Irritable Bowel Syndrome

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I should probably be posting this on the Medical group page, but I really didn't find much there in my search. I just talked to the vet, and she is diagnosing Guinness with IBS. All of his tests came back negative which leaves IBS as the most probable diagnosis. She said his diet will be critical. She is recommending home cooking for him going forward. She also warned that he should not ingest any "foreign" substances (leaves, twigs, even threads from toys), as this would most likely trigger an episode. She basically said that he is extremely healthy EXCEPT that he has a very sensitive digestive system. So, my next DK stop tonight is on the food group to try to figure out where to begin. I'm just wondering if others have any insight from past experiences.

[Mookie]

Hi Jane - I hope Guinness is feeling better! My heart goes out to you...the constant worrying is exhausting. I just joined DK and saw your post. We have been working with an animal specialty group trying to diagnose Mookie, our 10mo Labradoodle, for several months. IBD/IBS was on the list but Mookie reacts with chronic vomiting and only occasional diarrhea. He seems to be fine for a week or two and then is terribly ill. We are feeding him the prescription food Z/D Ultra. It's really expensive but he likes it and he seems to be doing well. We're hoping it doesn't come to having to cook for him - I don't cook for my MAN...there might be issues with me cooking for my DOG. :) But I'll be very interested to hear how your food experiments work out - keep posting!

Our game plan is to see what the next few weeks bring (we're one week out from a major episode). If he is in crisis, our vet said the next step is exploratory surgery. She really isn't convinced it's IBD/IBS. We considered an ultrasound and an endoscopy but she thinks those tests may still leave us without answers. I'll keep you posted. (I know it sounds like our vet may be surgery/test-happy but she really isn't...we've been going through this frequently for several months and have already crossed a lot of things off the list.)

PS. I read Jacquie's post about Reglan - that was very helpful since our vet had us using it indiscriminately. Truthfully, we don't think it does much good so we stopped.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Hi Jane..I feel your pain....dealing with IBS is a constant battle. There is hope and in my experience the symptoms do decrease with age but there are always setbacks and episodes.....It can be quite frustrating.

IBS can be caused by so many different factors or combination of factors so it's difficult to pin down the exact cause. Basically what happens is that something triggers the small intestine to spasm and it seems that the result is either diarrhea or constipation!....IBS can be triggered by poor digestive motility (peristalsis)..that is the natural "wave" or contraction of muscles in the esophogus and gastrointestinal tract that pushes food through the system. That wave is triggered by the release of hormones (pituitary gland) into the system. If pituitary function is compromised this can be a cause of poor digestive motility and food will linger in the stomach and/or small intestine for too long a time. As it continues to break down, bacteria causes gas to build up throughout the digestive tract. This causes the bloating and gas related pressure and distension in the abdomen.

By the time the digested food matter makes it into the colon either too much water has been leached from the system (causing constipation) or too much water is still present in the food matter and the colon cannot remove enough of it to produce solid stool. (diarrhea)

Now with humans, doctors used to prescribe Reglan and Propulsid to stimulate the wave and "propel" food through the intentinal tract...Propulsid has been taken off the market because it was found to cause heart valve problems and Reglan is on it's way to being taken off the market for the same reason. So as of this time there is no alternative drug therapy for either man or beast!..That leaves all with the task of finding dietary ways to prevent the gas buildup in the GI tract and the leaching of water once the digested food matter makes it into the colon....I will write more for you and provide links and suggestions later this evening as I have to run out and do some rescue related errands ...I just wanted to start by giving you some understanding of a few of the causes of IBS......

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Karen. I sent her a message and I'm hoping she may have a few tips for me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do know that Jacquie's Blake is not having anywhere near as much trouble with the IBS as he used to have, so there is hope! You might send her a message, she is so swamped I don't think she will see this blog; but I'm sure she'll be glad to share what has worked for Blake.

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

Hi Jane, our Guinness had a sensitive stomach when we first got him from the breeder, they had him on Iams' kibbles(not sure if you know that brand in CT). He would go to potty after ever meal and sometimes before bed...I kept thinking this wasn't right but he was fine outside of that. After a month or so he started getting car sick when we would take a trip..so along with his trips to the Vet.. a few times and she suggested percription dog food(of course it cost $$XX-dollars) but it worked until he got older..he is now a year old and we have him on regular kibbles(Nutro Natural Choice)which cost alot less....and of course it all worked out for us..he doesn't eat leaves but,will pickup sticks & threads from toys & stuffings we just have to watch him on that..good luck .

[Karen & Lucy]

OMGoodness, that is awful, only because I can't keep myself on a diet let along a dog that you have to have on a special diet. AND, how on earth are you going to keep him from eating any foreign sub. Good luck to you Jane. And give Guinness a hug from us. Poor little guy. BUT, I too know you will do a good job

[F, Calla & Luca]

Focus on the basically healthy, that's the important thing. I hope the home cooking helps.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Sorry about your let down Jane. Poor Guiness. The good thing is it is controlable and I think you'll do a great job with the diet!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

In the Health and Medical Group is a list of people that have specific knowledge on differenr medical conditions. Two of our members (Jacquie and Abby) have knowledge about IBS or IBD.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

You may want to contact them.