Suspected IBD

[Joel Sassoon]

Charlie is 12 months old I have had him on various premium brand foods. He gets dihorea often but even so is well. Last week he looked very ill. I took him to the vet they did many tests and suspected Adissons disease. They then proceeded to do a more conclusive test and he was clear. The vet ordered an  ultrasound of his stomach all normal. He suggested a Novael protein diet aas he suspected a chicken allergy. Someone told me about Gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

has anyone had simililar problems? I would really appreciate the feedback

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a rare inherited disease in which the affected dog develops a sensitivity from eating gluten found in wheat and other grains. Only reported in the Irish setter breed in the United Kingdom, the disease causes diarrhea and weight loss

Joel

[Daniel White]

Hi, haven't been on here for a while.  Gluten sensitive enteropathy is quite common I think, wouldn't say it is inherited, although maybe the tendency runs in families.  My Red has it but it showed as constant loose stools, not intermittent, they were pale and looked like soggy mashed potato!  She was going about five or six times a day when it started.  I feed her mostly raw food now but if I do give her complete it is a gluten free one.  There are loads around.  Has your dog been tested for campylobacter?

[Dianne cook]

Interesting Joel. After reading what David has said makes me think my boy has suffered this for a long time! I only changed him to raw food last October from home cooked chicken, rice, pasta, veg and premium kibble. He has gained 7 Kgs and now weighs 37 Kgs. The difference is amazing but sadly I wish I had known what I know now and wouldn't of kept him on the diet he was on. Ive learned a lot from ES. I'll be keen to here some of the replys!

David, what is Campylobacter ?

[Catherine Carter]

Many years ago I had a dog named Charlie too who developed allergy to gluten. At the time it was fairly new and it took a bit of time to diagnose. He would have diarrhoea and did lose weight. Anyway we stopped all wheat and also give slippery elm to soothe his gut ( available from Dorwest or Hilton Herbs) and he lived a very healthy life to nearly 15. I hope this helps. :-)

[Sue Paterson]

Irish Setters, as a breed, are known to have sensitive digestion. Gluten sensitivity is often talked about, and that is why there are now a lot of gluten free products on the market. Certainly, any complete dog food we have fed over many years has always been gluten free, as that helps rule out one possible problem.

We have also had dogs who cannot manage chicken as the protein source, so we have tried to find different things that suit each dog.

I would prefer to feed raw now, but sadly, when we took the plunge, our 2 youngest decided to be awkward, so that has gone on the back burner for a while!!

Currently we feed Naturediet, which gives a variety of protein sources and seems to provide a reasonably natural diet, as a halfway measure.(I know there are arguments against the need for carbohydrates ie the rice:)) We also give the two youngest prebiotics to encourage good bacteria in the gut, and the old boy Kiefer has slippery elm, which helps him as he has bouts of colitis from time to time.

I have heard that Royal Canin for GSDs is good for Irish Setters with sensitive stomachs....I'm sure there are others who will be able to give you some ideas and thoughts to help you through this undeniably difficult subject.