Food Intolerances/Allergies

by Jennie Stringer
(Rotherham, England)

Hello,
I have a 6month old Cocker Spaniel and since getting him at 8 wks old he has suffered from runny stools often containing blood and can go up to 10/12 times in 24hrs. He has been to the vets on numerous occasions and has had stool sample tests and blood tests to rule out more serious problems all of which came back clear. On the advice of the vets I have tried various foods from hypo allergenic to home cooked foods containg either chicken and rice or fish and potato none of which seem to make any differance. earlier this week I have started him on Orijen 6fish Dog food which is higher protein and with no grain. So far it doesn't seem to have made much difference although hasn't made him worse!! Do you think it is worth sticking on for a while longer or do you have any suggestions as so what it could be and how I can help make him better?

Kind Regards

Jennie Stringer

Answer

Hi Jenny

I feel sorry to hear that such a young dog have this kind of problem.

Poor him!

If he was my patient I would first work out if any signs of intestinal irritation caused by
a parasite called Giardia (Called Giardia Intesitnalis) was apparent.

This parasite is becoming more and more common in pups and the diagnosis can
be done in stool samples using a special fluorescence techniques.

Then I would see if any abnormalities in the blood samples regarding Folate and Vitamin B 12.

If any abnormalities then it could be a sign of more general intestinal diseases, often involving increased eosinophil white blood cells migration into the intestinal wall.

The disease is called Eosinophil Enteritis

If so, treatment with cortisone and special diets do have a good prognosis.

Reading your mail, i get the impression that it might be primary from the colon the symptoms are coming.

Blood in the stool and frequent toilet visits are both sings of involvement of the colon.

Have you seen any mucus in the stool?

This is another frequent finding in diseases of the colon.

Often the disease found is Eosinophil Colitis and this can be treated.

The problem on the other hand is the medicines.

The medicines used in the treatment has a potential side effect of decrease the tear production.

Cocker Spaniel's have a genetic tendency to develop "dry eyes" (KCS) on their own, so you have to discuss risk and benefits of this with your vet.

Have you discussed biopsy from the colon?

This would be something I would regard as very important to do, even if he still is very young.

This is always a judgement done by the veterinarian and based on severity of the condition.

Biopsy of the colon can be done with a endoscope - so operation should be possible to avoid.

From those small tissue samples from the colonic wall you could hopefully see the cause of his problems.

To sum it up;

Test specific for Giadia.

Then, from what you explain to me, look at the Folate and Vitamin B 12 to see if any more general intestinal disease was going on.

Next; biopsy from the colon would be important to rule out Colitis.

I would be glad if you would let me know later on, how he is going on.

Until then i send you my thoughts.

All the best

DVM Per Schonbeck

Comments for
Food Intolerances/Allergies

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 01, 2010

Cntd
by: Jennie

Hi the tablets he was on are called Synulux and I believe are a penicillin based product. I have been back to my vets today he suspects it is a condition where the gut over produces bacteria and therefore the body can't properly digest the food.
He has prescribed a longer course of anti biotics (6 wks) then has said he will need a dose of pro biotics to replenish good bacteria in his gut. If this is unsuccesfull we may try the colonic biopsy and it's possible he may need anti biotics for a long period of time.

Reply:

Synolux is a penecillin. Nothing dangerous.
I think this is great news if this would work.
How happy i am for you and your dog.

The patients i have had suffering of this condition have had antibiotics for at least 4 weeks.

Serum Cobalamine and Folate can also change (low cobalamin and/or high folate) in this disease.

All the best and i really hope this works!

Per Schonbeck

Feb 25, 2010

Food Intolerances cntd
by: Jennie Stringer

Hi

Just an update.
After no improvement in my puppy we decided to try a course of anti biotics for 7 days. after only 24hrs on them he started to improve dramatically and by the end of the 7 days was practically normal. Only going to the toilet 2/3 times a day and his stools much improved with no blood or mucus. I thought this was going to be the end of his problems but unfortunatly within 24hrs of finishing them he has started to return to how he was which is very upsetting. Any ideas as to why this could be? I have made an appointment to see my vet at the beginning of next week.

Kind regards

Jennie

The Reply:

Hi Jennie

No, this is difficult i admit.

My first thought and idea was "coccidiosis" actually.

But this is only a guess of cause.

What kind of antibiotic did you use?

Sometimes the bacteria in the gut can "get in a total mess"

Some bacterias can get in far to large numbers and cause problems.

Perhaps this is something....?

The problem treating coccidiosis in Cockers is their eyes.

Sulfonamids can be a cause of dry eyes as well.

So, using this should be done knowing the risk and after
risk benefit analysis.

Otherwise i would try to give AB for a longer period and see
if this can stabilise the gut.

This is only some ideas....

Please keep me updated.

DVM Per Schonbeck

Feb 07, 2010

Food Intolerances/Allergies
by: Jennie

Hi

Thank you for your response to my questions regarding my Cocker Spaniel, I really appreciate your advice.
He has been tested for Giardia and had a slight infestation which was treated with Panacur. His stools often contain mucus and usually very strong smelling!
I am presuming the blood tests done were to illiminate the abnomalities you mention because my vet did talk to me about the medication which may cause dry eye but as the results came back negative wasn't required. He has also been tested for pancreatic and enzyme deficency which have come back all clear. The blood tests did show up a that his red blood cells wetre a little on the low side but the vet thought that was probably consistant with him frquently passing blood. He has also had a short dose of steroids for a week to try to help any inflammation of the colon but again made no differance.
My vet has talked to me about the next steps being a Colonic biopsy but said we may have to wait a little longer as at present he is still slightly too small for the endoscope.
Am I right in thinking that from both your and my vets advice it is more than just a food intollerance and in which case doesn't really matter what I feed him as long as it is a good quality well balanced food?

Kind Regards

Jennie Stringer

Answer

Hi Jenny

Yes, it sounds like "there is more to it" than just intolerance.

When i suspects food intolerance and recommend a special diet, very often you see fast results.

Dealing with food allergy (and here you always see puritus, with or without skin infections) the diet should be given for 12 weeks before you can be sure to see results.

You did not mention any itching in your mail so i really don't think it matters what you feeding as long it is balanced.

Ask your vet if he can agree with me if you should try one type of pro biotic. I use this a lot in all types of gastrointestinal patients.

I use one from UK called Pro-Soluble.

It is a powder and added on his food on a daily basis.

Omega 3 can also have some anti inflammatory properties and you can try that as well.

I really hope that his problems are being solved.

But, he is in good hands - you being the owner.

Your regular vet sounds very well skilled and well informed as well.

So, his supporting team is well in place and that is important.

Please let me know how he develops in the future.

Thank you

DVM Per Schönbeck

Click here to add your own comments