Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease

HELPFUL HINTS

Your vet is a wonderful resource for how to control your dog's IBD flare ups, but other owners of IBD dogs are terrific resources for information about how to cope with the illness. Owners can also provide hints on how to make life more comfortable for you and your beloved dog. Here is a list of advise that IBD dog owners thought would benefit others:

• Be especially careful when adding anything new to the diet. Add only one thing at a time, add it in very small quantities, and observe the dog carefully for at least a week before increasing amounts. Many IBD dogs are allergic to foods that "normal" dogs can tolerate, so start with very small quantities and stop immediately if the dog vomits, gets diarrhea, or begins to itch or swell.
   

• Only make ONE change at a time so you will be able to identify what works and what doesn't. For instance, don't reduce medications and add a new food, if problem arises you won't know if it's because of the reduction of medicine or the new food.
   

• Be patient. Do not take your dog off medications too early, they do not work immediately (they can take months to kick in). You will be doing more harm than good by trying to get your dog off meds too early.
   

• You are not alone. There is a group of IBD dog owners committed to emotionally supporting you and your dog. They have been where you are.
   

• Do not get upset in front of your dog. Your dog is much smarter than you think, and will know when you are upset. Although you may want to sit and cry, be strong for the dog and let him know that, as a team, you will control this disease. He will feed off your strength.
   

• Baby wipes work wonders. They are great for cleaning up a messy dog's rear after a potty outing.
   

• Frequently, IBD dogs also have skin allergies. Aveeno baths will help relieve the itch.
   

• Most IBD dogs are on strict diets, and cannot have treats, right? Wrong! Treats can be made from your prescribed canned dog food. Also, homemade cookies can be made, as well as Yam cookies (which also work as a stool firming agent!). See the Diet Info page for recipes.
   

• Firming agents: when medicine isn't doing the trick, try canned pumpkin (Libby's has the highest amount of fiber) or Slippery Elm (the inner bark of the tree found in the United States and Canada. You can find Slippery Elm in a health food/vitamin store. There is a lot of information about it on the web)... or both!
   

• Accidents are bound to happen. Often, your dog may not make it outside before he vomits or has a burst of diarrhea. Spot Shot (found in grocery stores) is wonderful for cleaning up stains.
   

• For dogs prone to urinary tract infections, try ¼ part Listerine and ¾ part water in a carpet scrubber bottle. Using this on urine stains will eliminate the smell and help with the stain.