Hudson Update - not doing well

[Malinda]

Well its been almost 3 months and we thought we were in the clear/ Strict diet of Zignature Kangaroo and proviable DC everyday. Today we wake up at 7am and Hudson has a normal poop followed by bloody diarreah. Different than his usual episodes of his whole body clearing out so to us seemed like something different than his usual incidents.

We had noticed the past couple weeks him being very tired and lethargic, the past couple days even more so, but still eating and drinking normally. When he typically has his episodes he would stop eating a few days before hand. He has been happy but tired. 

With the blood in his stool today we brought him to the vet. They have done EVERY test possible obviously since this has been an ongoing incident. They did a physical today and checked everything and everything seemed normal. To me, it seemed like this incident was different than the last with the blood and tiredness and him wanting to eat, but the vet said since this has been going on every 2-3 months that it could be related and that a specialist is the next course of action.

I wanted to get your thoughts on this, especially the blood in that it just seems different. He has been put on Metronidozale again for the diarreah, which I told myself i would never do again, but seems that he needs something to help his stomach..

 

[Laura and Angus]

I can't shed any light on this situation because I would agree that a specialist will probably have more information/treatment options for you than a regular vet. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear Hudson's having such a tough time with digestive issues. I'm sure it's been difficult and hopefully you'll get some good information from other DK-ers and a specialist. Hope he's doing better soon!

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

If he were my dog, I'd be finding the best specialist available who can help you get the necessary scopes to see what is going on. 3 months is a long time. If you live near a major veterinary school, they should be able to help.

The reason I suggest a specialist/scopes is because they're necessary to rule out IBD. Personally, I have Crohn's disease... while Crohn's doesn't exist by name in dogs, it is a form of IBD which does exist in dogs. Without going into gory details, so much of this sounds familiar. The tiredness can also be IBD, and the appetite coming/going can also be it. So let Hudson know he has company! But you're also in good company, because there are a lot of doodles here with IBD and very experienced parents who I'm sure can help :)

You might also want to rule out CDiff... another form of colitis usually caused by antibiotic use... in humans, they rule this out by a simple stool test (though sometimes they come up negative even when it's present... it's worth it to re-test a few times especially with recent antibiotic use)... in dogs, not sure how it is tested but here is more info: 

https://www.vetinfo.com/clostridium-difficile-in-dogs.html

Just my two cents!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That tiredness can be a result of a B12 deficiency, which is one symptom/effect of IBD in dogs. And yes, it is very much like Crohn's disease in humans, right down to the fact that it is incurable and immune-mediated. In fact, some of the same types of immuno-suppressant drugs are used to treat it in dogs as in humans. 

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Yup, I have to get B12 shots monthly. The lucky trio... I find that 9 times out of 10, the tiredness comes from: B-12 being low, iron being low, or dehydration. 

That reminds me-- Malinda, don't be afraid to ask the vet to repeat previously done blood tests. I have to go for bloodwork once a month-- more if there are flares. I have the GI panel Karen mentions below in addition to a complete metabolic panel, CBC, iron w/ ferritin, and b12. The numbers can change quickly with IBD... my Iron was 50 one week and down to 15 the next week! So just because they were normal once doesn't mean they will be normal now. 

[Malinda]

He got his blood test in July and everything was normal. He is getting another blood test today. He also has a growth (Circular, looks like a pimple) on his stomach he has been non stop licking. Only one, so they think that it could be related to the auto immune disease if that is what he has, but they are also testing that to make sure its not something they need to remove.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree that a specialist is your best option.

One question. With all the blood work that has been done, has your vet done a GI panel? This must be sent out to TAMU takes about a week to get results, and costs about $180 for just the one test apart from any other blood work. It tests only cobalamin (B12),  folate, and a ratio called TLi. 

Also, when you say they have done every test possible, does that include an ultrasound?

The GI panel and ultrasound are the two best diagnostic tools for IBD apart from an endoscopy, which is the only way to diagnosis it for sure and must be done by a specialist under anesthetic. And yes, this does sound like IBD to me. 

[Malinda]

Hi Karen!

Yes they have done the GI Panel that takes a week and everything came back normal. They have not done an ultrasound though. My vet told me that we would have to go to the specialist to get that done.

Yeah its funny because my Husband works at a pharma company for the drugs for Crohns and auto immune disorders so he knows a lot about them. On to the specialist I go. I will keep you all posted on his progress and thank you all so much for your advice!!!! 

[Dana]

Hi Malinda, I'm so sorry Hudson is still having issues. Sending well wishes you guys get answers quickly & Hudson feels more like the silly boy Ginny tells me he is!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry Hudson and you are going through this.  I am sending wishes for a definite diagnosis and successful treatments for Hudson.  Please keep us updated.