ANOTHER DOOD WITH IBS?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm worried that paranoia may be setting in, so I came here so you could all "set me straight".  I really am beginning to think that Murph may be following in his brother's IBS "footsteps".  This morning the poor guy had explosive diarrhea that was so bad that he was going all the way down the stairs as he was trying to get to the front door to go out.  It was horrible to watch him (and even more horrible to clean up off the new carpet).  He was visibly upset...he's a very clean dog, so this would not be anything he'd ever do if he could possibly help it.  This is the third episode in the past two weeks.  I took a stool sample into the Vet on Friday...no results yet.  It acts very much like Guinness's episodes except for what triggers it.  With Guinness it's all about what he puts into his mouth.  Any little foreign substance (like a twig or even a tiny piece of a stuffed toy) will trigger an attack.  I think what I'm figuring out with Murph is that excitement or stress may be the cause.  When it happened two weeks ago. it was the morning after going to Daycare.  This week it was Tuesday morning (after being groomed on Monday).  This morning it was after spending last evening at my daughter's with kids and lots of excitement and commotion.  I've been reading online info this morning on IBS with dogs, and there's just so much speculation.  Clearly there is a fairly popular view that stress in dogs will trigger episodes if the dog is predisposed.  I will talk to the Vet tomorrow when I call to get the results of the stool sample, but I'm not going to put him through lots of testing (at least that's how I feel right now).  Murphy is definitely a very sensitive guy who seems to be happiest when he's "glued to Mom".  He doesn't like it when I sing (or God forbid dance).  He doesn't like it when things in the house are moved or out of place.  He would be happiest if every day was exactly the same.  Guinness loves new places and especially new people....but certainly not Murphy.  So, I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experience on this.  Here's what I'm wondering about in particular..

-Has anyone seen cases of stress related IBS in dogs?

-I'm assuming that diet is irrelevant if the episodes are related to stress....right?  (Because I wasn't sure I did put Murph on chicken and rice only today).

-If stress is triggering these "attacks", the logical solution would be to eliminate situations which could cause Murph stress.  That worries me a little, because if we do that he'll never overcome these "fears" that are somewhat "irrational" (at least by my human definition).  Does that actually hurt him because we're never actually "getting at the source".

Lots of questions today.  I'm so hoping that we don't have another IBS dog.  It's very tough on them to go through these attacks, and they really seem to feel pretty "yucky" for a couple of days after.  Murph has just wanted to sleep since this morning...poor baby.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

First, I'm sorry that Murphy is having this problem, poor guy. I know how devastated a "clean" dog feels when he has an accident through no fault of his own. And I'm sorry for you having to deal with another carpet clean-up, lol, although i know your only concern is Murph.

Second, I'm aggravated to see yet another doodle with digestive problems, let alone that it happens to be one I love.

This seems to be just too common in these dogs not to have some kind of genetic basis.  

One thought occurs to me...in all three episodes, the stressful event that preceded them also involved Murphy being somewhere other than your home, and there is the possibility that someone at the daycare, groomer's, or even your daughter's home fed him something that triggered this. Although I imagine you've already asked about that.

I also think that attacks of colitis in humans can be triggered by stress, so it makes sense to me that this would be true in dogs, as well. But I don't know.

Wish I could offer more. Hugs to you & the big guy.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Karen.  I'm absolutely positive that he didn't have anything to eat in all three situations.  They know at Daycare and the Groomers that my dogs are not allowed to eat ANYTHING, and everyone at my daughter's knows that the dogs don't get fed anything.  It's funny because the poor grand kids are so obsessed that they freak out if any crumbs fall on the floor and they run to clean them up.  The six year old "searches" the house before we get there to be sure there's nothing they can get into, and she gets up on a chair to put all the chocolate on the top shelf of the cabinet.  I think I may have gone a little overboard in training them about the perils of certain foods for dogs.  LOL

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our Springer suffers from anxiety at being separated from us, but has no explosive diarrhea with it - his is all behavior. Just FYI on his situation. Clancy can have soft stools  but we haven't been able to pin down what the cause might be, whether excitement or something he ingested. Ned on the other hand seems to have no issues at all.  We have been contemplating medication for our Springer but because the severity of his upset is not constant, I hate to give him a continuing medication, however we may resort to that.  If you think Murph's is excitement you might be able to give him something before known exciting occurances???  Even canned pumpkin or yogurt perhaps???? 

Just throwing out ideas - did he have this before he became so ill?  If not then maybe his illness triggered these delayed reactions in some way?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Nancy.  Murph has yogurt every night after his dinner.  Because I have to give it for Guinness, I just have automatically included Murphy.  I'm at a loss here, but maybe the Vet can help me to sort this out tomorrow.  At this point I'm thinking it's psychologically induced.  That's going to be tough.  With Guinness I just had to change his diet, but I suspect it won't be so easy with poor Murphy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am going to hope for a 'bug' for Murphy with a cure.

[shelly]

Oh NO, Jane!  I wish I could tell you that I think you're wrong, but I think you're on to something... this coming from a fellow worry-wart, so I guess I'm not helping you much!  I think that this is what happens to Tori when we take her in the car.  she too gets so stressed that she automatically has to poop.  Lately, KNOCK WOOD she has waited until we're out of the car, but it too is explosive and gets all over her bottom.  I feel bad, and I know what you're saying when you say it bothers Murph to be dirty.   tori gets so embarrassed that she coils her tail under herself, thus including a now dirty tail!  I now give her pumpkin daily with each meal.  I just spread a thin layer over her food.  I don't know if this really helps her, or helps ME more.  But I DO think you are on to something with the stress... just think what stress does to people's stomachs.  I know when I'm stressed it goes straight to MY stomach too.... I am hoping the vet's tests show something more easily cured than that... I will be watching... GOOD LUCK!!!

[Nugget's Family]

I'm so sorry to hear about Murphy's "belly issues".  I can see why you have come to the conclusions that you have about the stress situations.  As you said, once you hear from the vet, you will know more. 

I'm just going to throw something completely different out there for you to consider:  Do you have municipal water?  The reason that I am asking is that we do, and I noticed that our water started tasting very chlorine-y.  I called the "water guy" and he said that they increase the concentration every once and a while due to their lab results.  So, I made a note to get more "faithful" with using our Brita pitchers, but would need to get more filters the next day.  The next morning, (after two doggie dish refills with the chlorine-y water) Nug's stools were runny.  As soon as I got my act in gear and started filtering properly, her stomach seemed to be fine again.  So, I'm not sure there was a connection, but although Nug has her health issues (skin itchies) her stomach is usually very happy and predictable.

My only other thought on your situation is that maybe, if you know Murph will be in a stressful situation, hold back on feeding him before and after the event.  So, if he's going to spend the evening with a bunch of happy, high-energy kids, don't feed him dinner that night.  Just wait to feed him until breakfast the next morning.  This may be really bad advice, but I'm just thinking that if there's no food in his digestive system for the stress to work on, maybe the "runs" won't happen???

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Susan

[Christine & Camus]

If Murphy is having stress-related issues the SentryHC Calming Pheromone Collar may help.  I use it for Camus and it does help.  I would never have believed it if I did not see the benefits for myself.  Not a miracle worker, but it helps.  There is also a spray that can be applied to a blanket, bed, scarf, which may be a better option for occasional use.  It's available at Only Natural Pet:   http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-Phero-Sooth...

Camus also started to have really bad diarrhea with blood, which the vet said was most likely stress related, and wanted me to put him on the prescription ID food -- NOT. I decided to regularly add pumpkin and rice to his kibble and plain non-fat yogurt after each meal.  And, (knock on wood) he is doing really well now.  I hope Murphy feels better soon.