Loved Dog with IBD—seriously!!! 😑 Question about perspective.

Background: 

We are in the throngs of a 2-3 month ordeal, back and forth with our two dogs. It began with a maybe virus or parasite—something digested in November 2025. Ugh! Our regular vets pushed probiotics only. The other dog, a 5 years old, was taken to vet ER in December. She was vomiting blood. It was the strain of vomiting that caused the blood so antinausea meds and fluids let her heal. One month forward, she is fine, mostly. But the other dog has taken a bad turn. We have had many more vet visits, even a parasite stool test (negative, though we did the deworming meds to make sure.) No antibiotics given. And then, concerningly, a suggestion of canine IBD is being pondered.

In the last 10 days, the 7 year old dog now cannot hold food down. He doesn’t vomit, but instead spills the mostly intact food out. At first intermittent, but now we have to give him anti nausea meds to let him keep tiny meals down. He is struggling with all protiens, or so it seems. The vet suggested we give him his oat and peanut butter dry cookies until special food arrives. Today, I started giving him very soft real oatmeal for better nutrients. So far he’s kept it down. We have done blood work, and an ultrasound, nothing conclusive, some oddities with size of kidneys. But he pees fine. We await urine test. And we are testing one of those hydrolyzed kibbles when it finally arrives. And if still no improvement, we will need to scope esophagus and stomach. I’m terrified of neurological esophageal issues. He’s so young. We are taking it one day and even one hour at a time. 

Questions: 

1. anyone else have IBD and also a dog with IBD? OMG—unfairness. 2) those of us with this disease know a lot, and so given what I have said, or what you might know of canine IBD, do you think immune suppressants should be asked for and not food changes? Though maybe both are needed. Anyone ever have success with antibiotics and their IBD. I am only asking for anecdotal stories that might help. I know none of you are vets, or maybe there are some vets here??? :-) 

Thank you for reading.