English Cocker With EPI and Chronic Diarrhea: Is Long-Term Tylan (Tylosin) Safe?
by Bonnie
(Wonder Lake, IL)
We started her on K-9 porcine enzymes and B-12 injections and she slowly started gaining some weight back and perked up a bit, but the diarrhea never stopped and only got worse until 3 weeks ago, when the diarrhea (degraded to just water) was nearly every 2 to 3 hours around the clock, there were signs of significant blood in the stool, and she didn't want to eat anymore. The vet gave her Tylan and immediately her life turned around. She poops once a day now, we only need to feed her twice a day (down from 3 to 4 times a day), her stool is formed but still not firm, her coat is shiny, she is starting to run and play again, and she hasn't had an accident in the house in over 2 weeks, nor does her stomach gurgle.
It's been 6 months of experimentation with tests, drugs, food
Thank you for sharing Bonnie's story. You've worked hard to get her here, and it's wonderful to hear she's eating normally, gaining weight and playing again.
Tylan (tylosin) is an antibiotic in the same family as erythromycin, and vets often use it for certain types of chronic diarrhea. It's generally well tolerated: published studies of "tylosin-responsive diarrhea" haven't found significant side effects, and the most common problems are mild stomach upset. Many dogs respond very well, as she has.
The main things to know before changing the dose: diarrhea often comes back within weeks when tylosin is stopped (in one study, in about 4 in 10 dogs), and some vets prefer to avoid open-ended antibiotic use when it can be reduced, because of antibiotic resistance. That's why vets often try to find the lowest dose that keeps a dog well, sometimes alongside a diet change. Please make any change, including going to once a day, with your vet's guidance, and only after she has been stable for a while, so you can tell whether it's working.
It's also worth asking your vet to recheck her B12 level and weight at regular intervals, since dogs with EPI often need ongoing monitoring. Our guides to dog diarrhea treatment and diarrhea in dogs have more background.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Diarrhea.
