Hill's z/d

 YAHOO!  That's awesome!!!  I really hope you're able to find something that works for her without having to go the biopsy route.  It would give you a more definitive diagnosis, but I'd sure hate to see any dog have to go through that.    It was suggested for Indie (not by his vet, but by someone who was familiar with him) and I thought Pfft! Not if he's doing well on what is working!  I'd keep him on Purina OM for life if I had to!

I'm so happy for you both!  And who doesn't like Ice Cream for breakfast lunch and dinner!  She probably thinks she's being spoiled! 

That's great, Lori. I hope that she continues to do well. She's such a beautiful girl. It stinks to be sick, but she's got a good mommy on her side, keeping her well. She's a lucky dog:)

I just want to say for anyone interested in this z/d food that might be hesitating.  Willow looks THE best I have seen her in the five years I've had her.  She isn't waking up with cloudy goopy eyes, poop is good, her fur is not quite as flakey as it's been due to her severe seborrhea. I'm not saying everyting is cured but definately I can see an improvement in things.  And, most important--she seems happy in a way I haven't seen in awhile.  AND, THIS IS BIG---she's eating well--which she never really did.  Although, I admit right now I'm keeping her a little on the hungry side so she doesn't refuse it. 

That's great news, out of the foods I have tried, I use the HIlls Large Breed Adult, it gives by far the best results out of any food I have used and my dogs find it very palatable, I think people need to keep more of an open mind about food, my dogs did horrible on the premium foods and do great on the Hills do other people have the opposite expereince, sure, but what matters is what works for your individual dog an obviously there are dogs that do better on Hills or Purina, than other foods.

I'm so glad Willow is doing well :)  These Chow kids do love to worry us

I am so glad Willow is doing so well on it, and i am so glad you went with your "gut feeling" or instinct rather than than listen to negatives becaue it is made by hills.  it isn't 'Science Death" for Willow is it, rather more like 'Science life"  I am not partial to it, but it worked for my dogs when needed and i will never put it down!

That's fantastic, Lori! I'm so glad to hear that she's doing well. 

Thank you guys.  I just had a little phone chat with the vet to give her an update.  I want to stay on this situation this time.  I get her treated every time she has these IBS/colitis, whatever they want to call it flare ups.  Then she's OK for awhile and then we eventually get back to square one. 

So, that's what the call to the vet was about.  What can be done long term???

So, she's done with the Metro.  And, now for awhile, about 2-months she's going to get Tylan 2x's a day.  It's a antibiotic too, but mild and it treats all sorts of things including chronic diarrhea.  But, also, like the Metro it is very soothing to the system--anti inflammatory. It may even help her skin too.  It comes in different forms, Willow is getting a liquid. 

In addition, we are continuing on as much z/d canned as possible.  She is aware that in order for her to eat anything we have to doctor it up (add meat or bland homecooked diet) But, fortunately, we are lucky in that we know for sure some things don't bother Willow.  So, we aren't really doing any type of elimination diet.  And, she can continue her supplements too as they don't effect her.

She also said, reduce stress.  Willow is very anxious, always has been---she has no real reason to be.  We have always done our best with that. 

She can still walk/hike whatever exercise we want--it's actually very good. 

So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will stablize and hopefully resolve this situation once and for all.  It's been five years of back and forth to the vet, changing food, doing OK then not. . .she's had enough.  She had done really well for a long time on i/d too.  But, then they changed the formula and they added more egg--which she can stand only in small amounts. 

Well, thanks for reading about this.  I thought maybe this might help others too since so many dogs have similar issues. 

Well, that certainly is positive news.  I really don't think that z/d is such a bad  prescription food.  What's nice is that it is hydrolyzed protein, so it should not give Willow any trouble.

A comment on Tylan--- a while back, my guy (IBD and stable), developed some serious tear staining after a course of Simplecef--he also had some minor G-I upset while on it, as well.  Well, I could not get a handle on the staining with just upping his probiotics, so after speaking with my vet about using the supplement Angel's Eyes (a form of tylan) for this, we decided to give it a go.  Well, after ten days the staining had ceased, but a side benefit from this was some improvement in his G-I tract.  He no longer has the gurgly stomach noises, and he seems to be able to tolerate certain foods that he has had problems with in the past; chicken and lamb.  He still cannot eat grains of any sort and has problems with many carbs.  I'm hoping you will see some improvement for Willow, as well, with the Tylan.

Right now the only supplements I give are a daily dose of probiotics with FOS, salmon oil/vit E and l-glutamine (keeps his G-I tract strong and healthy).  He's been doing well for nearly four years, now, and continues to improve.

Again, good luck. Willow's lucky to have you as a doggy mom.

  That's great; I'm glad Willow is doing so well and I hope the regimen you have her on keeps her from having more flare ups. It's interesting that stress causes Willow to have flare ups; Jessie is also anxious ( probably because she's part GSD), and her allergies flare up when she gets excited, such as just before mealtime or when we're getting ready to go on an outing. Regarding Hill's; we have a Himalayan that does better on their Senstitive Skin cat formula then any other food we've tried, and we've tried many of the holistic brands as well as Nutro.

Emma is anxious, too, and will anxious herself right into bloody diahrrea, if I don't watch her.  That's a big part of what's had me worried about this trip, but she's done great. I think a big part of her anxiety is SA based. Managing the stress (and using calming agents) has made a big difference in both her tummy and her epilepsy. Is there something you can use for Willow (anything from Rescue Remedy to Valerian on up to Clomicalm or even Valium on bad, bad days---Em gets Valium when she needs it) to help her not be so anxious? I know you probably don't want to start anything new at the moment, but it might be something to consider in the future, if she continues to have anxiety induced tummy troubles.

 Tylan is excellent stuff.  It falls into the class of gut-active antibiotics that can reduce the "bad" bugs and give probiotics a chance to multiply.  I hope it works out well for you and Willow!

I am so beyond thrilled to hear such positive things about the Tylan.  I couldn't find all that much info about it online. 

Are you guys talking about Hill's Z/D Ultra? My Dermatologist Vet has recommended  it to me, either this or the Royal Canine Rabbit and Potato Formula. I'm not sure which one to pick for my allergic baby.

Yes, it is the Ultra z/d. I'd say if your dog is at all fussy about what he/she eats to try it. 

Sunday UPDATE--It's not working for the poop situation.  I don't know if it's because it's canned or if it's just that it's chicken and liver and even though it's not supposed to it's causing a reaction.  The thing that's really too bad is her skin looks really good on it.