So Ursala has been having recurring bouts of GI issues that we haven't been able to kick. It used to be that antibiotics would keep her clear for a few months at a time, then a few weeks, then it would turn into two rounds of antibiotics... until this last round, which we couldn't get over the hump. Lots of gas, diarrhea, etc.
So a lot of $$$ later in testing, and she's been diagnosed with EPI, SIBO, and likely IBD. EPI means the pancreas is no longer secreting the necessary digestive enzymes (likely caused by long term damage from multiple bouts of pancreatitis which we have battled since she was young), which means vitamin deficiencies and eventual weight loss due to malabsorption. The undigested food feeds SIBO, which is a bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines, causing more gas, diarrhea, and possibly her HGE event earlier this year. It also explains how she's been maintaining her weight despite eating double what the boys do, and they have 20-30 lbs on her.
The care plan is digestive enzymes with every meal ($$$), and two months of Tylosin which is an antibiotic intended for longer usage than metronidazole. This is coupled with a prescription hydrolyzed kibble ($$$$$). She also needs B12 injections weekly - she had one already, today they are showing me how to administer, and I will do them from home from now on.
She had been on chicken and rice for a bland diet with some of the kibble introduced, and the first night on the new meds was a disaster. The gas was out of this world, and her BM was one of the worst to date. I was going to stop the kibble, but a vet friend (former greyhound trainer and pet mom to FIFTEEN greyhounds) said she NEEDS that kibble, stop the chicken and rice instead, as she may have developed a sensitivity/allergy to the chicken. Second day seemed a little better, and by the third day the gas has stopped completely. I haven't seen any fresh BM's, but I'm hoping for a nice, fully formed turd at some point!
Never thought the moments I'd look forward to most in my life would be literal dog ****!