Our Long Road To An IBD Diagnosis

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I decided to add this discussion in hopes of helping others who experience what we've gone through over the past 18 months with Murphy.  I'm not sure that it's always possible to shorten the process of getting to a diagnosis and appropriate treatment, but at least maybe those of us here on DK who have been through the process can help to provide information that might be helpful.  Murphy's problems started with the typical "runny stools".  We started our endless attempts to find a food that his GI system could handle.  I moved him to home cooking which worked for several months, and then the runny stools returned.  We tried Honest Kitchen with added protein and that worked well for awhile...and then it all started again.  With each "episode" he seemed to have more symptoms.  He started vomiting bile, especially in the morning.  Then he seemed to show signs of nausea which progressively got worse to the point where he was lethargic most of the time.  At this point my Vet convinced me that we needed to put him on Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Soy.  I had resisted this for months because the ingredients are horrible, but at this point I was desperate and I agreed to try it.  It helped the diarrhea immediately but over time the nausea came back and he refused to eat it.  After skipping several meals and vomiting, he was hospitalized.  He was treated with metronidazole and anti-nausea meds but the only way they could get him to eat was for me to cook chicken and rice and bring it to the hospital.   He was able to keep that down, so they released him on the meds and the plan was to do more testing and to continue with the chicken and rice just so that he would eat.  At that point we did the GI panel, which is different that the full blood panel that vets usually do and we also did the ACTH Stim test to check for atypical addisons.  The ACTH stim result was normal.  The GI panel checked his pancreatic function and also his Folate and Cobalamin (B12) levels.  The Folate/Cobalamin results were both borderline....inside the normal range but barely.  The next step in the diagnostic protocol was to do an ultrasound of the GI track.  These results raised more questions than answers.   There were no masses or obvious thickening but his lymph nodes were enlarged.  The next step was to see an Internal Medicine Specialist for a consultation and endoscopy/biopsy.  Because of the concern with the lymph nodes we also needed to have another specialist to aspirate and biopsy the nodes.  They were looking for either GI cancer or IBD at this point.  As it turned out the nodes were back to normal size the day of the procedure which made the aspiration unnecessary.

The endoscopy was done on Monday, although it seems like a lifetime ago.  Murph does not have cancer with is such a huge relief.  He does have IBD along with a helicobacter infection and because of some of the damage already done, he has a nutrition absorption concern.   This poor guy must have been feeling horrible for a very long time based on the condition of his GI track.  He's on lots of meds at this point:  Tylan, Prednisone, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Mirtazapine (appetite stimulant so he'll eat the Royal Canin HP food), Prilosec, and Cerenia (as needed for nausea).  He's also having weekly B12 shots. We're now in a "wait and see" place.  We are working with both our regular Vet and the IMS, and the key will be how well he responds to the medication.  I worry so much about him and his quality of life, but I'm going to try to stay positive and believe that he will go into remission.  The IMS really believes that is a possibility.  We're lucky in many ways.  I have a fabulous Vet who brought me to this IMS who I already have great confidence in.  She is very knowledgeable and progressive and is doing lots of "cutting edge" things including stem cell therapy for IBD and certain forms of arthritis. They will work together to manage Murphy's case.   I'm thankful that I've had Karen (and Jack Doodle) who have already been through this to help me to know the "right" questions to ask and to be such a great support.  I can't imagine how stressful this would have been if we didn't have insurance...you can only imagine what all of this is costing.  And of course I'm thankful for all the support from DK friends.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Wow, you and Murph have been through so much! Well, the good thing is they finally have a diagnosis. I know you'll do everything you can to help the guy. He could not possibly have a better mom. Hugs to both of you.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Wow!  Kooper has been going through the same things.  I will tell her to read your post.  It is hard with these guys when they get sick.  Luckily my boys are doing fine right now.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Jarka, thanks so much.   I was thinking the same thing about you when I saw that you finally got to move back to your bed after sleeping by Monty's side all these weeks. 

[Judith and Addie]

Jane, I am so sorry that Murphy has been feeling ill for so long, and so glad that he seems on the road to being better. It is wonderful that you have found a good vet and IMS. Lots of hugs to you and Murphy.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Judith, thank you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Murphy would not have made it this far if he wasn't yours.  What a lucky boy. I am so sorry he seems to be plagued with difficulties.  I hope his treatment is successful for remission.  Thanks for sharing here.  It will be such a help to others with dogs having similar symptoms.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks for your kind words, Nancy!