A Diagnosis of Sorts and A Lot More Questions

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle's biopsy report came back yesterday; we now have a name for what this is, but no clear answer as to what caused it or what to do about it. His treatment plan is going to involve a collaboration between his internist, his allergist, and his regular vet, and apparently we may be getting the UC-Davis veterinary nutrition department involved, too. This being the weekend before Christmas, things are still on hold until his regular vet and I can talk to his allergist. The internist left town for the holidays yesterday. I would not have posted an update yet, but so many of you have asked about him, I wanted to up-date you.

JD has severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease, specifically the following conditions:

1. Lymphoplasmacytic Enteritis

2. Eosinophilic Enteritis

3. Chronic Hypertrophic Pyloric Gastropathy

How these conditions relate to each other, how he developed them and why, we don't know yet. There can be many causes, and sometimes there's no way of knowing which it is. There does appear to be an immune-mediated/allergic component.

Treatment will involve dietary changes and medications including some kind of immunosuppressant.

:(((

Some of the drugs being discussed are very heavy-duty drugs, with some very serious side-effects, and will probably cancel out his current immunotherapy treatment for his Atopic Dermatitis. Have to talk to his allergist to find out. And you can be sure I am going to do an awful lot of research before taking that route.

He also has developed a B12 deficiency, probably because of all the inflammatory/digestive issues, and will require B12 shots every week for a few months. That's the easiest and clearest part.

I am still a little bit shell-shocked and trying to sort all of this out and wrap my brain around the fact that my poor guy has to deal with yet another chronic illness, more meds, more lifestyle restrictions, etc. But so many of you have asked about him, I wanted to let you know what's going on.

And thank you all again for your caring and concern. He may be sick, but beyond a doubt, he has a lot of wonderful people who love him and and are rooting for him, and that has to count in his favor.

Hugs to you all.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh, the weight gain is a great sign! I hope the Addictions food really helps! Can't wait for more good news!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Karen, it is wonderful news that he has gained that weight back, this can only be good. I have my fingers crossed on the prednisone dosage drop, I just know he will do well with that.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Lisa, I hope so!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Good news!  Let's hope for remission as a word for Jack's situation; keeping food moving through his body in the proper way; and  more weight gain.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Nancy. From your mouth to His ear.

[Lorraine Bromley]

OH this must hurt you so much! I cannot put myself in your shoes and wish that you were not going through this. Poor guy!

[Ashley, Ronnie and Ruby]

I grew up with a dog that had tummy problems and eventually had the diagnosis of IBD. It was a hard battle with lots of meds and vet trips. I will let you know that there are times when the right meds work and you get your healthy dog back. There are also rough times. I understand the way this diagnosis takes over your life. I remember watching what she ate and watching the consistency of her bowl movements. Making constant changes to her meds/foods that I felt like a vet myself. These are the things you do for your family. You are both in my prayers.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ronnie, thank you. So few people understand this disease. I myself had no idea what it was or how serious it could be. I was using the terms IBD and IBS interchangably, and thinking of it as just a loose poop issue.

The hardest part seems to be finding a specialist with a lot of experience with this disease, who can coordinate a meds/diet plan that makes sense to me, and finding an appropriate diet. Things don't seem right and you wonder, is it the food? Is it the meds? Does he need more of this, less of that? Fiber, fat, protein, a different form of food? And then you're afraid to change anything for fear it might make things worse. Short of doing another scope, there is no way to tell what's going on in there, is that pyloric sphinter closing up again? Is the inflammation getting worse or better?  Even a burp makes you nervous.

Okay, rambling. But it feels good to know that someone understands.