Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 3/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Maria,

My, soon to be, 3 year old bully Marley has had so many problems I don't even know where to begin.  The biggest issue lately is he had to go on prednisone for severe allergies about 8 months ago (he's actually been on prednisone twice in the last year) and his digestive track has not recovered.  He's on Natural Balance allergy formula food - fish and sweet potato.  He's so constipated that the vet has performed 3 enemas in the last 3 weeks.

The vet did an xray and said his colon was stretched 3 times the size it should be.  He is currently on lactulose and cisipride to help his colon work with him.  The lactulose seemed to work intermittently, but he's back to not being able to go to the bathroom.  I've tried salmon oil, canned pumpkin, wet food... everything they've told me to do, but he's not eliminating, lethargic and not himself.

They suggested changing his food again, which I can, but he has bad environmental and food allergies so I need to be careful.  He also has had problems with grand- mal seizures.  He will seize for 3-5 mins three times in a row.    

My apologies for the information overload.  I'm trying to save my boy and do right by him.  I really want to get him healthy and everything I've tried has not worked.

Thank you kindly for your help and guidance!  We really appreciate it!!


ANSWER: Hi - I would love to help you two!  Please give me more info -

What is your baby eating now: and what foods have you used in the past 6 months.
What are you giving for the seizure activity?  What has the vet tried in the recent past?
Please give me a list of every medication he is taking now.
How often does he have the grand mal seizures?


GET back to me today!!!!

Marie Peppers LPN MA
ask the Pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Marie,

He eats Natural Balance Allergy Formula - Fish and Sweet Potato.  He's been on that food strictly for the past 6 months.  The vet did have me add organic yogurt (plain) to his food to get him to produce stool.  He also gets carrots, blueberries, Wellness brand beef - no grain - treats.  His diet is pretty limited with his allergies.  No grains, no chicken, etc.  

He isn't on medicine for the seizures.  He was only a little over a year when he started having them so they opted not to put him on meds.  They gave me Diazepam (5mg/ml) to inject rectally if he seizes until the seizures stop.  Thankfully it appears he's "grown" out of them.  I believe, and the vet disagrees with me, that Marley had an allergic reaction to a medicine.  Every time they put him on a certain medication he seized.  He has not had a seizure since.  

His biggest issue right now is his colon isn't functioning properly.  They put him on steroids for his allergies and now he can't eliminate on his own.  He is severely constipated.  The vet keeps doing enemas but they don't seem to be working.  He suggested removing half of his colon through surgery but then said that it wouldn't be effective.  He's on Cisapride - 5mg twice a day for 5 days and Lactulose - 4ml 3x's daily, but they want to increase the dose to 6ml to see if that helps.  They also want to increase the enema      frequency.  His body isn't tolerating all of this.  He's lethargic and this week I had to rush him in because he could not stop vomiting.  He was dehydrated.  

He's still really lethargic and not interested in food.  Today was the first day he's wanted water.  

Please let me know if you need additional information.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us!!!  

Answer
Hi - I sure hope that I can help you...!!!!
I Was on the STUDY before Cisapride became a legal drug in the USA.  It started for Human children that were on REGLAN for the belly.
It seems like so long ago...WE did not even have a name for it as it was experimental and called a Number.
It is a very good product and I think your bullie should take it long term....IT does wonders.   NOW as for the Lactulose, again I understand why your baby needs this drug....IN time, I would like to see it decreased if possible.

Here is what I suggest :  The number one item is SO easy - and I hope he is not allergic to it:  YOU can try one or the other:
1.  Metamucil Cookie - 1 apple cooking in the am and 1 in the PM
or
2.  Metamucil powder / flavor free - 1 teaspoon in the am and 1 in the pm - mixed well into some pumpkin ( NO sugar added pumpkin)
MOST dogs love the Metamucil cookie - they come in ? 12 to a box?

 **** Make food changes - slowly .......
a 50:50 mix of old and new for 2 weeks - see below:

******************** NEXT - Food:  *************************

I bet your baby will LOVE SoJO grain free home cooking-
this is like Hamburger helper/ grain free - for your dogs or cats...
YES - they do make a grain free - YOU just add the lightly cooked meat... Here is the ingredients:
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse

The grain-free alternative to kibble, Sojos Grain-Free Dog Food Mix (formerly known as Sojos Europa) is a wholesome pre-mix that you combine with meat and water to create a fresh, homemade dog food. Sojos Grain-Free works great for dogs with sensitivities to grains.

Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, Apples, Whole Egg, Flax Meal, Parsley Leaf, Calcium Carbonate, Carob Powder, Kelp Powder, Alfalfa, Ginger Root, Garlic


The link above will bring you to the SoJO Site - They offer free shipping to anyone in the USA.  MY maltese loves her sojo cooking / it is Almost home-cooking with a LITTLE help from SoJO...

He may get his appetite back and not need all the medications..
Down the road you may be able to reduce the medications....
****************************************

Last - NuVET will increase his appetite and bring back a JUMP in his step and energy levels - WE have had such great results in dogs that were looking very lethargic and ill....
It is all natural and sure worth a try!
NO harsh drugs and VERY safe: They give you a 60 day money back guarantee on the NuVET wafers.
JUST 1 wafer per day will help with his digestion, too.
Call JOAN and tell her Marie from All Experts sent you:
JOAN is Wonderful....If she is not there all the gals are nice and can answer your questions....
CALL 1-800-474-7044 ( ask for Joan Harris, if she is available)
Here is the ingredients of NuVET:

Major considerations in formulating NuVet Plus™ were the human grade quality of ingredients and their nutritional values, as well as the bio digestibility and utilization into the cellular framework. We also considered the chemicals and toxins that find their way into our animals' food. NuVet Plus™ was formulated to combat these harmful pollutants. NuVet Labs™ has designed a cutting edge formula that we believe will help increase your pets longevity and quality of life. Our scientists performed extensive research and experiments with a variety of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and herbs, until they created NuVet Plus™, which provides a powerful synergistic defense against the harm caused by free radicals.

NuVet Plus™ for Canines and Felines Ingredient List:


Alfalfa (Canine formula only)
Alpha Amylase
Amino Acids

Beta Carotene
Blue Green Algae
Brewer's Yeast
Cat's Claw
Chicken Liver

Copper

Evening Primrose Oil
Iron
L Methionine
Magnesium
Manganese

Oyster Shell
Papain
Phosphorus

Pine Bark

Potassium

Selenium (Yeast)
Shark Cartilage
Taurine (Feline formula only)
Vitamin A
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C (Ester C™)

Vitamin E
Whey Protein (Feline formula only)
Zinc


You can also see Nuvet here:  JUST make sure you call in the first order.... to the above number:
The secure site is here:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
USE my name as your VET or Pet Prof - Marie Peppers / Ask the Pet Nurse of All Experts....

a 60 count bottle is 39.00
a 90 count "  "      55.00
Give them ORDER CODE 81098 and ASK about the 15% Off program.




I sure help with the Metamucil, SoJO Food - and the NuVET - your baby will be better.... Hope you will be able to stop the enemas soon and go ALL natural for expelling his bowel.
POOR kid -
He has the bowel of someone who has NO nerves and muscle or sluggish muscle control.

I know metamucil will help - If he is not allergic to it.
OH< ******** the NuVET helps to build the immune system and helps to fight off allergies...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep me posted at my private e-mail

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html