**Super_Dogs** Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I have just recieved an terrible call. An owner of one of my labrador puppies called to let me know the puppy has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She is only 15 weeks old and is not doing well The vet had told her that it could be genetic. I understand there are different types - the owner is going to ask the vet what type it is. Does anyone know much about this? Can it be genetic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozwildflower Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I don't know about IBD in dogs, I actually didn't know they could get it I only knew that there is a disease similar to Crohn's Disease (one of the IBDs) found in horses. My knowledge of IBD in humans is with Crohn's and U. Colitis. It is thought that IBD, though not genetic, has the tendency to run in families. It is also thought that it can be started up by an infection, stress or ??? Actually, the fact is, nobody really knows and I'm being simplistic. I would make sure that the pup hasn't got a food allergy as has one of my standard poodles. I was desperate when he was a pup as I couldn't get him to put on weight, food seemed to go through him and he got terrible stomach aches. Trips to the vet were frequent and we couldn't work out what was wrong with him. After 6 months of worry, I took him off anything with wheat in it, anything with offal and made sure there was no overload of red meat. He is now 8 and is as good as gold as long as I stick to 'his' food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I wouldn't rush into anything. Vets tend to say IBD far too quickly sometimes. Have they changed the puppies food, what are they currently feeding? Have they changed the diet suddenly? I would ask them to stick strictly to the diet you fed them on for 6 weeks and see if he improves. Some puppies just have sensitive tummies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Having had a dog with correctly diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease I can tell you that the only method of getting a correct diagnosis is by Endoscopy(like colonoscopy) done by an Internal Vet medicine specialist. Usually the dog will present with symptons of food intolerances, diarrhoea, constipation, gurgling tummy and often vomitting. A hell of a lof of people, including Vets,don't understand that there is a Huge difference between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They are 2 totally different Health Issues both in dogs and people. I personally have medically diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease myself.It can be hereditary or you may have a predisposition to eat and then you get an inflammed Colon and it result's in IBD-either Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis( that is what I have and for me I cannot take the normal medication for it as I am allergic to Sulphur drugs and the normal medication has a sulphur base). It is "trial and error" with me. I cannot tolerate fried foods, spicy foods, herbs, pre-crumbed foods etc. I think the GP Vet is a wee bit premature in telling the owner the pup has IBD as he/she probably has not even done endoscopes. If the Vet thinks the dog has IBD he/she should be referring the owner and pup on to see an Internal Medicine Specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 If the owner is in a city .. then I suggest they get a consult with a specialist and get a decisive answer ... instead of the see saw of dietary changes etc ... get a proper diagnosis from someone who knows their stuff - and then attack the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozwildflower Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Having had a dog with correctly diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease I can tell you that the only method of getting a correct diagnosis is by Endoscopy(like colonoscopy) done by an Internal Vet medicine specialist. Usually the dog will present with symptons of food intolerances, diarrhoea, constipation, gurgling tummy and often vomitting. A hell of a lof of people, including Vets,don't understand that there is a Huge difference between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They are 2 totally different Health Issues both in dogs and people. I personally have medically diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease myself.It can be hereditary or you may have a predisposition to eat and then you get an inflammed Colon and it result's in IBD-either Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis( that is what I have and for me I cannot take the normal medication for it as I am allergic to Sulphur drugs and the normal medication has a sulphur base). It is "trial and error" with me. I cannot tolerate fried foods, spicy foods, herbs, pre-crumbed foods etc. I think the GP Vet is a wee bit premature in telling the owner the pup has IBD as he/she probably has not even done endoscopes. If the Vet thinks the dog has IBD he/she should be referring the owner and pup on to see an Internal Medicine Specialist. I have also been relating diagnosis and treatment back to myself as I have Crohn's Disease. I can't take the sulphur either but, fortunately, do well with immune suppressants. After the side effects of prednisone I don't want that road again but wonder if these treatments also work on our canine friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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