[Brightelf]

In the USA, what is the usual treatment with Tylan and probiotics? I know each dog is different, each vet may perscribe differently... but... how long and how much of what meds is usually perscribed for SIBO?

 

[Brightelf]

Grimm has had 2 stressful times in his life, an international move, and a 4 week boarding stay while my new hubby and I had to go to a hospital for his lung surgery. After each time, he got watery stool. (he was de-wormed after the boarding)

The first time (after the move here) the vet treated Grimm with 2 weeks Metronidizole and then probiotics. Perfect! After the boarding when he got the runs, she gave a one week Metronidizole supply.. and I gave some probiotics I got at the pharmacy (not at same meals as the metronidizole).

Unfortunately, towards the end of the week's treatment, he gets watery stool again.

Worse-- vets here do not like to perscribe antibiotics at all, believing the body needs to learn to fight stuff off...... I cannot imagine my vet perecribing the couple of months treatment I have heard works well and successfully for SIBO dogs in USA.

What is the normal protocol for SIBO?

 

[dOg]

I can't say what normal is, but know my sister has had quick and good success using low dose of <span style="color: #CC0000">Tylosin</span>

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

Here's the info I printed out and took with me to the vet's when I requested the SIBO test for Keef: http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2002&PID=2580

 

[arycrest]

Kelly was treated successfully with a 30 day course of Tetracycline along with 20 months eating Eukanuba/IAMS Low Residue food. He was then weaned back onto a normal diet and so far he's doing well, can eat anything/everything with no problems.

Kelly was diagnosed using the Texas A&M blood test!!!

 

[ldpeterson]

Often Tylan, Metronidazole, or Tetracycline is used in conjuction with a low-fat, low-fiber diet.

 

[Brightelf]

Thanks all... our vet will ring us back tonight, and my hubby will ask about this protocol with the Tylan for extended period use... gosh i hope she agrees.... or has a proven, better protocol for this. They do not like giving any antibiotics, let alone for so long.

 

[JenM66]

Gracie was on 30 days of metronidazole (250 mg AM and PM, this low dosing was not going to cause any ill effects) and Eukanuba/Iams Low Residue food. She was on the Science Diet i/d food for about a week to settle her digestive system. When she started to refuse it, I gradually added in the low residue kibble. She was treated this way in September '06, has been eating the low residue food since, and has only had one flare up this past month (Feb '08) so she is getting 1/4 tsp tylan daily since the flare up. Tylan can be given safely for long term - it is seen more as an anti-inflammatory than an antibiotic (even though it is an ABx). Seems to have done the trick. She did not do well with probiotics - they made her poo much more mucousy. Every dog is different. You'll get many different replies here. Bottom line is what works best for your dog.

 

[cafrhe]

Does your vet know what 'real' SIBO is? That in GDSs it can be genetically based? SIBO can either be a momentary imbalance of bacteria in the small intestine (not supposed to have many bacteria there) brought on by stress, eating something bad, having a round of antibiotics for something else. Or it can be an inherent problem with the protective mucus lining the digestive tract. Some dogs are cured after 30days on Metronidozol, some cannot be 'cured'.

The bacteria keep recolonizing the small intestine because the mucus doesnt protect the area properly (technically they are Immunoglobin A deficient). There are several scientific studies/papers you could print out for the vet to help your case. I know my vets opinion was "Yeah, gds's are known for their sensitive bowls". Real helpful, I had to find out the diagnosis and treatment on line and ask them to do it.

Griffin is controlled by tylan 2x/day. You can order it on line. Griffin did have several blood tests confirming that he had the high folate and low cobolamine consistant with SIBO. Of course he also had blood and fecal tests to rule out other nasties!

Good luck with your vet. I agree that the body should be able to handle most things, but sometimes that isnt possible.

 

[ldpeterson]

Annabelle was on Metronidazole for at least 4 months until we gave up with the drug. She was on Tetracycline for the next year. Then she did Tylan for 6 months until I found a diet that can control it.

I have to feed her prescription food. She has been unable to tolerate anything else (she has Inflammatory Bowel disease as well). However, Royal Canin L/F is a prescription food that is good for SIBO and since then we have had no issues.

I'm sure there are other diet options to choose from, but this is the one that worked for her well enough that she does not have to take medicine.

I don't believe Annabelle's SIBO will ever go away as she's had it since she was 5 months old. She is almost 4 now. All we can do is manage it.

 

[JenM66]

Originally Posted By: mamagoose However, Royal Canin L/F is a prescription food that is good for SIBO and since then we have had no issues.

I had been looking at that food. It's hard to get the low residue lately, since the change on the bag from Eukanuba to Iams - even though they are owned by the same company. Where I work we sell the l/f. I might give it a try! How big is Annabelle? How much do you feed? Gracie is 61 pounds and is getting 4 1/2 cups a day of the LR.

THANKS for posting this!

 

[ldpeterson]

Originally Posted By: JenM66

Originally Posted By: mamagoose However, Royal Canin L/F is a prescription food that is good for SIBO and since then we have had no issues.

I had been looking at that food. It's hard to get the low residue lately, since the change on the bag from Eukanuba to Iams - even though they are owned by the same company. Where I work we sell the l/f. I might give it a try! How big is Annabelle? How much do you feed? Gracie is 61 pounds and is getting 4 1/2 cups a day of the LR.

THANKS for posting this!

Annabelle is 72 lbs. and the bag says to feed her 7 cups a day. I feed her 5 cups and 1/2 can a day as she was getting fat on 7.

It's 222 k/cal of dry per cup and 442 k/cal per can.

Some would cringe over the ingredients (Corn oh no!) but so far it's the only thing I have been able to feed without meds. She looks great on it though and her poops have been better than ever. No gas either!

On their website the food is indicated for SIBO along with several other ailments.

 

[LandosMom]

Lando was on Tylan about a year. i forget the exact dosage but it was a small amount twice a day (maybe 1/8 tsp?).

i would be very careful about putting any dog on flagyl (metro) for an extended time. that is what we did first for lando and she had a bad bad reaction- it can caused neural issues- she looked like she had a stroke. luckily we caught it in time.

 

[Brightelf]

This info helps so much! Jen, so sorry Gracie had a tough time of it. I honestly don't know if the vet knows this can be genetic.. she only mentioned following stress in shepherds this can happen. I am HOPING she will agree to the Tylan for a solid month.

Thanks for posting about what foods work well! This is also good to know.

 

[DancingCavy]

I also agree with not putting a dog on Metranidozole (Flagyl) for long-term as it has been known to cause neurological problems.

Ris was on 1/8 tsp Tylan powder twice a day for her SIBO. I never did any less than a 30-day course (because that's what a friend whose dog had SIBO recommended). Fortunately for us, Ris' SIBO wasn't a chronic condition.

If the 30-day course of antibiotics doesn't clear things up with Grimm, I would consider talking to her about it being a chronic condition. It's pretty common in GSDs (unfortunately).

 

[3K9Mom]

We did all the usual stuff.

What worked for us was 30 days of amoxicillin, 3 times a day. I honestly don't know why that particular abx is not prescribed more. Within 3 days, we had solid poop (raw-fed dog poop that bounces!) and we've never looked back!

I can look up the dosage if you want. I still have the bottle here somewhere {shuffling papers on desk...}

 

[Brightelf]

AAARRGGGHH!! The vet here does not agree with trying Tylan. I think they understand GSDs get stressed then get diarrhea...... but do not get the whole SIBO idea.

How does one order Tylan online? How do I know it's the real, good quality stuff?

Note: I will be sending a stool sample in to the vet, probably, on Friday. No idea what the vet will be looking for in the sample, but the path report comes back with medicine reccomendations. I hate this language barrier... Ulrich doesn't know what to ask, he's never had a dog before, and he is talking to the vet himself.

So... online Tylan suggestions for ordering?

 

[Fee]

Sorry for your troubles! Although my mother tongue is german, can't help you with SIBO as I don't know much about it. Maybe Ulrich could go on a german GSD board and get some advice there. Here is one: http://www.schaeferhund.net/

Hope Grimm will be O.K.! I would think the vet would look for worms or giardia in a stool sample. I am just guessing.

Is this what you are looking for?
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=f6a45179-f44b-42f5-9552-dcee93bea6da
http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf_id=33603&

Good luck!

 

[Brightelf]

Thank you Fee, those links really are a help.

And you are very sweet to wish Grimm to be well.

Thank you again!

 

[Fee]

Here is the german version of SIBO. http://www.vitalitys.ch/PDF/darm.pdf
If you scroll down to page 7 and 8 - the vets do use Tylosin so maybe a different vet could prescribe it for Grimm.
I know it can be frustrating. Intestinal problems always are and plus the language. When I moved to Canada going to a doctor was difficult at first, plus I was used to have alternative medicine used automatically as well. Oh well...

Hope you get some answers soon!