Dog Community

colitis

Posted : 12/5/2009 6:43:52 PM

My dog periodically comes down with colitis. She is on antibiotics for 2 weeks and then is ok for one month and then the cycle begins again. Her stool gets soft and I bring a sample in and the Vet says she is overrun with chlostridia. Her stool has now been softer for a month and I decided not to bring in a sample and just see what happens. So far, it has just remained that way. I know if I brought a sample in the Vet would put her on antibiotics and nothing much would change. Should I be going to the Vet with a sample every 6 weeks? I know eventually she will come down with the colitis, but by not going I am prolonging the time between antibiotics. Am I hurting her by just seeing if she can overcome the increase in chlostridia on her own? My last dog was an IBD dog and I don't want to go through that again.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 12/5/2009 8:10:51 PM

Is there a culture and sensitivity for poop? When my dog had chronic UTIs, they did a culture and sensitivity (to the tune of $90). They sent a "sterile" (drawn with a needle) sample to the lab, and the lab grew the bacteria, and tested different antibiotics on it. One, $6 bottle of antibiotics, and she didn't have another UTI for almost 2 years. I know they do something similar for ears, so why not poop?

Also, have you ever given your dog probiotics? Constantly being on antibiotics kills off the good bacteria in the gut, and that can give the bad bacteria more ability to flourish.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/6/2009 1:39:56 AM

Honestly, Loretta you might want to try TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) -- there are herbs that can truly help SO much rather than always having to put them on Flagyl.

Given the fact that it's cyclical it could be a LOT of things -- it could be a particular bacteria she gets into over and over or it could simply be a body cycle thing -- look at a calendar -- is there some "thing" that occurs just prior? the city spraying for bugs? a yard treatment (maybe a neighbor and you get the overspray?) a typical in home change -- like a scheduling change or family "change" that happens?

Stress can surely cause gut bacteria just as sure as drinking from a puddle.

But I can't tell you I have seen some of those Chinese herbs absolutely rock -- and acupuncture truly can help SO much with colitis (being prone to it myself).

Have you tried a probiotic? I've used Digestive Advantage both on me and the dogs (and they have one for irritable bowel that is really good).

loretta

Posted : 12/6/2009 7:44:46 AM

So Callie, do I give her a regular adult dose of the Digestive Advantage? And would I use the colitis formula or the irritable bowel one? My Vet never comes up with any of these ideas.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/6/2009 11:46:46 AM

Don't think they *have* a collitis formula (if so my store doesn't carry it). Collitis and IB are almost interchangeable terms. Collitis just carries with it the idea that sometimes there is constipation as the flip side (at leat that's MY understanding and *sigh* experience).

I was giving Kee a whole cap -- and one a day should be plenty. (which is the low end of their human dose spectrum)