Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Question by Terri H: Does anyone have experience with thyroid medication to help their dog who has an under-active thyroid?
My 12 year old female Sheltie was diagnosed through a blood test to have under-active thyroid. Blood work determined Logan’s thyroid number to be 0.5. Normal range is 1.1 to 4.0. She will start the med when it arrives in the mail. I forgot to ask what the med’s name is. Anyway……for those of you who have experience with thyroid med in a dog what improvements did you notice in your dog, and how fast did you notice improvements?

Symptoms Logan has been experiencing are weight gain, lethargic, deafness, confusion, sleeping so soundly that it is difficult to awaken her, lack of physical activity she used to enjoy, short-tempered, and perhaps chronic infections of the bowel. She is being treated for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and takes an antibiotic daily for this condition since late fall. The vet did not mention IBS as a symptom of thyroid problems. I read about it on-line.

Any advice or positive comments will be greatly appreciated.
I did not self-treat. She was diagnosed with the IBS by the same vet in the fall. He prescribed the antibiotic to treat that. I was surprised to read that one side-effect to under-active thyroid is gastrointestinal=vomiting and diarrhea which Logan had been experiencing on and off since July.

Yes, I agree with old age. That is what I thought until she went to the vet this past Sat. I thought she had a mini-stroke Christmas time. I was surprised when he suspected thyroid.

Thanks for your help.

Best answer:

Answer by Dog Section Regular
I would not believe everything you read online. You should not self treat without the knowledge and support of your Vet.

The symptoms you mention sound more like old age. Of course, you obviously had the dog tested, so a thyroid issue is obviously an issue going on here.

The IBS could just be old age, not necessarily related to the Hypothyroidism.

Good luck, I hope your dog gets better!

** I have had the same issue with my elderly cat. Vomiting, constant, bloody diarrhea, bloated belly, coat color change. Vet suspected IBS, but nothing helped. It’s not a pretty thing to deal with, I know. I may not have experienced your exact situation, but I know how you feel. I misunderstood about the “self treating,” I read your question wrong, sorry.

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Question by L: Best over the counter medication for IBS?
I have been having stomach issues for the past three months (Painful cramps and gas, diarrhea, and extreme bloating) and I think I may have IBS. I have not been diagnosed because I have yet to see a doctor. I am in college and don’t have a permanent doctor right now, but I have done a lot of research on my symptons and they all seem to be explained by irritable bowel syndrome.

I was wondering which over the counter medication would be best for treating my symptons especially those of bloating and cramps. I’d heard of Avon’s “Flat Stomach” and Digestive Advantage. Does anyone know which is best?

Best answer:

Answer by work-from-home-mom
There are many people who got great results from taking the Reliv Nutritional Supplements. They are all natural and helps the body to heal itself.
I can connect you with other ladies who had IBS and have had tremendously wonderful results.
All the best

Contact:
Dian
416-477-9858
LifeMadeRich@mail.com

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Question by Candy Cane: Have the side-effects of your medication (mental/physical illness) prevented you from performing daily tasks?
Sometimes, I get put on medications that make me sleepy, have stomach pains, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, nausea. etc. I NEED this medication. Antidepressants & anti-anxiety/OCD, & Tourette’s medications. 1 time, I got fired for sleeping on the job, & the boss didn’t care about my medication side effects.

Also, the drowsiness would make me oversleep, miss school, fail a test, fighting to stay awake, etc. I have my BA in Spanish, & my Vocational Rehab. counselor refuses to help me, & she closed my case behind my back without telling me. I made a grievance, & the grievance lady agreed with the counselor. I want to work, but my disability & medications, & people discriminating & pre-judging, are ALL what’s holding me back from getting a job. Also lack of transportation. & I can’t take just any job. My disability may be mental, but I need special accommodations to work alone in a quiet office or something, since I get distracted easily & have trouble concentrating & focusing.

I feel so hopeless right now. What can I do? I can’t stand on my feet past 30 minutes, & I can’t work in noisy environments. I have some computer skills, & whatever skills I don’t have, I can go back & learn it. I’m brushing up on my Spanish skills & trying to learn French, as well.

Best answer:

Answer by Gardener for God (formerly dmd)
I look forwaard to viewing any substanced answers you may receive. My son has very similar disabilities, nearly identical. He is only in Jr. High – but it will help me to gain insight of what we may face.

I have to wonder – did they take you off of disabilitiy via government? Where you on disability via the gorvernment? You sound as if you should be eligable – AND – you would be able to make an additional amount of money in working aside from this program.

With regards to your disabilities – you do not have to tell your disabilities in the interview process I believe and with regards to being fired for being late or absent, sleepy, etc. because of your issues, I don’t believe they can give you a bad reference for it. There is possibility that they are in error for terminating your job due to it as well as if they give you a bad reference for it – a possible legal action could be taken I believe. The best thing you should do is to contact a disability lawyer and ask these very things and find out where you stand and what they are allowed to do. There ARE laws as to what they can tell about you as a reference and also as to what they can even ask you in an interview.

Once hired – there are also laws that say your employer must accomodate your disabilities.

It has been a good 8 years since I worked in Human Resources, so there may have been new or changed laws to take effect. Go to a disability lawyer to get informed and/or also, find a job coach to help – they are very well versed in employment law and could also be a great help for you.

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Question by ccr152: my dog keeps pooping in the house. is there any medication that could help?
maybe she’s developed canine irritable bowel syndrome. she is pretty old, and the wiring might just not be working, but she seems to be alright in most other departments. any advice would help her and the family. thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by sarah
is she new to your home? is her routine thrown off? have you switched her to a senior diet yet?

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Question by j’adore29: How can I deal with Irritable Bowel Syndrome without medication?
Since I was little I had issues with my stomach, now at age 18, in the past few years its been getting worse. And I just found out my long time backache and headaches could be due to IBS, I havent been diagnosed officially (going to doctor next week) but I know Ill be put on medication.

And I dont want to be put on it! I hate medication! And my IBS symptoms arent as frequent as usual so I feel like I dont need it! Any natural remedies? Diet changes?

Best answer:

Answer by Jen
Try homeopathy – I understand it can help alot with this problem. You have to find a qualified homeopath who will do a thorough interview after which they will make a remedy recommendation. It is natural and causes no side effects and inexpensive – and totally safe. It has changed my life and it may help you too. Good luck!

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