Mushy poops, diarrhea, straining = Clostridium Perfringens

[NS]

Hi it is me again!!

So Bodi has once again been experiencing mushy poops and diarrhea and some blood. He has been on a limited ingredient diet since September so it isn't his food and we had his stool tested over and over again because I thought he had Giardia again. Finally, after pushing the vet we had two tests run -- one blood panel and one fecal panel - I am not sure exactly what the tests are called but they are sent to a lab and take 3-5 days to get results back and it cost almost $600.

Well, we found out that he does NOT have Giardia but that he has Clostridium Perfringens. We are still waiting to hear the full results so he might have something else going on as well. Many dogs have this bacterium in their system and never have any problems others have flare ups and exhibit symptoms.I think Bodi has had this for quite some time because we have been battling these symptoms on and  off since we have had him (1.5 yrs). I think the Giarida compromised his gut and is now susceptible to these sorts of GI issues.  He is being treated with Tylan for 2 weeks to 6 weeks.  From what I have read he should also be on a high fiber diet.  If anyone else has experienced CP and found some ways to help your pup I would welcome the advice. 

Thanks so much.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm guessing that part of the bloodwork was a GI panel, which tests for folate and cobalamin levels. Did you get those results back yet? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

High fiber diets are important for dogs with GI issues. JD has been getting a fiber supplement added to his meals since his IBD diagnosis, in addition to sweet potatoes.

[NS]

Hi Karen, I have not received the results for that yet. The Vet said that the test came back positive for CP but she said it didn't give her the levels of CP in his gut. 

What do you feed JD? What fiber supplement do you give JD?

I wondered if Bodi had IBD or IBS and the vet said that the results we are waiting on will indicate whether or not that is part of what is going on. She also said in order to fully diagnose IBD or IBS they would have to do an endoscopy to test the tissue and she prefers to do that as a last result. I am sure you remember but we have been struggling with these symptoms basically ever since we have had him and the vet has always said it was food related -- I had to push hard to run these tests because I was convinced there was more going on. I am glad we might be getting somewhere….

As always,thanks for your input. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's important to understand the difference between "IBS" and "IBD". They are not interchangeable and not at all the same thing.

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and it's just another name for a sensitive or nervous stomach. It isn't really a disease, and there is no testing for it. It is usually well managed with diet alone. 

There is however something else called Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD. This is an immune-mediated, incurable disease of the GI lining, and it is a big, big deal. It is the canine equivalent of Crohn's disease in humans. Mortality rate is 20% even with treatment, and it is a very difficult and expensive disease to treat and manage. It usually requires some type of medication that works directly on the immune system in addition to a very restrictive diet. The only way to definitely diagnose IBD is through an endoscopy or exploratory surgery, but a low cobalamin (B12) level is a very strong indicator. I sure hope Bodi doesn't have it. 

JD's diet consists of about 60% Wellness Simple Solutions Salmon kibble and about 40% homecooked chicken breast and sweet potatoes. (Many IBD dogs cannot eat chicken, but JD has always been a bit of an oddball, lol)  I add human food grade cellulose powder to his meals. Originally his IMS recommended Metamucil, but we have found that he does better with insoluble fiber. 

He also takes a lot of meds and supplements, and gets monthly B12 shots).

There is also no way to know whether any of this is food related, even with an endoscopy. The biopsies may show eosinophils, which is an indication that there is an allergic component to the disease, but that still doesn't tell you much. In most cases, your best bet is to feed an LID diet that uses a single, novel protein source and a single novel carb. While there is no way to know what specific foods a dog may be allergic to, if any, they can't be allergic to something they've never had before. 

It is also crucial that a dog with any kind of GI issues, particularly those related to bacteria, be kept on a good probiotic. Proviable is an excellent choice.

JD takes a human probiotic called VSL#3, which has been researched in dogs with IBD. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here is an excellent article on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Dogs:

http://www.2ndchance.info/inflambowel.htm