Protein Losing Enteropathy / IBD - Columbo's update

[bobohyde]

We went in this morning for a recheck. We were a bit worried because the first week of being on meds, his poop had slightly started to firm up, but the second week (last week), it's back to runny again. He also acts like he's starving! I know steroids do that and Columbo has always been food obsessed, but this past week is a new level of food obsession. When we are home, he is pacing in the kitchen all the time! So it was a good surprise that his Albumin levels have increased to 2.0 (last week 1.9). The internist gave him another B12 shot and another 2 week supply of metronidazole. She has reduced his steroids from 5 mg twice a day to 5 mg in the am and 2.5 mg in the evening. She has also ordered him some venison based hypo-allergenic food which should be in later in the week. He has lost a few more ounces and now weighes 6.8. She is not concerned that his weight is too low (he was slightly chubby before all this) but doesn't want him to keep losing. He actually looks good, but I can tell he has lost muscle mass because I can feel his spine and his bones in his bottom. I guess we have to get this under control before we can work on that. The first priority is saving his life and then we go from there. She hopes that the new food with a protein new to him will help with the diarrhea and processing of the protein. This is an auto-immune disease and they don't really know what causes it, but the thought is it is diet related and diet/nutrition is very important in controlling it. So we feel pretty good with his progress after all! Now if it would just stop snowing and warm up, I could give him a haircut. His sides and tummy have been shaved and it drives me nuts.

[Maximo]

Columbo is a strong boy and he has a great mom to look after him. Praying for his continued improvement. I hope this is the last of our snow.

[MandiesMom]

Thank you for updating us...i pray the new food helps!

[kjc]

Yay! Good news! Glad his results are improving, and yes, from what I've read, diet is key in controlling this illness. Praying for the Bobo!

[ladyjane]

Yes, diet is very important. That is why I opted to do a consult with a vet nutritionist and home cook. I swear that diet is saving Cookie's life. Of course, there are RX diets that do work.
I hope Columbo continues to do well.

[bobohyde]

We've been going to the vet every Monday since this started. Good news today! Albumin level is 2.5 today! That is within the normal range. He is still on prednisone, but she reduced it to 5mg a day. He has been eating Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Select Protein for about 10 days now and doing well (both canned and dry for variety). The only thing that has changed is he is drinking more water and peeing more the past few days. She said it is a symptom of the heavy steroids. He is supposed to finish what's left of the metronidazole and then he's done with that. We go back next Monday for the 5th of 6 cobalamin (B12) injections and then have 2 weeks until we go back to check his albumin again. The vet is really pleased with his progress. His weight was down, 6.3lbs, but the vet said she thinks their scales have been off the past week and need calibrated, so she thinks that's wrong. She wasn't concerned and he doesn't look or feel like he's lost any more. Columbo seems completely normal except for the food obsession being more than before this happened due to the steroids. We are ecstatic he is doing so well! . Hoping this continues!

[ladyjane]

Happy to hear that Columbo is continuing to improve.

[Patti]

That is great news!! Praying for continued good results for Columbo.

[kjc]

So happy to hear this news!