找尋一個永久的家大行動 ：可愛男生“MICHAEL”

Michael 是一名混血兒，有著狼狗威武的樣子，唐狗溫順的性格。

3年前，姐姐把當時仍然是BB仔的他從垃圾堆中救出來，一直把他收留教他家居禮儀。他性格溫馴、斯文、親人、可以和狗狗相處。 ｢猫朋狗友行動派｣ 的義工第一次去到姐姐的家時，Michael便已經很黏身，黏著哥哥姐姐們要摸摸及錫錫，是義工們眼中的可愛男生。

由於姐姐的家同時已經收留了二十多隻狗狗和二十多隻貓貓，有一些已經年老又或傷殘。她一心希望把身體健康的BB們教好後就有人可以領養他們，讓他們有一個永久的家。而同時間，姐姐就可以騰出空間讓她再去拯救其他仍在街上的浪浪。

Michael 現時已經3歲，已絕育，身體健康。他的性格及家居禮儀居家習慣已經可以容許他入室了。你喜歡他嗎？你願意給他一個永久的家、給他一生的幸福嗎？

領養Michael不需要費用，但你必須承諾無論日曬雨淋，富貴貧窮，對他不離不棄，照顧他終老。你住的地方必須可以容納他，如果有人對他有意見，你要陪著他守著他，不可遺棄他。他會病，會老，無論疾病痛苦你都要照顧他。你必須定期接受家訪讓義工們放心把 Michael 留在你的家。

如你對領養 MICHAEL有興趣，

請聯絡 FACEBOOK 的 ｢猫朋狗友行動派｣ 或 

WHATSAPP義工：劉小姐 9480 5134。

狗狗被丟掉的心情。。。

資料來源：LIFE 生活採集

大寶小寶尋家

昨日，我終於都親眼見到生活在一個連屋主都唔會返去的廢墟入面住的大寶同小寶喇。

佢地兩個的生活環境好差，雖然義工每日都有去餵佢地，亦同屋主聯繫過，但屋主依然不理他們的死活，把他們留在那裡，生活環境極度惡劣。
 
佢地超乖，我們一行四人走過去，他們吠都沒有吠我們一聲。可能已經認到每天餵食的義工，知道世界上對佢地最好的人終於都來到了。。。
 
我第一次見佢，把手輕輕從鐵絲網的小孔伸進去，他們好斯文咁會聞下。然後我們就把兩兜糧放下，看著他們狼吞苦嚥。。。
 
主人不介意他們不存在的。因此，我們是極度希望可以幫佢地搵到一個肯對佢地承諾一生不棄的好人家，等佢地可以早日逃出生天，讓他們在短短的狗生之中，能夠享受一下人間有情。
 
你，可以給他們一個家嗎?

大寶小寶既故事： 

我地平時就係係lee 個廢墟生活， 有d 餸頭餸尾食， 如果落雨， d 野食就會臭， 但肚餓， 我地都繼續食， lee 個廢墟雖然爛， 但係已經係我地唯一避風避雨既地方！ 唯一感受温暖既地方！

大寶小寶TNR 絕育後放回既地方係一個充滿玻璃碎片， 鋼絲既廢墟！每日有餐無餐， 就黎夏天，附近又臭又多垃圾，又多蚊，又多老鼠，義工Jason 同太太每日去餵佢地都感到非常心痛， 生怕佢地生活環境太危險。 

而最近，義工餵食時發覺大小寶都唔鐘意留係廢墟，鐘意走出來等義工哥哥姐姐餵食，這舉動令我地更擔心， 雖然廢墟環境好差， 但至少唔會被漁處捉！只怕有一天， 我地再見唔到兩姊妹等餵食既乖乖樣！只怕有一日去到， 只見到空空如也的廢墟！ 心突然好痛好痛！ 大小寶佢地好乖， 只係唔好彩…

佢地生活環變得唔安全， 雖然我地知道太難太難， 但我地願意一試， 為佢地lee對乖寶貝尋家！ 兩個都係女仔， 已絕育！ 大家願意比個機會佢地嗎， 佢地不比名種狗靚， 但一定比名種狗乖！ 會愛你一生一世！ 

我地每晚最歡樂既時光係等jason 哥哥餵我地食野既一刻！ 哥哥好錫我地，佢想幫我地揾屋企， 但係我地只係唐唐， 會有人唔嫌棄我地， 會錫我地嗎， 可以比個家我地嗎？
 
有意帶佢地返屋企請whatapp 楊小姐 6016 8044 / 聯絡 猫朋狗友行動派 義工。

漁農自然護理署？

上星期五，三月二十八日，上午九時半，漁農自然護理署，俗稱漁記，在九龍灣觀塘道天橋啟業村入口捉了五隻流浪狗，其中一隻被漁記用索脅勒頸，吊至半空，再撻落地。當時正值上班時間，很多途人見狀均流淚喝斥這個政府部門的人員殘暴。

他們，政府的有關部門，就是這樣對待流浪狗，簡直可以用憎恨來形容。

我們這裡有一個　｢合法｣　虐待動物的政府部門，我們沒有人可以管束他們，他們就是法律！要立法的是他們！要修法的是他們！要發牌的是他們！不監管任由違規行為出現的都是他們！現在每日每夜被記者市民日日拍到見到喝到虐待流浪動物的都是他們！

政府人員，公僕，我們納的稅聘請他們虐待動物，教懂市民怎樣虐待流浪動物！ 

我們作為星斗市民還有什麼能耐說教育？我們説什麼動物福利？我們還贊什麼成，反什麼對什麼修改法例？政府做什麼139B假咨詢？說什麼牌規管繁殖者呢？！

不如我們先告他們虐待動物，看看法官怎做再說吧！

今日已知，上述所說的四隻流浪狗已被人道毀滅，義工只能救回最後一隻，下圖黑色的那一隻。。。

以下是拯救仔仔的義工的憶述，希望大家花一點時間閱讀，萬分感謝。。。

｢仔仔，在三月二十八日，一家五口於啟業邨被漁獲施以極度殘暴手法捉走。三月三十日星期一，我們從漁護署成功將他救出來,他逃過鬼門關，至於他的四位爸爸、媽媽及兄弟姊妹，相信已被人道。
仔仔出來時，像經歷了一場災劫。從漁護署出來後，義工攬著他，他很像感受到人類的溫暖了。但最最悲慘的是，他不知道家人已全部被殺。當我們叫他一起走了，牠只是一直站著，望著背後的方向，他沒有wow一聲，只是一直站著，望著，以為家人也會像他一樣，和他一起出來。。。
我此生也未見過如此傷痛的場面，當人面對著生離死別，動物何嘗不是呢？
最後，我們安慰仔仔，仔仔肯離開了，但他在車上不停走向窗口，一直向著漁護署的方向回望，他眼神迷茫，他的家人如何了？當時，仔仔踏著我的大脾，我十分恐懼，我較少接觸大狗，當時我真的害怕半邊面給仔仔咬掉了，但仔仔只是很淡定地踏著我的大脾，我才放下我的恐懼。。。
我和義工立即買狗籠、狗糧、front line，終於回家了，他很快已和其他狗熟絡，但牠仍是愁眉不展。我們告訴牠，＂你回到家了，不用再害怕啦＂。他隨即露出第一個笑容，不停搖擺著尾巴。這刻我感動得留下幾顆眼淚，但他可能永遠也不知道一個殘酷的事實。。。
人類，為甚麼要這麼殘忍，造成無數的動物家破人亡？是我們的智慧，令到我們做了很多傷天害理的事情，那我寧願不要這種智慧，我要的是那種擇善固執，擇其善者而從之，不要枉生為人。（PS 此刻我相信,狗是有很高靈性的動物,人類也要向動物學習!!!!!!）

仔仔：黑色唐狗，成犬，約三歲，男，安靜温順，昨天剛從漁記救回，乖巧聰明。現尋求有心人領養。有心領養人士請到面書ＰＯ文找：猫朋狗友行動派 

十二夜：還有明天嗎？

今天想分享一篇由老師 Rosina Maria Aquati 的 Animal Talk 之四月份會訊內載的一篇文章。是有關明天，四月三日在香港上映的 ｢十二夜｣ 的介紹。到目前為止，大家見到的推文已經很多很多，但仍然知道有好多朋友會因為｢怕｣，而選擇不看。

領養不棄養，是電影十二夜想表達的訊息。 

真心的希望大家不要因為自己的心理恐懼而放棄看這套電影。試想想，如果你單單看TRAILER 已經感受到那一份恐懼的話，那在收容所的可憐的、無辜的、沒有犯事而被判死刑的、因為變得不可愛被遺棄的動物們、因為老了病了而被放棄的生命們，他們每天等待著死神來臨的一刻，是那麼的惶恐不安。。。

。。。可能你會哭兩個小時，

可能你會一個星期鬱鬱不歡。。。

但，我們仍然堅信愛毛孩的你們，珍惜生命的你們，必須要看，原因，就是。。。

因為我們首先需要知道真相，

才能動之以情的用心去幫助他們，

去勸導身邊的人。。。

當我們一直對別人說不要棄養、一直在面書罵那些始亂終棄的人、那些威脅要把自己不再愛的毛孩送進收容所的人、那些搬家沒有把毛孩算進成員的人、那些找人來捕捉流浪動物的人，我們知不知道為什麼我們要罵他們，我們怎樣告訴他們棄養、捕捉的後果？

如果連真心愛毛孩的、尊重生命的、對他們承諾過一生一世的我們，都不肯為了宣揚不要棄養這訊息走出這一小步去了解去感受的話，我們又怎會有說服力去叫別人不要棄養，感動他們，讓他們收回成命，領回自己的動物，找一個能容納毛孩的居所，甚至有能力的領更多無家的動物回來呢。。。

不要再恐懼吧。為了他們的將來，可能你會哭兩個小時，可能你會一個星期鬱鬱不歡，但，過了這一個階段之後，你們親身用眼睛用心去感受過這傷口的痛之後，你就可以更有說服力地去勸導那些不甚愛他們的人、遺棄他們的人、傷害他們的人，去尊重生命。

這兩個小時哭，這一個星期的痛，在我們生命之中的五六十年，甚至七八十年的生命裡算得是什麼？還有什麼需要怕呢？。。。

為了他們的將來，

不要再怕哭不要再怕傷感了，

請勇敢的走出你的第一步吧～ 

－－－－－－－－－－

還有明天嗎？

Will there be a tomorrow?

Author : Lolita Yiu  

Translation : English Translation by Willa Wong 英文翻譯 - 王韋娜

 

台灣出品的電影「十二夜」即將在香港上映。內容是講述台灣流浪狗一經被送到收容所，牠們的生命將會有十二個晚上在倒數，如果這段期間沒有被領養，牠們的命運就只有安樂死！而香港，一但被漁農處捕捉，就只有四天（三夜）。原來我們對動物的包容力，就只能做到台灣的四分之一。聽聞因這套電影，台灣已延長了十二夜的期限，而我們(香港)呢？在大都會的人們只會看見經濟的起飛，卻看不見良知何在。

The Taiwanese movie "Twelve Nights" will be released in Hong Kong soon. The story depicts the fate of the stray dogs in Taiwan, once they are captured and sent to the animal shelters, they are facing a twelve-night euthanasia countdown if they are not reclaimed or adopted! Yet in Hong Kong, animals caught by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department are left with only a four-day (three-night) fatal countdown to their destiny. Our tolerance level for these little ones is merely one quarter of what the Taiwanese can bear. Heard that the twelve-night deadline has been extended in Taiwan as a result of the movie, and what about us (Hong Kong)? In metropolis, people are flying high with the economies take-off and unfortunately, leaving their consciences behind. 

 

你們願意聽聽牠們的聲音嗎？在生命倒數的三個晚上，讓我們感受牠們的所思所想⋯

Would you like to listen to their voices? In the three-night countdown destiny, let us all hear and undergo their thoughts...

"我不想流浪，但沒辦法。我肚餓，但仍活著，難道我流浪就不能生存嗎？連這卑微的要求也不能嗎？為什麼？我只是瑟縮在街頭的一角，你們也不能容得下我嗎？

"I never want to be homeless but I truly have no other choices. I'm hungry but I'm still alive, and why can't I survive as a stray animal? Why can't you accommodate such a humble request from us? May I know why? I only take up a street corner of yours and why can't you spare me a little room for survival?

被拖進收容所的第一天，我怕得快瘋了，為什麼要帶我來這裏？這處是一條條的鐡枝包圍的，我被困在籠裏。這裏有數十隻不同類型的狗在一同悲鳴著，像是在問為什麼？像是在互相道別，像是在呼求救我，像是向我說：你也來這地獄陪我們吧？

On the first day at the animal shelter, I was frightened to death and kept doubting why I was brought here. Surrounded by the hard and rusty steel bars, I was locked up in a cage. There were dozens of us here, all crying and asking why? The groans were like making farewell to each others, desperately crying for help, and moaning about their destiny in a place like hell.

 

那夜，我沒有喊過一聲，因為已不懂喊，只懂怕。

That night, I did not cry at all as I was simply too terrified.

第二夜，開始知道自己的生命已在倒數。之前一晚還在我旁在呼叫的黃狗，今朝已被人㸱走了，小黃，你還活著嗎？

On the second night, I began to realize that I was counting down my days. The yellow dog which was howling next to me last night has been taken away by humans this morning, and I kept asking myself if he is still alive?  

我依舊瑟縮在籠裏的一角輕輕地悲鳴著，為什麼我會來到這裏？以前，我一直以為流浪在街上捱著餓是一件很倒霉的事，現在回想起，也不算什麼，這街角總比這籠角寬敞，至少，我沒有這種面對死亡的感覺，但我，不是還很年青嗎？我的生命不是這麼短暫的，是誰容許你們結束我的生命呢？

Curling up tight at a corner of the cage, I was weeping and wondering why I would end up here? I used to think wandering the streets and suffering from hunger were worst enough, but comparing to where I am now, being a stray animal is not as bad, the streets are much more roomier than the cage, and at least, I do not have to face the fear of death, after all I think I'm still young. My life shall not be this short and who allows you to end my life?

第三天，看見一些新來的小狗也像我第一天來的時候一樣驚徨失措。我不禁向牠們説：不用怕，有我們陪你渡過最後⋯我終於明白第一天來時牠們和我說的話。現在，我也向新來的小狗打過招呼，因為你們來，即代表我們要離去，我知道，很快，下個便是我了。我很想多活一天，但並不是在這裏，倒數著我的生命...

On the third day, there were more dogs being brought in and they looked just as terrified as I was the first day here. I couldn't help telling them not to be scared as I would accompany them to their final destiny... At the same time, I began to understand what other dogs were saying to me when I first got here. Similarly, I greeted the newcomers, and following their arrivals, I knew that I would have to leave real soon and I knew I'd be next. Desperately hoping to live another day, but not here, I know this is a countdown of my life...

這天，又一些狗被拖走，大家也不知道誰是下一個，只知道這裏是地獄，是一個等待死亡的地方，是誰令我待在這裏呢？

There were dogs being taken away on this day as well, we did not know who would be next, but we certainly thought it was like hell here, a place we all awaited for death, but who put us here?

主人，你知道我被關在這裏嗎？無數的日子我在街上徘徊，不敢離開被你遺棄我的地方，因怕你回來時找不到我。在漫長的等待裏我依然有盼望，但在這裡，只剩下絕望。

My dear papa, I wondered if you were aware that I was locked up here. There were numerous nights that I wandered the streets, didn't dare to leave the place where you left me as I was afraid that you couldn't find me when you returned. I saw hope despite the long wait for your return, but now and here, I felt nothing but despair.

最後一夜，我不禁回想起你與我一起的日子。我一直以為可幸運地遇上了你，我的一生便會幸福地渡過，但原來幸福是很短暫，而愛你的心卻是很漫長。自你離別那天，我的心從未把你忘記，直至現在，直至死亡。

On this last night of life, my mind was filled with memories of those days we spent together. I always thought I was so lucky to have met you and I would be living my life happily with you, but I never realize that my joyful days would last only for such a short period, yet my love for you stayed. Since the day you left me, I could not forget you, I knew I would never, not until now and not until the day I die.

第四天，大門再次打開，死亡的道路就在這扇門外嗎？可怕的頸套終於落在我的頸上，他們無情地把我㸱出去。我下意識地把爪按在冰冷的走廊上，越是想反抗，他們用的力越大，使頸被壓得像斷了一樣，我的心跳得很快，我知時候到了！

On the fourth day, the door opened, revealing the pathway to death. A horrifying collar was place on my neck, and the humans were mercilessly pulling me out of the door. In total fear, my heart was pounding fast that I did not know how to react but grabbing my feet tight on the cold hard floor along the corridor, the harder I struggled, the greater the force they used on me; my neck was hurting so bad as if it was about to break, I knew the time has come!   

主人，你會來救我嗎？可以見最後一面嗎？可以像從前一樣抱抱我嗎？我不怕死，只怕再見不到你！

Papa, would you come to rescue me? Could I see you one last time before I die? Could I get a hug from you? I was more afraid of not seeing you again than dying!

 

一支冰冷的針刺在我的身上，我感到無力，軟弱，內臓像裂開一樣，粉碎了一顆忠誠的心，這顆愛你的心，即將永遠消逝。主人，你要保重！我要走了！雖然我有一千萬個不願意，但我不能選擇，我的路從來都是你為我選擇的，由你第一天帶我回家開始，再由你遺棄我在街頭開始⋯

All of a sudden, I felt a cold needle injecting into my body and I was weaken and immobilized, the injection was cracking up my organs as well as my loyal heart, and my love for you would have to be vanished eternally. Please take good care of yourself as I have to go. Not matter how unwilling I was, I did not seem to have any other options; my destiny was laid in your hands, from the day you took me home to the moment you abandoned me on the street ...

閉上眼睛後，我還會有明天嗎？"

I closed my eyes, thinking if I would have a tomorrow?"

 

領養不棄養，是電影十二夜想表達的訊息。監製九把刀說希望能把溫暖的種子種在大家的心裏。這正是我的理念，我會一直寫下去，願播出的種子，有發芽成長的一天！

The movie "Twelve Nights" aims to advocate "Adopt, not abandon". Producer Giddens Ko (柯景騰，又名九把刀) said he would like to plant the seed of love into peoples' hearts. This is exactly the same belief and message I would like to promote, I will keep writing to spread the seeds of love, hoping the affection will grow one day!

地藏菩薩說過：「地獄不空，誓不成佛；眾生度盡，方證菩提。」而收容所正是動物們的人間地獄，我們要繼續為這個願望而努力！希望動物們再不需要被困進去等待死亡。不論人或動物，生命是無價的，那裏懂得尊重和愛惜生命，那裏便是天堂。

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha has once said, "I vow not to accomplish Buddhahood before the hells are emptied; I will only realize Bodhi when all living beings are saved." While these shelters are just like hell on earth for the animals, we have to continue our effort in saving them from agony! I hope the animals will no longer have to be caged in animal shelters and wait for their final countdown. Life is priceless for both human or animals, and wherever respect is esteemed and life is cherished, there lies our paradise. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Your Dog

Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Your Dog
Canine Chronic Diarrhea And Vomiting

Ron Hines DVM PhD

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease ?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a catch-all term. It is used to describe many conditions with similar signs but different causes. It can be quite confusing to owners and veterinarians alike because IBD is also called, Chronic Colitis, Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lymphocytic-plasmacytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Regional Enteritis, Granulomatous Enteritis or Spastic Bowel Syndrome depending on what symptoms predominate. Basically, any time your dogs intestine remains irritated over long periods of time, some form of IBD is present. The signs of intestinal parasites can be similar to IBD. The classification is too complicated for anyone to agree on. This always happens when several poorly understood diseases cause similar signs. If you got to this page and you are uncertain if your pet has IBD, go here.

To further confuse matters, Irritable Bowel Syndrome in dogs, a stress-caused problem in dogs with similar signs to IBD , is often confused with IBD.

Occasional intestinal and stomach disorders are very common in dogs . Most cases are caused by eating things your pet shouldn't - like spoiled foods, spicy treats, or trashcan waste. These usually cause a big mess and then correct themselves in a matter of days. But dogs with IBD have loose stools and diarrhea day after day.

In all forms of IBD, defense cells, accumulate in the walls of your pet's digestive system. Sometimes this occurs because the pet is consuming things that do not agree with it or shouldn't have been eaten. But just as frequently or more so, it is just that the pet's body defenses have gotten out of whack and are mistakenly attacking compounds in the intestine that are really not a threat to the dog.

What Happens In Inflammatory Bowel Disease ?

When things irritate the lining of your pet's intestine, they cause food to move through it faster. With time, this irritation causes the lining to thicken and become inflamed. Blood and tissue cells that normally fight bacteria and other invaders, accumulate within the lining of the inflamed intestines causing cramping, pain, colic, diarrhea and distress. These fragile intestines are more likely to bleed and they allow unhealthy intestinal organisms to proliferate and displace the healthy ones. These changes also make it harder for your pet to absorb nutrients from its food. When the beginning portions of the intestine are involved, the pet may also vomit or loose its appetite. When the final portions of the intestine are involved, the stool is loose, frequent, watery and sticky with mucus. Bright blood is often present when the lower intestine is involved (colitis).

These problems can be occasional or continuous. When they are continuous, pets often loose weight. It is also common for dogs with this condition to eat or chew on unusual items (pica) and it can be difficult to decide if pica is the cause or result of the problem.

Flatulence is also a common problem and so is a dull hair coat and heavy shed. When the lower intestine or colon is inflamed, the pet may strain and defecate more frequent, mucous-covered, stools.

Some types of IBD are genetic and are associated with certain breeds. The lymphocytic/plasmacytic form is one of these. It is most common in German Shepherd and Shar Pei dogs. Basenjis have their own form of the disease called immuno-proliferative IBD. Boxers suffer from a form called histiocytic ulcerative colitis while Irish setters have a wheat gluten-sensitive form of the disease.

The second most common form of IBD is Eosinophilic IBD. It tends to be more severe than the lymphocytic form, but it often gets better when diet changes are made. Eosinophils are blood cells involved in allergies - so food allergies are a suspected cause.

What Are The Signs Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease ?

The most common complaint is persistent loose stools, straining and diarrhea leading to accidents in the house. This occurs because the intestine is moving too fast and not given time to remove enough water from the things your dog ate. Irritation of the colon and anus causes the straining. We all know what that is like.

Dogs with this problem can also vomit. Some veterinarians include conditions that cause stomach irritation and vomiting in the IBD complex. I prefer to call those conditions gastritis . When vomiting occurs with IBD, it is due to inflammation in the upper small intestine just below the stomach. It is possible for a pet to have both conditions simultaneously.

Certain things hint as to what portion of the digestive tract is most inflamed. When vomiting and infrequent, bulky loose stools and weight loss predominate, we tend to think of a problem high in the intestine. When frequent smaller stools, straining, blood or mucus-flecked stools occur, we tend to think of a problem lower down in the intestines. Most often, a bit of both is occurring but one predominates.

Dogs with the high form may run low fevers. The may also have secondary bacterial intestinal infections. In general, pets with the high form of IBD look more ill.

Is One Breed Of Dog More Susseptible To IBD Than Another ?

A 2012 study of dogs with this problem in the UK found that weimaraners, rottweilers, German shepherds, boxers and border collies had a greater risk of developing IBD. Of those breeds, border collies tended to develope the problem at the oldest age. You can read that study here .

WHAT CAUSES INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE ?

The most common form of IBD in dogs is the lymphocytic/plasmacytic form (LPIBD). This describes the type of cells that pathologists see when they examine biopsies from the pet's intestine. Some of these cells are always there, but it is abnormal when they are found in large numbers. Since we rarely find anything present that should have drawn these cells to the area, we currently consider it similar to a false fire alarm. IBR is a common disease in humans, and physicians are just as stumped. When we find better treatments for pets, it will come through research designed to help humans with similar problems.

The second most common form of IBD is the form where pathologists see mainly eosinphils in unusually high numbers in the intestinal wall. These cases of Eosinophilic Inflammatory Bowel Disease are probably caused by food allergies. They can also be called food hypersensitivities. These are the cases where changing the protein sources in your pet's diet helps most. Some dogs are not really allergic to food ingredients that bother them. It is their inability to digest or absorb certain nutrients (maldigestion-malabsorption) that leads to intestinal upset every time they are exposed to the ingredient(s). This is sometimes called mal-assimilation syndrome as well.

Chronic intestinal infections with bacteria, fungi or protozoa can also cause chronic diarrheas. Although pets get better when given the correct antibiotics, they often have an underlying intestinal problem that gave the organisms the opportunity to get out of control. However, salmonella and campylobacter infections can cause chronic IBD-like symptoms without underlying disease.

Granulomatous enteritis is another condition said to cause IBD in dogs. Granulomas are nodules of the body's defense cells that accumulate around infectious organisms or foreign particles within the body. It is a specific disease in horses, but it may not represent any specific disease of dogs.

Dogs, especially older dogs, sometimes develop tumors of the intestines. When these tumors involve large segments of the intestine, they can cause symptoms similar to IBD.

To further confuse you, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not the same as Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD). IBS has many of the same symptoms. But in IBS, the intestines are hyperactive, not from irritation, but from excessive nerve stimulation. The stimulation is usually psychological and due to stress, fear or nervousness. It occurs in dogs and is similar to what occurs in humans.

How Would I Know If My Dog Has Inflammatory Bowel Disease ?

If you dog has loose stools , overly frequent stools, blood-containing stools, straining or diarrhea over more than 10 days, IBD needs to be considered as a possible cause. Persistent loose stools inflame the anus causing scooting that can be mistaken for anal sac disease. Straining to defecate can also be mistaken for constipation.

Inflamed intestines turn many pets into picky eaters with good and bad days. So poor appetite, weight loss and a lusterless, brittle coat often accompany IBD. Gurgling tummies (borborygmi), bloating and discomfort also occur. Sometimes, vomiting occurs as well.

The actual signs in your pet will depend on which part of it's intestine is most inflamed. If the upper intestine and stomach are most involved, vomiting and weight loss should be the first things you notice. If the middle intestine and colon are most involved, diarrhea, weight loss and less frequent or no vomiting would be more likely. If the upper intestines are most affected, the diarrhea is likely to be very watery ,large in volume and occurring only a few times a day. Upper intestinal IBD also causes the pet to appear more ill than the lower intestinal form. In the lower intestinal form, there is more straining and frequency and blood and mucus is more apparent on the stool.

Are The Other Conditions That Might Cause My Pet To Have Similar Signs ?

Yes. Some dogs have an idiosyncrasy about eating stuff they shouldn't. Chewing on sticks, eating leaves, excessive grooming, or getting into garbage day after day cause chronic loose stools than can not be distinguished from IBD. Sometimes owners know this is happening. But sometimes stool from these dogs need to be collected on various days and passed through a screen to identify offending material that is irritating their intestines.

Intestinal parasites such as whipworms and strongyloides can also cause loose stools and diarrhea that can not be distinguished from IBD. Repeated fecal checks are needed to find these parasites and often it is simpler to just worm the pet several times with medications that kill these parasites. Most veterinarians will also give these pets metronidazole (Flagyl) in case giardia parasites are part of the problem. However, giardia rarely cause chronic diarrhea in dogs unless an underlying intestinal problem is present.

Dogs with underlying liver or pancreatic disease can have signs similar to IBD. Your veterinarian may run some liver and pancreatic tests to rule this out.

What Would Make My Veterinarian Suspect This Condition ?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease will be high on your veterinarians diagnostic list as soon as you tell him/her the symptoms your pet is experiencing. Long-standing diarrhea with or without vomiting, weight loss and increased mucus in the stools (sometimes with streaks of blood) are all suggestive of IBD.

The vet will then suggest some tests to rule other causes out. The results of laboratory tests are not always clear cut, so it may take some time for the veterinarian to sort things out.

During the veterinarian's physical exam of your pet, he/she might feel thickened intestines and enlarged lymph nodes surrounding them. That is common in long-standing IBD.

The veterinarian may notice that your pet has lost weight or should weigh more than it does. Although IBD can affect any breed, vets know that they see it IBD more frequently in German Shepherds, Cockers, Yorkies, Wheatons, Rottweilers and Basenjis. If your pet is less than 2-3 yrs old, IBD might not be at the top of the vet's diagnostic picks. The mean age of dogs coming in with this problem is 6.3 years. But I suspect many have had mild or intermittent cases for years prior to that.

What Tests Will My Veterinarian Run ?

 
Generally, the vet will start with a fecal sample examination to rule out parasites and some blood work to rule out pancreatic, liver or other systemic disease as the cause.

In most cases of IBD, the blood work results are normal. If the problem is long standing and severe, your pets total blood protein level may be low due to its inability to absorb nutrients and leakage out through the intestinal wall. Occasionally it's globulin level will be elevated. If the pet has been vomiting persistently, its blood potassium level may be low. A few pets will have an increase in their WBC eosinophil numbers - a possible hint at a food sensitivity or parasitic problem.

When the results of those tests come back negative, most vets will try modifying your pet's diet and perhaps putting the pet on a medication like metronidazole (Flagyl). Flagyl kills giarida and several bacteria that cause diarrhea. But it also appears to somehow lessen diarrhea even when no parasites or invading bacteria are present.

The vet may give or suggest medications that slow, soothe and coat the intestines.

If diet modification and temporary medications solve the problem, your pet is very lucky. If not , other tests must be run.

Often an x-ray and abdominal ultrasound are next. However, they basically rule other causes out. The only test that gives a clear yes-no answer to an IBD diagnosis is an intestinal biopsy. This requires that your pet be anesthetized and that small snippets of tissue be removed from the pet's intestines, either surgically or through a tube (endoscope) inserted down your pet's throat and into it's intestines. Samples may also be taken from the other end - the way a colonoscopy is done on humans. The veterinarian will also visually check the lining of your pets intestines looking for damage.

Intestinal biopsy is an expensive procedure, often requiring a certified veterinary internist working from a veterinary specialty center. Not all pet owners have the money to pay for this service. If you do, have it done. If the biopsies show that your pet does not have IBD, the vet will keep searching for the cause. Cases of Intestinal lymphagectasia can be mistaken for IBD. Intestinal lymphagectasia also requires an intestinal biopsy for diagnosis.

If you can not afford endoscopy/biopsy for your dog and IBD is the most likely cause of your pet's problems, it is entirely plausible to request that your pet be treated with medications and diets that are used to control IBD to see how well they control the problem. This should only be done when the other likely causes of chronic diarrhea have been ruled out. A medication that is often included in an IBD treatment plan is prednisone. It can be quite helpful in controlling the inflammation caused by IBD. However, occasionally, this drug can also mask other problems, such as intestinal tumors (lymphoma). So you may wish to stop short of giving prednisone until you have a clearer diagnosis.

What Treatments Will Help My Pet ?

 
All the treatments for IBD try to decrease inflammation in the intestines. Some are aimed directly at the immune system itself, some at slowing down intestinal motility, some at coating and protecting the lining of the intestine and some at limiting specific diet ingredients that are irritating your pet's digestive system. None of these techniques will permanently cure your pet but they often help manage the problem.

Medications That Work Directly On Your Pet's Immune System

Corticosteroids (steroids, cortisone, etc.) are very effective in decreasing inflammation. The most commonly used corticosteroid is prenisone. It is very effective in lessening or eliminating the signs of IBD in dogs. However, prednisone can have a number of serious side effects. So it must only be used when absolutely necessary and in as small an amount as possible. The problem with giving too much prednisone is that it suppresses the immune system throughout the pet's body - not just in the intestinal tract. Prednisone, and drugs like it, also cause weight gain, fluid retention, liver changes and a number of other undesirable side effects if they are used too frequently and in too high an amount. Dexamethasone, prednisolone and all common corticosteroids have these same side effects.

A newer corticosteroid which shows promise in IBD is budesonide (Entocort® EC). This drug is marketed to treat Crohn's disease in people. Crohn's disease is also a form of IBD. Budesonide may cause less of the systemic side effects we associate with corticosteroid use.

Other medications that disable the immune system are also used. Two are cyclosporine and azathioprine. These are powerful anti-cancer medications. They must be managed carefully with frequent laboratory tests of your pets system. They have been known to cause pancreatitis, bone marrow and liver problems.

Sulfasalazine (5-ASA, Salazoprin, Azulfidine,etc.) is a sulfa antibiotic. However, it has an anti-inflammatory action inside your pet's intestine. Because it is poorly absorbed, it does not have the level of side effects that steroids do. So it is often tried in the treatment of IBD before resorting to cortiocosteroids. Sulfasalazine has occasionally affected the glands of the eyes that produce tears causing a permanent problem called dry eye or keratoconjunctivis sicca (KCS). Olsalazine and Mesalamine are similar drugs that might be less likely to cause KCS.

There are some studies that suggest that omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in decreasing intestinal inflammation in people with Crohn's disease. Since they are not toxic, there is no harm in trying them. Fish oil is a good source.

Medications That Slow Down Your Pet's Intestines and Stop Vomiting

Occasional use of loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) sometimes helps during flair-ups in dogs (do not use either of these medications in cats). But when they are given continuously over long periods of time they may loose their effectiveness or cause constipation. They are quite safe when the correct dose is given for your pet's size.

Medications That Protect The Lining Of Your Pet's Digestive System

Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) helps some pets with IBD. It is particularly helpful when vomiting is part of the problem or during diarrhea flare-ups.

When inflammation is severe enough to cause bleeding ulcers of the lining of your pet's intestine, mistoprostol , cimetidine and ranitidine , which decrease stomach acidty, or sucralfate , which forms a protective barier against acidity, sometimes help.

Antibiotics That Sometimes Help

An antibiotic called metronidazole (Flagyl) often helps pets that have IBD. Metronidazole does not only kill harmful bacteria and protozoa that might be compounding your pets problem. Even when harmful bacteria are not the apparent root cause of your pets problem, metronidazole is sometimes effective. We do not know why.

Another antibiotic, tylosin, sometimes helps control IBD when it is added to your pet's food. A newer antibiotic, used with apparent success in treating IBD in humans, is rifaximin. It is mentioned in an article I reference again later (ref). I have no experience using it but others do. (ref)

What About Diet Changes And Special Diets ?

You should always try diet changes before resorting to medications to manage IBC. It is rare that diet changes alone will be enough. But limiting your pets food to the things that are easiest for it to handle will allow you to use less medication.

Many highly digestible, hypoallergenic and bland diets are commercially available or can be prepared at home .These diets should be free of preservatives, additives and coloring agents. They should either contain an unusual protein source such as cheese, rabbit, venison, cottage cheese or duck or contain proteins that are hydrolyzed into small non-antigenic component molecules (HA, z/d, etc.). It can take up to several months to see improvement.

Sometimes high fiber diets are helpful. Again, they are available commercially (OM, r/d etc). You can also add fiber to your current diet. See my home cooked recipe page for suggested sources of fiber. Increased fiber does not help all pets with IBD. Some do better when the fiber content of their diet is actually reduced.

Some dogs with IBD have less diarrhea when the fat content (or source) in their diet is reduced. High fiber diets, designed for pet to loose weight are also lower in fat.

Can My Dog Be Cured ?

Dealing with IBD in a pet requires a great deal of patience and dedication.

Occasionally, owners see the problem go away with, or without treatment. In these cases, the problems was probably not true IBD in the first place. In true IBD, we can control the problem, but we can not cure it. This is because the underlying biochemical defects that make your pet prone to the problem are not understood. But once you have worked out a special nutrition and life-style plan for your dog, it is a problem you both can live with. There will probably be flare ups when medications will be needed. In some pets, we see the best results when your give medications continuously.

New medications are always being tried. Generally, veterinarians read about them in articles aimed at controlling Crohn's disease in people and give them a try in dogs. Because IBD symptoms in dogs have natural peaks and valleys, it can be difficult to quickly decide if any given medication really helps.

Over time, fibrous tissue builds up in the walls of your pet's intestine and other changes occur that make it harder for the pet to absorb nutrients and, perhaps, to keep weight on. You can compensate for this with and extra-nutritious diet and supplemental vitamins.

Because there is often an underlying genetic element in this disease, breeding your pet will perpetuate the problem in future puppy generations. So it is not conscientious to do that.

Can Recent Discoveries In Humans With Chronic Intestinal Inflammations Help My Dog ?

Microbiota transplantation (FMT)

Perhaps.

Physicians are coming to realize that the vast number of micro organisms that naturally live in the large intestine have a tremendous influence on general health. Most dogs with IBR or similar conditions have received antibiotics on various occasions. Those antibiotics invariably change the species of bacteria and other beneficial organisms (gut flora) that live in your pet's intestine. Not only are the species of bacteria important, what portion of the pet's intestine they live in is important too. Administering certain medications, such as antacids, have the potential to may higher portions of the pet's intestine available for undesirable colonization by these organisms. (ref) It is possible that those flora changes will not return to what they were prior to antibiotic therapy and that those changes might have a negative impact on your pet's intestinal health. Your veterinarian may attempt to correct the problem with probiotic pastes. However, those pastes, at best, restore only a small fraction of the species that were lost. Their effect is minimal and short-lived. The best way to attempt to restore your pets bacterial flora is through a process called microbiota transplantation (FMT) , in which a complete, healthy bacterial population is transferred by high enema from a healthy pet to your pet. This concept is a new one for most small animal veterinarians. These links will take you to two recent key articles on the subject ( link 1, link 2)