Elsie/11 month whippet / relapse

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Erica

Just wondering how Elsie is doing and if the vet has managed to give something to settle her tummy?

Jo

[Erica]

Hi Jo,
Thanks for asking.
Elsie saw a vet on Tuesday. We agreed to stop the omeprazole as this was probably making her vomit. The vet's feeling now is that she has a gastric inflammation due to her having eating something that's upset her.
She is on a bland diet of Royal Canin gastro food. I have also been feeding her chicken and rice. The vet gave Elsie an anti sickness injection.
Elsie was fine Tues/Weds.
She had some abdominal discomfort on Thursday morning so I gave her a Cerenia tablet that I had been given for her last year at the start of her SRMA. She was fine then.
This morning she was showing abdominal pain but not for too long.
I am going to see how she does over the weekend. She hasn't gone off her food. I wonder if I need to find a sensitive stomach food for her.
She never ate well as a pup. I wonder if the gastric issue is long standing, maybe caused the SRMA ?

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Erica

I wonder if Elsie may have an inflammatory gastric problem such as IBD.  I wonder if your vet would consider a short course of metronidazole to see if it has any good effect?   Metronidazole can also kill off any nasty bacteria.

Quote:  Plumb;'s Veterinary Drug Handbook 8th Edition

For adjunctive therapy of inflammatory GI conditions (IBD)

(extra label)  10-15mg/kg twice daily.


This is a very widely used drug in veterinary practice, and I have known many dogs' to benefit from its use.

It might be worth a try.  What do you have to lose?

Wish you luck

Jo

[Erica]

Hi Jo,
Thanks. I have seen mention of metronidazole a lot. I will ask, thank you.
She has just had a blood test to check her B12 and folate levels. Will keep you posted.

[Erica]

Just a little update about Elsie.
She is very well at the moment. She is off the steroids and buzzing around like a whippet should.
I am keeping her on the RC Gastro food at the moment. The tests all came back clear - pancreatitis, worm counts etc. so the vet thinks maybe a food intolerance. Elsie always seemed to develop a bit of a sensitive stomach when I reduced the steroids. Maybe the SRMA was caused by a food intolerance? We'll never know. I will introduce single proteins slowly. I don't really like her on ultra processed food but if it keeps her well, I will go with it. Let's hope she doesn't relapse! Thanks for your advice. X

[Jo CIMDA]

That is great news Erica

Many thanks for the update.  It is lovely to have good news.

Personally, I wouldn't change anything.  If the diet suits her, then don't change it.

Best wishes
Jo