I have clostridium perfringens

We just came back from seeing my vet Dr. Jan. She checked me all over - good thing is I don't have a blockage. But she did tests on my fecal sample (poop - why not just say it like it is) and found I have an overgrowth of a bacteria called clostridium perfringens. It is causing colitis and that is causing the diarrhea. So apparently we all have this bacteria in our system - it's part of the normal flora. But something triggers it to over grow - stress, diet change, etc. I might have gotten too much from eating bunny poop or mulch or even from sniffing animal droppings. Dr. Jan gave me an antibiotic and some special bland diet canned food. I am supposed to have nothing but that food for the next 24 hours. I don't mind too much because it tastes good. Hopefully if the diarrhea stops, I'll feel better really soon. We also have to check to see if the food I eat regularly has enough fiber in it. Colits can often be managed with more fiber in the diet.

We are very bummed to be missing the trial. Of all times for this to happen. But we know there will be plenty more trials and mom says she's happy that there is not something more seriously wrong with me.

How weird that my buddy Ludo is sick today and has colitis too! I sure hope he feels better soon! Maybe colitis is a Sheltie thing?

Gotta get some rest,

Ricky

Things are better

So it was 9:00AM the last time I threw up and we are knocking on wood and hoping that I won't throw up again! I have had some water and a couple very small meals of rice and boiled chicken. I am soooooo hungry though and wish I could eat the entire chicken at once! Mom says I am getting another small serving at 6:00 and then before bed.

We didn't end up going in to the vet's office but we talked to her on the phone about 8 times today (she wasn't actually in the office today). We had an appointment to see another vet but since my stomach finally calmed down, we didn't have to go. Our vet was so nice to talk to us all day long.....

Mom does wish, however, that we had a vet who specializes in Shelties (is there such a thing?) because then he/she would have more insight into our special needs - which appear to be plentiful!!!

Guess each time something like this happens we learn new things about what to do and what not to do......I'll never try taking another aspirin, that's for sure!

Maybe zooming again tomorrow?

Ricky

Still kind of sick

Well, mom kept me relatively quiet all day yesterday and fed me lots of little meals of chicken and rice. We thought we had made a lot of progress, but at 6:00AM I had the yellow, frothy vomit again. Since mom is trying to give me small meals, I'm sure this throw up was because my stomach was empty. For breakfast I had chicken and rice with a little of my kibble mixed in. It's hard to know how much food I should eat at a time - don't want to have a major relapse. Also I haven't pooped since early yesterday - not much going in, not much going out! Guess it will take awhile to get back to normal. Mom and I are not very patient and want to be back to normal NOW!

Hope you all are having a better weekend than me!

Gotta rest (again, no zooming!)

Ricky