scott0031
New User
Hi everyone, I'm new here so I hope I have posted this in the right section.
I have noticed a lot of the Dogs mentioned here are pedigrees, so I hope you don't mind if I try to get some help for my first cross, A lab collie cross.
My doggy, Sam Now about 14 has been pretty ill this last week. There is a lot of history behind this. I am much appreciative of anyone that takes the time reading this as I am in need of some help. I'm Trying to keep this short but it will be impossible and a long story. I hope there might be something for others to learn in this post to. Its been a long road with Sam and a massive learning curve.
Back in October 2006 after a regular vet's visit, Sam was put on metacam to help with very mild signs of old age. The next day after one dose he had collapsed from being very healthy, active and bouncy the day before. He had lost all use of his back legs and bodily functions. He was taken back to the vet and treated again, for what the vet now thought was a very serious arthritic condition that appeared overnight. He was put on PLT (prendo leucotropin) A drug that has an anti inflammatory (steroid and a pain killer) Soon as I had some breathing space I did some research on this metacam only to learn some of the horrific stories that had been a consequence of using this drug. The vet naturally denied all knowledge of any such stories. Im not saying metacam was the cause of this rapid deterioration, but the day before I had a fit healthy dog and thats all I can say. So I learnt to research anything I put into my dog from this point on.
I thought this was the end for my dog, but with a lot of research there seemed to be a way forward. The dog was still very happy alert and raring to go all through this, so I had to give a shot of trying to rehabilitate Sam. I did and it took 3 months but it was worth it as he enjoyed an extra 2.5 years to his life of good quality considering all things. A few months after getting him back on his feet he had to be put under for an op and we had him x-rayed and this condition was confirmed as 'Spondylosis' An arthritic condition that effects the spine with extra bone growth and partially fuses the spine. Knowing what it was helped in how to look after him even better for the future which I did with great success, with the help of this PLT (prendo leucotropin) I also put him on Flexi -joints Glucosamine, which also seemed to help him.
In Sept 2008 Sam developed a bad anal gland infection, Which I freely admit wasn't treated as fast as it should have been. He was treated and a course of anti biotics sorted it out rapidly. At this point he developed runny poo's, This again was treated by the vet with the animal version of kaolin called kaogel suspension (bleeding 11 quid for 50 ml!) He was also wormed with no effect at all. We changed his diet to boiled chicken and white rice. Two courses of anti biotics later and some small result was seen the best we can manage was getting his poo to like clay type texture, but I put this down the chick/rice diet more than anything. His poo's alternated from that time Sep 2008 to early July 2009 from this clay texture to runny, he is still on chick/ rice diet. The vet was at a bit of a loss. When the dog ate it sounded like something attacking him from inside, his stomach would go wild, gurgling, squelching very loudly his stomach was going ballistic when food went down. And still does to this day.
On the 13 July this year I upped Sam's PLT dose, as I had a bit of poetic license to alter the dose depending on his condition. We had tried him on another drug 3 week before this (prednisolone) which as I understand is the steroid part of the PLT. It wasn't working and he went down hill a bit. So he went back on the PLT with an upped dose to kick-start him again. After about 3 days I noticed his poo got a bit darker, not unusual to have a variation as he has this stomach condition.
This got worse and worse with the poo going like black tar over the following days. He then vomited a small amount of something similar to his poo. I called the vets immediately and he was taken off the PLT totally, as this dark poo was in fact blood! Alarm bells! I was told to leave him off the PLT until the darkness had gone then start him back on a small dose.
In the following days the Dog went down and down, not eating and drinking at all. Not being ale to move with very bad diarrhoea, he was still bright in himself but not at all well. It was so bad by Wednesday arrangements had been made for him to be put to sleep on Thursday, as it was the kindest thing. Did some more research on the PLT and found things about it I had not found before. Like it can cause a perforated stomach, stomach ulcers and that you can use animal version of zantac (For humans) called Zitac to counter the effects of taking this PLT on a long-term basis. Why the hell didn't the vet tell me this some 2.5 years ago? I phoned the vets to ask for something to make him more conformable for the night until Thursday. I mentioned about this Zitac, later collected the items, which included some high protein hills food to pep him up a bit, some more of the pets version of Kaolin. (11 bleeding quid again!) Funny enough some Zitac, with the instruction this is to counter the effect of the PLT! Of all the things! You gotta laugh! Why the hell hadn't they said this on Monday so I could pick some up! Why was it for me to research what a vet is trained to know!
Wed night I dosed the dog up with the vet's supplies and low and behold by that evening his diarrhoea had started to go much lighter! Hmmmmmmmm the Dog perked up a lot and actually ate something. I had been feeding him water via a syringe, but the dog started to drink by himself.
Thurs morn the dog was a hell of a lot brighter his poos had turned to a light sand colour still runny but improving. So we decided to give him another day. By Thurs evening he is brighter still drinking and asking for food again. After him having a small feed (chick/rice) and his medication we decided to give him a small dose of the PLT knowing he now has the Zitac in his stomach lining and protecting it. 2 hours later he is doing his utmost to get at every bit of food he can find and getting up to try and get it.
This has continued today Friday, and we now have a poo back to a clay consistency too! He is now holding his poo until he is taken outside. It's still very early days but its progress. Above all else he is still bright and very perky.
My real question amongst this story is trying to find a solution to this digestive problem he has had since last Sept 2008. The vet I feel is at a loss with it. I'm at a loss with it. I'm no medical expert, the best I can do is go research but it's a minefield out there and I'm at a loss. If I can at least resolve this problem it's half the battle won.
There must be someone out there that has had similar digestive problems with a Dog and can help guide and advise me what to do other than put him down, which is still a very realistic option at this stage. His poo again this evening is still ok, but his stomach still goes frantic when he eats. I expect it to revert back to the same its been for the last 10 months. Even if its directing me to a site with better help for this sort of condition would be most gratefully appreciated.
Also I have read some posts here where people are using the human Kaolin for their pets. Is this safe to do and can I do it with my dog in this condition? Having no work this year, the vets bills are getting very hard to meet now.
If anyone can offer any advice at all, it will be very gratefully received indeed. Please excuse any typos it's taken me hours to compile this and I'm now very tired looking after the dog for 24 hours each day since Monday. I thank you all again in advance for any guidance.
My kind regards to you all.
Scott
I have noticed a lot of the Dogs mentioned here are pedigrees, so I hope you don't mind if I try to get some help for my first cross, A lab collie cross.
My doggy, Sam Now about 14 has been pretty ill this last week. There is a lot of history behind this. I am much appreciative of anyone that takes the time reading this as I am in need of some help. I'm Trying to keep this short but it will be impossible and a long story. I hope there might be something for others to learn in this post to. Its been a long road with Sam and a massive learning curve.
Back in October 2006 after a regular vet's visit, Sam was put on metacam to help with very mild signs of old age. The next day after one dose he had collapsed from being very healthy, active and bouncy the day before. He had lost all use of his back legs and bodily functions. He was taken back to the vet and treated again, for what the vet now thought was a very serious arthritic condition that appeared overnight. He was put on PLT (prendo leucotropin) A drug that has an anti inflammatory (steroid and a pain killer) Soon as I had some breathing space I did some research on this metacam only to learn some of the horrific stories that had been a consequence of using this drug. The vet naturally denied all knowledge of any such stories. Im not saying metacam was the cause of this rapid deterioration, but the day before I had a fit healthy dog and thats all I can say. So I learnt to research anything I put into my dog from this point on.
I thought this was the end for my dog, but with a lot of research there seemed to be a way forward. The dog was still very happy alert and raring to go all through this, so I had to give a shot of trying to rehabilitate Sam. I did and it took 3 months but it was worth it as he enjoyed an extra 2.5 years to his life of good quality considering all things. A few months after getting him back on his feet he had to be put under for an op and we had him x-rayed and this condition was confirmed as 'Spondylosis' An arthritic condition that effects the spine with extra bone growth and partially fuses the spine. Knowing what it was helped in how to look after him even better for the future which I did with great success, with the help of this PLT (prendo leucotropin) I also put him on Flexi -joints Glucosamine, which also seemed to help him.
In Sept 2008 Sam developed a bad anal gland infection, Which I freely admit wasn't treated as fast as it should have been. He was treated and a course of anti biotics sorted it out rapidly. At this point he developed runny poo's, This again was treated by the vet with the animal version of kaolin called kaogel suspension (bleeding 11 quid for 50 ml!) He was also wormed with no effect at all. We changed his diet to boiled chicken and white rice. Two courses of anti biotics later and some small result was seen the best we can manage was getting his poo to like clay type texture, but I put this down the chick/rice diet more than anything. His poo's alternated from that time Sep 2008 to early July 2009 from this clay texture to runny, he is still on chick/ rice diet. The vet was at a bit of a loss. When the dog ate it sounded like something attacking him from inside, his stomach would go wild, gurgling, squelching very loudly his stomach was going ballistic when food went down. And still does to this day.
On the 13 July this year I upped Sam's PLT dose, as I had a bit of poetic license to alter the dose depending on his condition. We had tried him on another drug 3 week before this (prednisolone) which as I understand is the steroid part of the PLT. It wasn't working and he went down hill a bit. So he went back on the PLT with an upped dose to kick-start him again. After about 3 days I noticed his poo got a bit darker, not unusual to have a variation as he has this stomach condition.
This got worse and worse with the poo going like black tar over the following days. He then vomited a small amount of something similar to his poo. I called the vets immediately and he was taken off the PLT totally, as this dark poo was in fact blood! Alarm bells! I was told to leave him off the PLT until the darkness had gone then start him back on a small dose.
In the following days the Dog went down and down, not eating and drinking at all. Not being ale to move with very bad diarrhoea, he was still bright in himself but not at all well. It was so bad by Wednesday arrangements had been made for him to be put to sleep on Thursday, as it was the kindest thing. Did some more research on the PLT and found things about it I had not found before. Like it can cause a perforated stomach, stomach ulcers and that you can use animal version of zantac (For humans) called Zitac to counter the effects of taking this PLT on a long-term basis. Why the hell didn't the vet tell me this some 2.5 years ago? I phoned the vets to ask for something to make him more conformable for the night until Thursday. I mentioned about this Zitac, later collected the items, which included some high protein hills food to pep him up a bit, some more of the pets version of Kaolin. (11 bleeding quid again!) Funny enough some Zitac, with the instruction this is to counter the effect of the PLT! Of all the things! You gotta laugh! Why the hell hadn't they said this on Monday so I could pick some up! Why was it for me to research what a vet is trained to know!
Wed night I dosed the dog up with the vet's supplies and low and behold by that evening his diarrhoea had started to go much lighter! Hmmmmmmmm the Dog perked up a lot and actually ate something. I had been feeding him water via a syringe, but the dog started to drink by himself.
Thurs morn the dog was a hell of a lot brighter his poos had turned to a light sand colour still runny but improving. So we decided to give him another day. By Thurs evening he is brighter still drinking and asking for food again. After him having a small feed (chick/rice) and his medication we decided to give him a small dose of the PLT knowing he now has the Zitac in his stomach lining and protecting it. 2 hours later he is doing his utmost to get at every bit of food he can find and getting up to try and get it.
This has continued today Friday, and we now have a poo back to a clay consistency too! He is now holding his poo until he is taken outside. It's still very early days but its progress. Above all else he is still bright and very perky.
My real question amongst this story is trying to find a solution to this digestive problem he has had since last Sept 2008. The vet I feel is at a loss with it. I'm at a loss with it. I'm no medical expert, the best I can do is go research but it's a minefield out there and I'm at a loss. If I can at least resolve this problem it's half the battle won.
There must be someone out there that has had similar digestive problems with a Dog and can help guide and advise me what to do other than put him down, which is still a very realistic option at this stage. His poo again this evening is still ok, but his stomach still goes frantic when he eats. I expect it to revert back to the same its been for the last 10 months. Even if its directing me to a site with better help for this sort of condition would be most gratefully appreciated.
Also I have read some posts here where people are using the human Kaolin for their pets. Is this safe to do and can I do it with my dog in this condition? Having no work this year, the vets bills are getting very hard to meet now.
If anyone can offer any advice at all, it will be very gratefully received indeed. Please excuse any typos it's taken me hours to compile this and I'm now very tired looking after the dog for 24 hours each day since Monday. I thank you all again in advance for any guidance.
My kind regards to you all.
Scott
