My german shepherd has had diareha for 9 mos now. Have put him on a grain free diet and that does not seem to help. Vet has had him on various meds and nothing seems to help. He has weight loss from time to time and can only manage to pick back up a couple of pounds. I love him to pieces but he is breaking me up. Can anyone help us, please?
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His diarreha actually began when hubby was getting bad and in hospital a lot towards the end. We first thot it was anxiety cause he knew somethign was worng. I brot hubby home next to last time and he seemed to start to do beter, then when hubby went in hospital last time he got worse again and when I brot him home and he died a week later, Diesel never came back out of it. Vet has had him on prostora, and anitbiotics and steroids. They dont' seem to help, other than causing me to go broke.
Thank you for your suggestions, tho. I may try the pumpkin or some of the brans, but think I will have my friend ask that vet again. I do wonder if the Trifexis is effecting him somewhat, too. It has beef flavoring in it and I was told to keep him away from beef, red dye and corn for some time now.
That does sound like there's some kind of physiological problem linked to it to some extent. Does he get enough daily exercise? I know this may sound weird but lots of problems can be solved if dogs are given enough physical and mental stimulation. I don't know for sure if that'll help but what I'd try to do is to give him lots of exercise as well as mental work so that he can overcome this loss (I assume he had strong bonds with your husband?). A general rule is to never show a dog you pity him because he'll feel your vibes and this will not help recovering. Are there any friendly dogs around that you can take him to? So that they play together and the stuff. Companionship of friendly and well balanced dogs always help usually.
Anyhow these are all just my guesses and I don't know the situation as well as you do but I really hope this can help. Meanwhile yes, try adding some fiber. Also you may want to try another grain free food brand (who knows, maybe that's just food allergy??).
By the way have you ever tried to keep him on a raw food diet? That's considered even healthier than grain free food.
Good luck!
Does his stool contain any blood or mucus? Does he vomit? Has he lost weight? If yes it sounds like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IDB). Intolerance to certain food ingredients or intestinal parasites can be some of IDB causes. I cannot know for sure of course because I'm not a vet but I really wonder why it takes your vet so long to do something helpful. I'd believe he should have diagnosed intestinal parasites quickly if they were the case. Allergies are usually more difficult to diagnose.
Anyway please take a look at this page, lots of information there:
http://www.2ndchance.info/inflambowel.htm
First thing I'd do is gradual switching him to another diet. What was his diet before it started? Try to slowly switch him to that again and see if it helps. If it happens, the problem was most probably an allergy to that particular type of grain free food. Then you can decide if you want to keep him on that old diet or try something else (another grain free food brand or raw diet). Raw diets consist of muscle meat (often still on the bone), either whole or ground bones, livers and kidneys, raw eggs, vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and celery, and maybe some dairy like Yogurt. Raw meats should be about 80% of the diet.
R
No blood or mucus in his stool. Just runny at times. But of late, once in a while it seems to be firming up a bit. But on the up side, he doesn't seem to be "going" as often. So I guess that is a plus. He is losing some weight at times. Before I had him on Pedigree. I wondered myself about IBD. But the vet has not entertained that idea. A friend of mine has talked to thier vet at OSU and that one thinks he has some sort of pancreatic problem prone to german shepherds. And they suggested the grain free food. IT is expensive and I don't mind buying it for him, if it only helps him.
Thnx for your input. I am nearly out of options with my buddy. My hubby died 9 mos ago and it is just Diesel and I now. So we have to take care of each other.
B and Diesel
all the best to you both! xx