What kind of colitis? Ischemic, ulcerative, or other? What caused it? The cause could be bacterial, parasitic, vascular, structural... Acute or chronic? The vet recommended a food but did he recommend a diet? He should tell you what foods to use and what to avoid and not just a specific brand. There are many kinds of colitis and the optimal diet is different for each kind. Nobody can give you a valid answer without knowing what kind of colitis this is.
We usually use the Iams Low Residue kibble (from the vet). It also comes in cans. The dog would usually be on metronidizole for a week and pepsid. We don't use Pepto anymore because of the ingredient related to aspirin that is in Pepto.
The low residue kibble can be used for long periods of time. I even use it for nursing moms that have very loose stools.
My recommended a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice durin exacerbation of the colitis plus metronidazole, pepcid, and endosorb. Then I switched him to Coastal catch made by earthborn. I have also had good luck with this regime dealing with a senior who has perianal fistulas.
Well, I don't like the ingredients in Science Diet either, but it is currently doing a fabulous job for my girl with IBD. I have tried literally every food out there for her - including home cooking, rotational diets, and Chinese Herbs. Finally, I gave in and put her on Science Diet z/d food and she is feeling great! She currently has zero symptoms (something we haven't seen in years), is gaining weight, adding coat, and is full of energy. I understand your concern about the ingredients in the food, but I've decided that I'm going to look at the dog - not the dog food bag.
My only regret in feeding this food is that I waited so long to try it for her. I caused her unnecessary distress by prolonging her illness with my hard headedness.
Susan, I wouldn't give yourself too much grief about being stubborn because I tried Science Diet with my girl who has perianal fistulas. The result was so awful that I had to give her 3 months of an immune suppressant (at $450 a month). I happened upon Earthborn Coastal Catch (just an accident because I was given a few trial bags), and she has been OK for nearly a year.
But I really agree that you need to look at the dog to see what works. Diseases like colitis and perianal fistulas can have an autoimmune component and be devilishly difficult to treat. Each dog really is different. Experimentation is the only way we can figure out what works.
