Gastroenteritis

I have a 9-year-old greyhound mix who has had three episodes of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, approximately a year apart. The first two were treated with IV fluids and antibiotics. In the most recent episode, the antibiotics (amoxicilian and Cipro) didn't seem to work, and she relapsed within a week, so my vet switched her to metronidazole. He is now recommending Hill's Science Diet w/d formula, thinking a very high-fiber, low-fat diet may be beneficial. After reading the label, I am concerned about the ingredients and nutritional value.
Up until this recent HGE episode, I have been feeding her primarily chicken, pork, and cottage cheese, supplemented with commercial dog food such as Innova or Evo, although she's a very fussy eater and usually ignores the dog food. Now I am concerned that this home-cooked diet contributed to her HGE.
If you have any opinions or advice about what to feed her, I would sure appreciate hearing from you!
Thanks in advance -
Shannon

My Comment:

Hi Shannon

It is difficult to know what the reason is for her this condition. Especially when it comes one year apart. It make the diagnosis more difficult and as well the treatment as you don't know if the treatment is working....or its not time for the disease to show up again.

Is there any other signs of stomach problems. Like diarrhea or soft stool? Any sounds coming from the stomach? Does she have a tendency to be nauseous in the morning? These could be signs of a general intestinal problem.

I don't know if this is the case or the only sign is the "bouts of diarrhea" as you have described

To be sure I would recommend a scan for several parasites before doing anything else.

If any other signs of intestinal problem/irritation (like the one above) I would recommend you to try a commercial diet used in IBD. These contain a protein source which should be to your dog.

You could try canned food for example and perhaps add some extra rice.

Dry foods are available to, but often the ingredients is ......well, let me say be better.

But you have also to have the goal in sight.

The primary goal is her to be feeling better and avoid the attacks of the disease.

Which bring me to the "best dog food" problem. The "best dog food" depends from the point of view. Is it from the ingredient perspective? Or is it from the "now she is better" perspective. Sometimes you have to make a choice and it might be better to try a commercial diet and see how she is doing on this.

You have alternatives so you can try to find the one you can accept. Often I find the canned food better from an ingredient point of view.

Try to look into the Royal Canin diets for stomach and intestinal problems. Try one for some time and see if there is any difference.

You have also the possibility to try a homemade hypoallergenic diet. You can find recipes on my site.

Eventually, you can use the commercial diet as the main base and add some homemade hypoallergenic food as a supplement.

All the best

Per Schonbeck