Colitis - Advice please.

[just jackie]

From time to time Lilli the vietnamese pot-bellied Patterdale terriorist produces the most unpleasant pool of semi-liquid poo that appears to be somewhat jellified and bloody. It also tends to smell a bit rank. (sorry to be so graphic, but I thought it necessary to try and describe her symptoms)

I put this down to bouts of colitis, but it seldom lasts longer than a day, and to be honest I'm not at all sure what causes her to suffer with it. There have been times when I've thought it due to a change in environment or routine, and although madam Lilli comes across as a gobby, confident little madam, I think deep down she is a bit insecure and nervous. She was a rescue who came from a pts situation, so history unknown, but I think she had either been living rough for some time, or had been rather neglected as she was suffering from hair loss, either as a result of severe flea infestation or mange.

I mentioned her symptoms to the vet today and he seems to think it is more likely to be contributable to a food intolerance, although I can't for the life of me think what. He has suggested that a change of diet might provide the answer to her problem, and actually suggested Eukanuba (I stopped feeding this years ago after I found out that the manufacturers tested on animals. )

Does anyone have experience of a dog who suffers with regular bouts of colitis and if so what do you feed? I'm also wondering if regular doses of Actimel might help or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Jackie
x

[DianeB]

My Jack suffers with this. He can only eat fish and rice (he has JWB fish and rice complete) if he has anything else he becomes poorly - stomach cramps, blood in poo etc. I also give him tree barks powder from dorwest which really helps - something to do with coating the stomach and helping absorbtion of food i think. If he does get poorly i make sure i make sure he gets to the vets straight away because he dehydrates really quickly.
Stress definitely can start Jack off too, that's one of the reasons we never take him on holiday now, he stops with my parents. We did take him twice and on both occasions he became poorly the day after we arrived and ended up on a drip at a local vets.
Diane x

Modified to add that Slippery Elm powder is a good alternative to Tree Barks powder. It does not smell as much as the Tree Barks powder if Lilli is a fussy eater. I dont have that problem with Jack he is a greedy pig!

[dominique]

Bonnie can't have anything with chicken in it so we now feed her JWB Lamb and rice and it seems to suit her. The occassional runny poo but nothing like it was before and mainly due to her liking for tasting everything in the garden dead or alive!

My pattie comes across like a gobby little git, but he's a sensitive little soul who really is a bit scared of things and reacts defensively.

[sharron]

MIL's cairn has this. He cant eat anything with beef in. He is a right little wimp. Acts like a tough gay but when it comes to it hes a wimp.