My 3 year old Aussie / border collie cross has been diagnosed with inflamed bowel disease after having a scope and biopsy. He has been taking Metronidazole for his vomiting for about 6 months and now, in addition, is taking cortisone. While he’s taking these medications can I give him the Gastriplex or will the Metronidazole just cancel it out since it’s an antibiotic?
Thanks, Sherie
Hello Sherie,
Genetics, nutrition, infectious agents and immune abnormalities may all play a role in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Hopefully parasites and other concurrent diseases have been ruled out for your dog. Management usually involves a combination of diet change, medication and supplementation therefore Gastriplex would be an excellent addition to his treatment.
Gastriplex should be taken at least an hour before or after the metronidazole because it can physically bind to the antibiotic. Not only will it reduce oxidative damage to the intestinal lining, it will help restore healthy gut flora destroyed by chronic use of antibiotics. Fatty acids such as Super EPA by Thorne are very anti-inflammatory also and may help with immune regulation.
If you have not discussed it with you veterinarian, I highly recommend you place your dog on a hypoallergenic diet. A high quality protein and highly digestible carbohydrate diet that your dog has never been exposed to before (eg. venison and sweet potato) should help reduce the inflammation progression. Preservatives and food dyes in the diet and dog treats also may increase the irritation of gastrointestinal system. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA
Note: For more information about IBD, visit our main webpage Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats.