Dog with IBD

Question
I have a female boxer that we rescued 1.5 yrs ago. She has been sick intermittantly since we got her. Her symptoms are recurring nausea and vomitting, and occasional bloody diarrhea. When she was the worst bloodwork showed elevated enzymes. We initially thought pancreatitis, but after treating her for that felt that it may be IBS. She is currently on Royal Canin Digestive Low Fat food, 500 mg Sulfasalazine/day, and Metoclopramide and Enterol when vomitting. She also takes Standard Process Veterinary formulas which include Gastrex, Bosweilla, and Canine Immune Support. My vet wants me to do further testing such as an intestinal biopsy ($1800-2000) which is out of the question right now. She is hesitant to try any other medication w/o further testing. She does well for a little while but has had one bout of bloody diarrhea and two bouts of vomitting in the last month. I would appreciate any suggestions or opinions you may have on what to do. We love her so much and want to heal her.  

Answer
Hi Kimberly
Thanks for your question.  I can imagine how completely distressing this is for your dog as well as yourselves.
Although I can not diagnose (as only your vet can do that), I do strongly feel that your dog has a severe digestive disorder such as IBS.  One of the first things you should do is change his diet. I can never recommend commercial dog foods.  They are as far removed from what is natural for dogs as can be.  If you are unsure as to how to feed your dog raw and natural foods then please go to www.barfword.com to find out about the food and where you can buy it.
Dogs on raw and natural diets look better, smell better, have better digestive systems, better coats and do smaller, fewer and better smelling poop.
The medications your vet has the dog on are only masking the symptoms, but not actually doing anything to alleviate the condition.  
I am not familiar with Standard Process formulas.  I had a look at their website.  I feel that you might be best to give these away for a while, whilst trying a new treatment plan for the next 3 months to see how things change.
I can not advise you about whether you should stop the medications or not - that is your decision alone.  I will say that they are adding toxins and stress to your dog's body.  Talk to your vet about cutting back to half doses and then stopping them all together.  If your dog is still getting the symptoms AND taking the medications, then you really need to ask your vet WHY your dog is still on them!

New Treatment Plan:
I would be changing the diet.  Stop the supplements.  Give a lesser dose of the meds (if you choose to) and look at stopping them all together (if appropriate), and add the following herbal formulas instead.
Go to www.naturalrearing.com.  From here click onto the "N.R.  Original Herbal Formulas (Juliette de Bairacli Levy's)" tab.  Then scroll down to find these two products:  NR TREE BARK GRUEL & N.R. SPECIAL BLEND DAILY HERBAL SUPPLEMENT (IMPORTED FROM ENGLAND).
I think you will start to notice a huge improvement in your Boxer's health by commencing this plan.

Add to this lots of love (no doggy treats though) and talk to him about how much he is a part of the family and how loved and wanted he is.  You don't know his background or what he has been through, so make him feel SECURE.
Please do not hesitate to contact me again if necessary.
Kind regards,
Silva.
www.roxysworld.com.au