Chronic Diarrhea

Question:

I have a 38 lb. female husky who has had chronic diarrhea for over a year now (she is 1 yr 3 mos). The doctors can not figure out what she has, he suggested surgery and steroids but I do not want to go that route. She has been on pills for irritable bowel syndrome, holistic food (Avadurm ) and now Taste of the Wild. We also have tried Solid Gold bee pollen which we have to wait 30-60 days to see if it works. We also have tried Nutro Natural Choice Sensitive Stomach Biscuits and Eagle Pack Holistic Solutions and nothing has helped. I don't know what else to do.

Thank you,
Candace S.

Answer:

Hello Candace,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Since I don’t know what pills have been prescribed or tests run for your husky, I have a few questions.

• Has she been tested for giardia, coccidia, salmonella or helicobacter?
• Have they done blood tests for pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease?
• Does she have an increase in white blood cells or low protein?

Check closely to the food you are feeding, she may have a food allergy. Just because it is holistic, it still may not be eliminating the allergen. Dogs’ most common allergies are to chicken, beef, corn and wheat. If she happens to have an allergy to chicken, even the most natural holistic food will still generate an immune response if it contains chicken meal or even chicken fat.

Gastriplex would be a great place to start. It contains the probiotic Lactobacillus that helps the healthy intestinal bacteria. Taste of the Wild dog food does have probiotics, but supplementation may help.  Gastrigen has Chinese herbals that you can use in conjunction with the Gastriplex or even Runipoo which is a homeopathic.

I highly recommend speaking with a holistic or acupuncture veterinarian to discuss a home cooked diet, eastern herbal or acupuncture therapy, all which are used successfully with intestinal issues. If at the very least you will have tried all alternatives before using steroids or having surgery done. Best of luck.

Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA