Complete meltdown worried about my dog - first colitis now Jeyes Fluid - can anyone advise?

[BurningBridges]

I've posted here before about my 5 year old cockerpoo. He's had what we think is colitis since October, been under the vet, he rallies on various meds for a day or two, then its back to waking every hour in the night to pass mucous. His anal glands are also infected and bleeding, has vomited blood etc. Vet is proposing a biopsy but no one seems keen on that, am thinking we need a second opinion. If only that was the end of it, that would be bad enough, but read on:

We have tiny garden with a strip of concrete which he normally "goes" on, then what was a lawn but is now just a large rug sized patch of mud, needs to be dug up and paved next Summer. Anyway, the amount of stuff he was passing hour after hour, the small "poo" area and then the muddy bit got overwhelmed, there was no where to put his paws down, so DH got out the hose and the Jeyes fluid to do a little cleaning. Only he didn't do a little cleaning. In that tiny area, he used half a bottle of Jeyes. The smell is still sickening 5 days later, and its leeched into the mud so now when the dog goes out there he gets covered in it. I've been wiping his paws with baby wipes etc., but the smell on the dog is terrible - my poor baby is so sick and now this. To top it off, he's been out there again tonight and pooed all over himself, its in his thick paw fur deep in the pads along with the Jeyes and the mud.

Can I just make clear he was very ill before the Jeyes, for months, and has not got any worse since, but it can't be helping. Its the only place he has to poo (well, pass mucus) - but apparently Jeyes stays in the soil and doesn't break down. I am thinking I could call the manufacturers tomorrow and ask for help, basically DH was an idiot. How can I put this right?

You really can't let your dog go out there to toilet. You need to find an alternative place until the Jeyes fluid is sorted. Even if that is on a puppy pad by the back door to be rolled up and dumped every time he goes.

And sorry, but you need to clear up every time your dog poos, even if it's mucus every five minutes, not leave it until the garden is 'overwhelmed' and there is 'nowhere to put his paws down' because that is just disgusting and sending a dog out to poo in that is neglectful.

There's nothing to "pick up" its not something you can physically get hold of, and not sure if it read very well but I was explaining this will happen within a few hours overnight. We've been taking time off work and working from home so as to get up with him every hour or so, its not ideal to leave it till daylight I know but are you saying we should have used the hose every hour throughout the night? This happens night after night as well, very rare we get a night off.

He can't go on a puppy pad - he needs to walk round and round in circles over and over again as this stuff runs out of him

I have to get some sleep now as its my "turn" to be up with him tonight but I'll ring the Jeyes people tomorrow and see if there is any way to neutralise it. We are expecting some more rain in this area towards the end of the week but that doesn't help much now.

There is a problem with Jeyes, I understand, even with small amounts. Can you not take him outside of your garden? Have his samples been tested? I feel for you, this sounds horrific, hope poor baby is better soon.

Try a second vet. Your dog sounds very ill. Poor thing.

As for the Jeyes. Can you not just hose it all down?

I agree that you need to take him to another vet.

In the meantime you could try giving him slippery elm bark powder - it is totally safe and works by lining and soothing the digestive tract. It also firms up stools. We found it a godsend with our dog who had colitis for years.

You mix the powder with boiling water to a mucous type consistency (being truthful it looks disgusting!) and then mix with food.

Obviously your dog needs to be seen by a vet but the slippery elm isn't going to do any harm and could help a lot.

Have a Google for slippery elm, colitis and dogs. There's loads of helpful info out there.

Good luck - I know how upsetting colitis is for both dog and owner.

If you can, block the mud patch. According to this forum a customer was advised that it takes 6 weeks to break down in soil.

Then you can hose and scrub the concrete patch with a yard brush, but don't allow the dog to walk on the area until it is dry (difficult in winter, I know).

If he's trekking through it I would hose (or use a bucket to swill) it away at night. That said I absolutely apologise for using the word neglectful, it sounds as though you really are doing as much as you can.

I also think that you need a new vet. One of my dogs allegedly had a recurring uti. The vet had done dip tests and bloods etc. After eight months (been with them years, trusted them) of antibiotics and painkillers I took her to another vet for a second opinion.

Ten hours, an ultrasound and various scans later I got a phone call. She had bladder cancer. With treatment she was pain free for another year. I never went back to my original vet.

Jayes is horribly, horribly corrosive if it's not used in the correct way. You really need to do something to put it right. Even if it's to turn the mud over and cover with new top soil in the short term.

However, I am more concerned about how ill your dog is. That can't go on.

What medication is he currently on? What has he had so far? What are you feeding him? What has the vet suggested about the infected anal glands? Are any of his siblings affected by the same thing?

Thank you all for your kind replies. I'm having a few tears this morning - maybe because I was up in the night again. I washed his paws in the handbasin (he's small enough to fit) at 1am, was up 2.30am with him having diahorrea and again at 4.30am - that's not too bad compared to some nights but I feel utterly sick with worry and tiredness.

Ok so we've covered the main muddy bit with a tarpaulin. He still seems to be accessing mud somewhere (he loves mud) so I need to investigate. DH is coming home early today to get the hose out and have another go with water.

I've rung the vet and cancelled the full biopsy for Monday - everyone keeps telling me how dangerous it is and I have no real idea what the vet expects to find by undertaking it despite seeing him a couple of times to discuss it - you know those times when you come out thinking "hang on, what just happened?" - I've made an appointment to see him and say we want either a second opinion or a referral to a specialist.

Just to answer some queries, he's had 3 lots of fecal tests, and 4 different types of antibiotics, the probiotic paste and 2 lots of steroids, since early October. He's just on boiled chicken as he won't eat anything else and apparently if he goes without food it makes the colitis more painful. We've tried all sorts before including fish, rabbit, prescription foods from vet. The anal glands we have a special cream and that's being reviewed this week in the hope that we can at get that under control.

I've spoken to people whose dogs have had colitis but never anyone who didn't get it resolved within a few weeks - that's what is worrying me, I can't see an end to it. With google slippery elm and look at links.

Really need your support now people [we need a desperate emoticon on the list down there]

Sounds like you have made the right decision re further investigations with a more specialist vet . Our dog only has access to the patio and we keep a watering can of diluted dettol / yard brush to wash down after we have picked up any poo , it smells much better than Jeyes . I assume you have had the dog clipped really short to minimise mess on paws/fur . Hope you get to the bottom of the problem ,it sounds like a complete nightmare.

Sometimes it can be a nightmare with vets and it can be difficult finding a vet who has some kind of answers to your particular problem. You don't need to ask to get a second opinion. You just call a different vet and make an appointment. Different vets will have different specialities and will have come across different things. I hope you find the right help and support soon. You poor thing. What a wretched time for all of you.

Floral - the vet shaved his bum hole!!

I'd shave all of him ! ( I'm a mean doggy mum mines only ever allowed 6 weeks hair growth)

I could consider referral to a specialist rather than just a second opinion? Assume that would mean going to a vetinary hospital?

My goodness you poor thing - you must be exhausted with lack of sleep and worry.

There are several things you can do and I am surprised your vet has not suggested them.

Although from personal experience I do know how hard it is to find a solution to this with dogs - I think vets must hate this sort of case but still a solution needs to be found.

Can you ask your vet what he has ticked off the list re causes and what he is still looking for.

Boiled chicken is not working if your dog is still having the symptoms. (quite a lot of dogs are allergic to chicken) I am a raw feeder but do see the value in special diets. What prescription diets have you tried ? Purina HA for example is very different from Science Diet ID so there may still be one out there that can help sort term. They are expensive but they may give you a bit of respite.

Do get a second opinion asap - do also stress the impact that this is having on your life and your dogs - this is no way for either of you to live.

Jeyes is toxic to dog so there are better things to use eg Total care biological stain and odour remover.

I would also cut his hair a bit to make it easier for you. there is a trouser cut you could ask a groomer to do it for you - it allows a bit more room so he should not soil himself so much but still will give him decent leg coverage of fur Poor little chap.

When are you next seeing your vet - if you have no joy pm and I can help to find a vet in your area that may be able to give another view.

I hope things improve soon for you all

Thank you mutty - prescription diets - hmm, one in a tin the vet prescribed but I can't recall what it was. Didn't work. Vet is recommending something like Hills starting this week?

The allergy tests came up with things like tomato and carrot, so not much help there. The bum shave did the trick but he still steps in the copious mucus from time to time. DH came home early and hosed entire garden as recommended by Jeyes themselves, he'll do it again every day now.

Vet is saying not cancer, not pancreas, dog has had 3 fecal tests and lots of bloods. I went back today, they gave me more antibiotics, an injection, changed steroid dose, and cancelled op for Monday. Am going in again 6pm Friday to discuss and get new food. I think I want a referral to a specialist not a second opinion (from another vet) but I googled and it seems that the referral centre in Kent (for we are there) is closed down?! Odd.

I am at work tomorrow, DH stays home (we have a rota so we can stay with him) so I get to sleep tonight - well, I get to stay in bed, DH goes down and opens door and then I still have to get up and clean his paws just in case. Bit like when your husband brings you the baby to bottle feed ...

I really feel for you, it must be incredibly stressful even without the garden issues. I would strongly suggest going to a Veterinary Hospital, not another vets for a 2nd opinion. My dog was very, very poorly and had weeks of tests/Meds at our vets but they couldn't help her/diagnose the problem. She was eventually referred to the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire & on the first visit they were able to diagnose my dogs condition. Good luck.

Sorry I forgot to say, I don't think your vet needs to refer you to a veterinary hospital. Might be worth giving your local one a call to check though (if you do go down this route). I cannot recommend the RVC highly enough.

What about North Downs Specialist Referrals in Bletchingley? I've been there with various dogs.

Try laying down gravel/ sand in the muddy patch, then I'd just lift the mess he leaves with a small spade and throw it in a poo bag.
Hope you find an answer, must be very distressing.

Have you had any blood work done? I am thinking of inflammatory markers such as ESR or C-Reactive protein levels.

Thanks to all new posters. I've found a referral centre in Essex (we are in Kent) which is half an hour away - we would like to be able to drive there easily so he is not more stressed. Jeyes smell has gone, I am thinking that's a good sign.

Vet called yesterday and asked me to pick up some new meds - a combination of steroids and antibiotics - which we began in the evening - so far he seems slightly better in that he hasn't had diahorrea and slept through last night, but we've had these "one day" miracles before and they don't last - still, was nice to sleep through! He's had all the blood work done shadow - initially in October test showed he had an infection similar to E-coli, but that's long gone now.

Seeing vet again Friday evening. He said would we consider an endoscopy instead of the dreaded biopsy.

I would just ask to be referred tbh rather than let him talk you into doing more there. I can't remember if you said he was insured or not, but either way I'd save the funding you do have for the referral centre. Costs a small fortune just to walk through the door in these places (and for good reason!) Hope you get him sorted for all your sakes.

How are you getting on, BurningBridges? I hope you have seen some improvement are on the way to getting answers.

Thanks for asking. We tried various combinations of drugs last week and eventually, Thursday, he seemed ok and slept through the night (just as well as immediately DD was ill and up till 3am Weds/Thurs )

We talked to vet about the referral centre, and he said they will probably want to do the same biopsy but he will organise appointment whenever we like. We can't afford to have the biopsy done at RC, we could only afford imaging and advice - if they do then say yes we still need biopsy, we will have to save up.

Vet showed me some diagrams and pictures of what would happen in the op, and told me about the headline 3 conditions he thinks dog might have - all need different treatment - and these cannot be diagnosed with endoscopy. So I am veering towards full biopsy.

Jeyes is gone, DH hosed it down then we had a lot of rain, its all clear now thank god and garden is clear as now dog is hardly going at all - maybe once a day on a walk.

So we are in a lull so as to speak. Vet is going to find some studies on the procedure and hopefully prove its as safe as possible. I still want someone to wave a magic wand and make it not necessary but I am beginning to believe there is no choice.