Baytril-Responsive Diarrhea Recurs

[evvlabs]

My 11 year old lab has diarrhea with tons of mucous, which responds to Baytril within 24 hours. Baytril is given for 7 days. About 2-4 weeks later, the diarrhea is back. No other symptoms.  Have gone through multiple courses of Baytril, and diarrhea returns.  Has been wormed. Tons of lab work - everything is normal except low B12 and low folate.  Has been on strict elimination diet for 8 weeks, plus recently added probiotics. Other dog in household is unaffected.

Should Baytril be given for longer than 7 days? How long? Other thoughts?  Considering ACTH Stim and Dextramethasone suppression tests, but why would diarrhea respond to Baytril -- almost instantly -- if it was not just bacteria?  And why can't we get rid of the bacteria?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I have used Baytril on a pulse basis for some pets for some infections (not diarrhea).  Pulse basis means on and off for a period of time, and can be used long term safely.  To be honest I  will have to do research as to why your dog's diarrhea is responsive to Baytril, when a common side effect of Baytril  is diarrhea.  Has your dog ever been on Tylan for diarrhea? Tylan is used long term in many dogs with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), and other, unknown causes of diarrhea, unresponsive to any other treatment.  Probiotics, digestive enzymes, supplemental folic acid and other b-complex vitamins and injections of B-12 can help.  Has your vet done a culture and sensitivity on your dogs feces?  This may give you the Baytril answer.  I will get back to you after discussing this  question with colleagues.  Thanks

[Lisa226]

I guess that my email address didn't show up...let's try that again.  Here is my address.  maggiemay  at mindspring dot com.

[Lisa226]

Hi,

I have a 13 year old dachshund that experienced the same exact thing as your dog.  I am not sure how to contact you, but I would love to ask you a few questions about your dog, as well as share with you the progress of my dogs' situation as well.  My email address is ***@****.  Thanks so much.

Take care,
Lisa

[evvlabs]

Stool culture was "normal mixed flora." Dog is on probiotic, B12 injections and mulit-vitamin.  Dog has not been on Tylan.  I am afraid of Tylan due to ototoxicity. This dog received frequent genamycin ear drops for first few years of life due to frequent ear infections. This is now known to be ototoxic. Other dog also received these ear drops (albeit for a longer period) and died of complications due to vesitbular syndrome. Thus long term use of Tylan scares me.