Can Anyone Help

[countrysheltie]

first time poster hoping someone has any experience with strange illness. I have been contacted by the owner of 2 yr old desexed female sheltie. who had been ill on and off for about 8wks. Syptoms are vomiting about 4hours after eating occasionally black vomit.

stetyching of back and rear legs occasional flinching and gurgling stomach. Worrying bit these symptoms only happen for a few days and them bitch goes through a good period of a week or longer and then its all repeated again.Poos are good no constipation or straining.

Vet thought it was pancreitis but no, has blood tested all negative then thought ulcers has perscribed mylanta and special diet, Still happens each time dog goes to vets gets painkiller overnight obsevationetc and no change. Owner is upset, each visit costing hundreds for tests loves dog not amoney issue but doesnt like to see it suffering feels vet is just guessing. Can any one help with

possible causes.

[Owned by Shelties]

Hi,

Sorry can't offer any advice but try posting this in the Sheltie & Collie thread under Breed Subforums as there is lots of sheltie people who may be able to offer some advice.

I hope you get the problem sorted soon. Poor baby..

[stormie]

I'd recommend a referral to a specialist. They can do scopes, ultrasounds etc and get a much better idea of what's going on inside.

Hope she is ok :p

[countrysheltie]

Hi,

Sorry can't offer any advice but try posting this in the Sheltie & Collie thread under Breed Subforums as there is lots of sheltie people who may be able to offer some advice.

I hope you get the problem sorted soon. Poor baby..

Thanks i have also posted this problem on ozshelties so hope i can give owner some help.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Sounds a bit like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, my IG went through many tests and special diets over quite a few months. You could hear his stomach from the next room sometimes. It wasn't constant either.

This was about 8 years ago, I think the final diagnosis was made when he had an endoscopy. Anyhow, he was put on Pred medication and restricted to ONLY eating Hills Ultra ZD. My life was hell for a few years. If he got hold of food he shouldn't (out and about or if people fed him at the off leash park) he could have an attack and end up on a drip for a week.

It has cost me thousands over the years. Every day was a battle, trying to feed him on the Ultra ZD. I searched on the web and found someone who gave their dog sweet potato (my vet said NOTHING except the dried food). I also discovered that you can try giving them other proteins. We also went off the Pred and onto another old fashioned medication and he was much better behaved on that (he used to wake me up throughout the night wanting food and be at me every waking minute for food as well). I had reached the stage where I was going to put him to sleep as I couldn't cope after 4 years of living with him like this but the change of meds worked wonders.

This year I obtained the Ultra ZD in canned form so he has a bit more variety and he also eats sardines and tuna for example.

I'd also recommend trying the All Natural Vet at Russell Lea if you are in NSW.

[InspectorRex]

I agree with Dogmad- I had a Collie with severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease and what you are describing is what Maggie's symptons were like.

Your friend needs to have the dog referred to an internal medicine specialist who will probably do an endoscope and take biopsies.

Our Maggie had complications and we lost her at 7.5 years after trying both conventional and natural vet treatment.