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Can I Use Natural Remedies for Dog Post-Surgery Instead of Antibiotics?

Posted By Tnt (Australia ) on 04/23/2022

Does anyone know if I can swap antibiotics for a dog post-intestinal surgery for a natural antiobiotic such as olive leaf extract? She was doing good post surgery day 2 and day 3, then day 4 (last night) she wouldn't eat all day and ended up vomiting blood clots only an hour after I gave her the antibiotic. I feel like these medications are too harsh on her empty GI tract and are creating more inflammation. It is hard to find a holistic vet where we live.

Just wondering if anyone has had any previous experience with giving their dog natural medicines instead of what the vet prescribes. She is still sickly this morning but a lot more livelier than last night. I thought she was going to die before we woke up but she is looking better just wants to rest for now.

Any suggestions for what I should feed her, like a chicken soup for now until she gets better to eat? She had to have a portion of the large intestine removed due to strangulated hernia. I am worried the surgeon didn't stitch her up properly and it is still bleeding. We don't want to have to open her up again this was absolutely horrible what she has gone through.

Replied by Mama to Many (TN) on 04/23/2022

Dear Tnt,

After oral surgery we have used turmeric instead of anti-biotics. And I found in at least one case, that colloidal silver was a more effective antibiotic for my dog than doxycycline.

Here is some dosing information for turmeric for pets. I do give turmeric 4 x a day when using as an antibiotic.

And here is some dosing information for colloidal silver for pets. I don't see any reason not to use turmeric and silver together.

Slippery elm is an herb that is nutritive and healing to the gut. It is mild and could be added to chicken soup.

I hope she feels much better soon!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Tnt (Australia ) on 04/25/2022

7 days ago our 12 year old dog had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a section of her large intestine as it had become strangulated through an inguinal hernia. Today we took her in to the vet who did the surgery and he said she has to go for a second operation to cut out the affected tissue and rejoin the healthier intestine back together otherwise she will die. She was good post op day 1 and 2 after, we were giving her antiobiotics and pain killers as the vet had instructed. Day 3 she was feeling very sick, she vomitted brown watery liquid twice throughout the day then at night after 1 hour giving her antibiotics she vomited blood clots.

We only just read about the negative side effects of nsaid on dogs after giving her 3 x 20mg tablets the vet gave us no leaflet with the tabs or warned about any side effects. We believe she suffered serious side effects although it is hard to know because of all the other possible factors that could have caused her sickness (anaesthesia, the infection itself, antiobiotics or pain killers). We are so worried about her and whether she will even survive the op - round two. Trying to stay positive, when she comes out tomorrow, can anyone please suggest an alternative to the antiobiotics and the nsaid the vets prescribe? We don't want to give her any pharmaceuticals for the reason that the operation is on her GI tract and we believe that these pharmaceuticals will further damage her intestines.

Please any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you..

Replied by Stephanie (Long Valley, Nj) on 04/25/2022
Hi Tnt,

You could talk to your vet asap, and ask for options, or you could get a 2nd opinion from another vet, or a natural type vet who also does surgery. When I was in the hospital for ulcerative colitis, they gave me IV antibiotics, which seemed ok, but if I take oral antibiotics, it makes my intestines worse. Sometimes there is no alternative to antibiotics when in an emergency situation, which your dog is in right now, but there are more than one type of antibiotics, maybe your dog needs a different antibiotic. If you don't trust your vet, you can try an opinion from another vet.

Replied by Jodi (Missouri US) on 04/26/2022
What medication is she on and did you research complications with "whatever the surgery was called" to see if those side effects were somewhat normal? If you are concerned like I would be as well, consider taking her to the University if you have one somewhat close to you, there your dog could get more specialized care. I am so sorry your dog is going thru this.

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