an open mind because without one I'd never have found out about aloe vera.
The questions I have about homeopathy are:
How does it work? I know recent studies have cast doubt on its efficacy.
How can a practitioner identify what issues are present when a vet can't?
How can you tell a good practitioner from a poor one?
I obviously don't - can't - doubt the success you've had but cannot see how Rosie might benefit.
Mike
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Patty, could you please tell me where I can find Osmonds online - I've googled it without luck!
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Cancel that Patty - had another go & found it!
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Mike, www.osmonds.co.uk - sorry I should have included it in my previous post. The product is called Canine Gut-Rite. They also do Digestor but Gut Rite is for digestive problems related to stress. Anything is worth a try. I feel so sorry for you and your little girl - you have not had very good luck with your Basenjis.
Relating to homeopathy recommended by Julie - I use homeopathic products on my dogs and sheep with much success but I know it is a great leap of faith if you haven't tried it. My vet is a homeopath as well as a conventional vet and so combines the two where appropriate. I have had miraculous results. The system is designed to enable the body to heal itself. A veterinary homeopath normally has a five year training on top of the usual veterinary training and should always be a member of the BAHVS. Many people I know have gone down the homeopathic road when all else has failed and have had good outcomes. Recent studies as you say cast doubt on its efficacies but these studies have been done on human beings who could be affected by the 'placebo' effect. Animals can't be fooled!
I can, however understand your scepticism and here is not the place or time to discuss this. The very important thing is to get Rosie on the way to recovery. -
Mike - sorry about previouys post - I missed to read your afternoon post!!!
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Well, Rosie has, thankfully, stabilised with no return of diarrhoea and a reasonable, though not hearty, appetite. Her antibiotics course finished 5 days ago and she has a few more of her steroids course so we wait to see whether she can start to put on condition soon. She is certainly less depressed though not yet her old exhuberant self…
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Very good news that Rosie seems to be on the mend. Thank you for keeping us posted.
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Glad to hear Rosie is feeling a bit better.
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Thank you, both. Progress is very slow - she is still extremely thin. If there is not a gradual improvement in the coming days it will be a cause for concern but I remain optimistic for now.
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Here's an update coupled with a plea for ideas.
Rosie initially made good progress, eating solely Hills Science Diet (small tins). With the help of steroids the diarrhoea went and her appetite improved.
Right now the diarrhoea, mainly a bit soft rather than liquid, is back, sprodically, and her appetite varies.
She seems permanently hungry except regarding what she has been eating for a while, ie she goes off that and we find something else she likes. This has happened with the Hills (she went off it), Winalot tinned, raw mince, cooked mince, chicken, rice and, recently, cat food (after we saw her ravenously Hoovering up small amounts dropped by our cat around her bowl!). One by one she enthuses for a few days & then we have to find something new.
The net result is no increase in weight and our ongoing concern about whether she'll make it.
If anyone has experienced anything similar and found the answer we're desperate - and would be very grateful - to hear about it.
Thanks.
Mike & Jenny
