German Sherherd constant Diahrea

MAELOU3 · 12-06-2006, 02:12 PM

I have a two year old German Shepherd, who has constant diahrea for over a year now. I brought him to the vet, no parrasites. He was on med's for approx. 2 weeks. While on the med's he was fine as soon as he came off back to same condition. The vet told me he is also 12 lbs. underweight. I also tried changing food for sensitive stomachs, no change. He currently eats purina one. I give him rice with chicken to try and tighten up his stool as well as to put weight on him. Other than his diahrea he's happy love's to play ball, very active! But i know this is not normal. If someone has any idea's I would be so grateful!

jude · 12-06-2006, 02:23 PM

For some reason, traditional vets don't seem to recommend a probiotic. Also, if you want to really do it right, you'll make his food yourself rather than buy a commercial food. That's what I do for my cat. The vet just gave her a few months but I did some reading on holistic methods and now she's fine.

For sure, though, if you don't do anything else, do a search for a good doggie probiotic...it will encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut. He may be out of balance, kind of like what happens with us when we get a yeast infection after having taken a round of antibiotics.

MAELOU3 · 12-06-2006, 03:18 PM

Thank you for your response, I so appreciate your advice. What is a probiotic?

cshellenberger · 12-06-2006, 03:40 PM

A Probiotic is any thing that helps restore the healthy Flora (Good Bacteria) to the gut. It can be as simple as Plain, organic, Yogurt or an Acidophius supplement. You might also try getting Green Tripe, which is hte fourth stomach of a cow, unrinsed (thus the 'green') from a butcher. It smells DISCUSTING, but it's LOADED with digestive enzymes and may help to restore those enzymes to your dogs gut. There is also a canned version from Solid Gold Pet Foods, but I like the raw as you can freeze it and it keeps the mess down. You might also consider, if there is a recurring issue, going to a Raw diet. Research it thoroughly first, there are many sites and books that deal with different techniques. I know of dogs it has done wonders for with IBD and severe food allergies.

Dogged · 12-06-2006, 04:20 PM

First of all, I would get another fecal parasite test done. About 10-20% of the time they may not see something that is really there.

Some dogs (I believe it is common in shepherds) have problems digesting their food and need to be on a supplement called Viokase. You might ask your vet about testing for that.

Dulce · 12-06-2006, 05:12 PM

Purina is very low quality food. I would suggest something like:

-Innova
-Innova EVO
-Natural Balance
-Eagle Pack
-Neutro

Stay aay from anythin with corn, and fillers, and un natural ingredients.

Take your dog back to the vet, as "Dogged" suggested, and get another fecel test done.

Good luck! Keep up posted!
Oh, and I waant to say, thanks for taking your dog to the vet FIRST, before coming on here asking for advice. You're an aesome owner!

jude · 12-07-2006, 08:45 AM

Dulce, I'm sure you don't mean to infer that anyone who asks advice here before going to a vet is not necessarily a good owner.

There are many valid reasons for coming here first; a lot of posters are new dog owners, and they're asking you pros if a condition is serious or not because they don't know. I'm sure it's not that they won't take them to the vet, if necessary, but most of us have better things to do with our money that throw it on unnecessary vet bills.

In my case, my emergency happened over the weekend, which seems to be some sort of cosmic rule for emergencies, and I was in touch with the emergency vet all weekend (by phone) and he kept assuring me that this was not an emergency. I just wasn't so sure so I sought out pro's online for advice. Needless to say, Sissy and I were waiting for the vet outside his office on Monday morning.

Another thing...I absolutely don't believe in taking a vet's word as gold, any more than I do my M.D. We're ultimately responsible for our pets' health, and we need to seek out as much information as we can from various sources.

Dulce · 12-07-2006, 03:02 PM

lol..I'm not trying to start anything.

Gawd, I can't say anything right. I wwas complimenting the person, and there's nothing wrong with that.

To the OP: Good luck! You're still a great owner

German Shepherd Lover · 12-31-2006, 04:18 PM

The dog has had diahrea for a year? I guess there is no sense in rushing into anything is there? No dehyration problems? Red gums? Maybe in another year or two his stools will firm up...

Jessica&Crew · 12-31-2006, 05:36 PM

I had a Vizsla mix who had this same problem. I'm almost sure thats the reason he ended up at the local humane society....

I have to say, you're doing great by sticking with him, first of all!

I ended up going almost exclusively with the BARF diet for Riley.

In the meantime, you may want to try adding canned pumpkin with your dogs diet.

It often helps firm up stool, which is something you are most likely aiming for. I think everyone here has given you some great advice, so its hard to try to add much else to it.