colitis - at my wits end *updated*

[Fairyfluff76]

Hi, I have a springer pup, nearly 9 months of age, doing really well except that she suffers from bouts of colitis, she is fine in herself, nice coat and gaining weight.

She came to me from the breeder on proplan and was fine on that but she is a very picky eater and I wanted to change to a more holistic approach so slowly changed her to nature diet and burns, fine at first on it.

Over the past 4 months she has had bouts (not all the time) of loose stools, mucusy stools and the latest is blood in her stools, I took her off the nature diet and just gave her the burns, seemed ok for a while despite eating tiny amounts.
I have also tried moving her from the chicken and rice burns onto the fish and rice (someone said try a different protein source) but it seemed to make her worse. Vet suggested hills - tried that (slowly introducing it).

She is up to date on worming and vaccinations etc, has been to the vet when it has been at its worse and she has advised the home cooked food etc until firmed up and then slowly re-introduce nromal food.
I am beginning to think I should just put her back onto the proplan but have been really looking into the nature diet frozen complete blocks.
Anyone had a similar problem? Does anyone feed the frosen blocks?

Thanks

[Fairyfluff76]

Just to add we are back to the vets tommorow, vet said last time if it carries on she will run some tests.

[southern cockers]

I can identify entirely with your quandry. I have a Cocker that up to 12 months suffered the most horrific bouts of Colitis, irrespective of the fact that she was on Flagyl at all times. Additionally I was making Semolina and boiling rice on a daily basis to no avail. I had all the blood and stool tests done with negative results but the problem persisted.The one food that seemed to work on a semi permanent basis was Specific Digestive Support ( check Viovet) which is manufactured by the Danish company Dechra, and should be available through a local veterinary outlet.
Like you the pup was tolerant of Burns and other hypoallergenic foods for a short time before the dreaded Colitis returned, and the aforementioned Specific was the only food that gave any relief for a considerable period of time.
Thankfully she has now outgrown the problem and now longer requires Flagyl and is on the same food as the rest of the crew which is a high protein Lamb & Rice mixture.
I really do hope that you find a solution as it is a most distressing condition.

[sus]

We had trouble with a young springer a few years ago although can't remember what the diagnosis was - we were told to change food and give smaller meals - that seemed to work for us. Good luck in getting it right

[keirk]

Jack had colitis til he was around 15mo - the state of his stools was a favourite topic of discussion in our house for a long time. Tried him on most of the best foods JWB, Orijen, Arcana etc ... none really suited him (some better than others). Then, around 3 months ago tried Symply - the difference is amazing - healthy solid stools, good shiny coat etc - well worth considering.

[Rothievale]

Has your vet given you any prebiotic paste to try? I have used diansyl in the past and it's been brilliant and sorting their guts out. I think constantly changing food and trying new food might not help until the gut balance is sorted.

[cedarose]

A friend of mine had a springer which had runs on & of until she changed the food to Eukanuba FP formula this can be got from viovets under Eukanuba vet diets its made out of fish & potatoes no probs since the dog was changed to this.

[Fairyfluff76]

Thanks for the replies, the vet hasn't given us probiotic, just antibiotics in the past, she has also had problems emptying her anal glands fully and has had them expressed a couple of times.

We are back to see the vet in the morning so will update you when I get chance, its just so frustrating, one minute you think you've got it cracked and then it flares up again.
Keirk - I have been recomended symply by our local pet shop as I know the girl that works there, I used to feed my old Hound on it under its old name.

I fully understand that changing foods frequently isnt going to help the situation, I want to find a food that she enjoys (preferably not dry) that suits her and doesnt give her another flare up.

Thanks again.

[Shep]

I have a border collie with a similar problem but for the opposite reason she's nearly 17! If she has a bout of colitis I feed her scrambled egg with a spoonful of plain yoghurt (probiotic type) and maybe boiled rice. When poos get normal again after a couple of days on this - slowly back onto normal food. She has been on Burns fish and rice for ages but can't have it now because it sets it off - I wonder if they've changed their recipe?? She's now on Barking Heads - quite dear but she's been ok for a month now. Good luck with the pup.

[Nette]

I would certainly get some probiotic to put back the good bugs as your pup has had AB's, I use a probiotic powder sprinkled over food much more efficient way for the dog to absorb it.

Edited I also gave bananas to help when my pup was unwell