Newfoundland With Diarrhea Every Few Days: Could It Be IBS?
by Ann
(Canada)
developed diarrhea every four or five days.
Tests on fecal samples show nothing and he has been put on Flagyl
twice a day when symptoms occur. He will go for for or five days with normal bowel movements and suddenly his bowel movements go from normal, semi-liquid to liquid in one movementThis is something that happens suddenly and if he does not get outside immediately will have an accident in the house. The Flagyl works within six to eight hours.
He has not lost any weight, he continues to play, seems very happy and these bouts of diarrhea don't seem to bother him at all. I have him on a rice/fish diet and do add finely grated vegetables, carrots and zucchini.
Could this be IBS and if so is there more we should be doing for him?
Thank you.
Sudden, urgent episodes of diarrhea that keep coming back in a dog who otherwise seems well could be a chronic enteropathy (often called IBD). In dogs, "IBS" isn't a well-defined diagnosis; it's generally used only after other causes are ruled out. A single negative stool test also doesn't rule out parasites such as Giardia or whipworms.
Rather than repeated short antibiotic courses, ask your vet about a strict diet trial with a hydrolyzed or novel-protein prescription diet, fed with nothing else for at least a couple of weeks. About half to two-thirds of dogs with chronic enteropathy improve on diet alone. Soluble fiber can also help when the diarrhea is urgent and large-bowel in type. If he doesn't respond, blood tests including vitamin B12 and possibly biopsies are the next steps.
See IBD in dogs and colitis in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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