My German Shepherd has chronic diarrhea. -Vet no help

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mudbuttjones

mudbuttjones

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2014
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Wisconsin
My German Shepherd has had chronic diarreah on and off for the last couple months. Usually 2-3 days a week of liquid stools. Following a day or 2 of normal stools.

He is 6 months old and neutered. Not a pure bread. Mother was a high ticket GSD from a police dog breeder, dad was a boarder collie.

My vet keeps giving me antibiotics and strongly urges me. NOT to change his food (bluebuffalo)

Hes had 2 seemingly arbitrary rounds of antibiotics prescribed. The first time was diagnosed over the phone and the vet never saw the dog for it.

I have had 3 stool samples done for parasites. All ok.

She insisted I put 1tbsp flavorless fiber powder on his food twice daily. It doesn't seem to help. Im beginning to think he may have too much fiber.

Aftet he finishes his food I think im going to switch to something else, still a premium brand, not old Roy or anything. Lol. I know the breed is susceptible to digestive issues and blue buffalo may be too rich for him.

Still confused why the vet doesnt want me to change is food and Is so adamant about it. (she says its not necessary since he was OK on it when he was younger) I don't think its environmental (chewing/eating bad stuff) I think its diet related.

Water parameters ok. 0 ammonia - 5ppm nitrate. Lololololol

View attachment 1038937
Pic for good measure.


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My pup had similar issues with Taste of the wild pork flavor. TOW is one of my favorite foods and when I switched to fowl instead, no problem. Buffalo is a good brand though, probably one of the best. But tOW is cheaper, and still grain free. Just my experience. Good luck. Runny stools ain't fun.


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I have not had him tested for any sort lf pancreatic issues. I was unaware of this problem. I just knew the breed was predisposed to digestive issues. Thanks for the tip.

He's on blue buffalo puppy food - chicken and rice.

The vet doesn't seem to be very knowledgeable or eager to discover the root cause of this issue. I've got my wedding in a week and a baby due in January. The medical bills are killing me. money is super tight, vet bills may be on the back burner over the next month.

I think I may try to switch his food gradually to something else and see if maybe his food just doesn't agree with him before I start looking for a new vet who's willing to work with me.

He's got a beautiful coat, explosive never ending energy, and is over 50lbs @ 6months old. Whatever is bothering him isn't showing in his appearance or behavior.

Thanks for the input, I want to address this and take care of it as soon as I can make it happen.


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My dog trainer also recommended wellness food. ... at $76 for a 20 something pound bag is out of the question. I don't even eat that good.

Are there any affordable recommendations for a good food?

I'm comfortable paying $50 for a 30lb bag.

:edit: by chance I discovered that I work with a girl who got one of his litter mates. She says her dog has no problems, and they feed him cheap food.


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Vet should run an "IDEXX Canine Diarrhea Panel" from your dogs stool sample if not already been done. One of my dogs tested positive for Cryptosporidium bacteria. the panel covers other things also.
IMO, your vet has no common sense to argue against trying a dietary change.
it doesn't matter if the dogs' diet is what "you prefer". what matters is for things to be functioning in a healthy way.
first step with diarrhea is minimum fasting from food for 24 hrs minimum &/or until diarrhea stops.
irritated bowels need REST to recover from simple issues. That is basic fact.
begin solid food by trying small portions white rice. cooking rice in non-fatty, unsalted chicken broth is ok. no artificial ingredients.
If diarrhea does Not return then try increasing portions. then slowly add in some boiled chicken or turkey & gradually reduce rice, increasing the meat. Everything GRADUAL is important.
alternately, if you can't/won't try chicken, gradually add some canned dog food instead.
At least try a different brand with less rich meat as first method to wean off the rice.
If rice does not work after very careful & gradual increments, then dog may have it's own problem. sensitivities, irritable/inflammatory bowel syndrome etc. or any number of more difficult things to dx/ treat.

PS, even IF the vet treated with the antibiotic (Tylosin) for Cryptosporidium bacteria, some dogs are not able to go entirely off the med without some level of the illness resuming.
My dog has to be maintained on a minuscule daily dose. not the initial full dose.

Good luck.
 
petspoiler said:
Vet should run an "IDEXX Canine Diarrhea Panel" from your dogs stool sample if not already been done. One of my dogs tested positive for Cryptosporidium bacteria. the panel covers other things also.
IMO, your vet has no common sense to argue against trying a dietary change.
it doesn't matter if the dogs' diet is what "you prefer". what matters is for things to be functioning in a healthy way.
first step with diarrhea is minimum fasting from food for 24 hrs minimum &/or until diarrhea stops.
irritated bowels need REST to recover from simple issues. That is basic fact.
begin solid food by trying small portions white rice. cooking rice in non-fatty, unsalted chicken broth is ok. no artificial ingredients.
If diarrhea does Not return then try increasing portions. then slowly add in some boiled chicken or turkey & gradually reduce rice, increasing the meat. Everything GRADUAL is important.
alternately, if you can't/won't try chicken, gradually add some canned dog food instead.
At least try a different brand with less rich meat as first method to wean off the rice.
If rice does not work after very careful & gradual increments, then dog may have it's own problem. sensitivities, irritable/inflammatory bowel syndrome etc. or any number of more difficult things to dx/ treat.

PS, even IF the vet treated with the antibiotic (Tylosin) for Cryptosporidium bacteria, some dogs are not able to go entirely off the med without some level of the illness resuming.
My dog has to be maintained on a minuscule daily dose. not the initial full dose.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
This is great advice and what I would do. Like stated if the bowels don't get a chance to rest and recover, it may not go away.
 
Hey man Here's my .02c as a second year vet student. Your vet sounds like an older vet?
I'm baffled at the recommendation to not change the food (since thats the easiest and cheapest thing thing to do), contrary to the commercials your dog is not a wolf ajd does not need that high protein content they boast and in your case its probably even harmful. Try him on another brand entirely but research It dont ask a pet store owner they only know what a food Rep tells them.
Test for crypto couldn't hurt but I have never heard of a idexx snap for a fecal.... they look at the poop under the microscope. You can run a pcr analysis for crypto though.
The most surprising piece of advice that leads me to believe your vet is older is the continued use of antibiotics. I assume its an oral antibiotic which inarguably has questionable absorption especially in an Animal with diarrhea since the lining is not working properly.

Bottom line- change food first to something sharing NONE of the same ingredients, buy a food thats been tested for use in animals ideally (science diet, iams, royal canine) if your feeding chicken and rice go lamb and potatoe or something completely new. As a bandaid try giving your dog one scoop of pumpkin to solidify his stools, may not work due to how chronic it is.
Give the food change a few weeks and do the change slowly

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Get a new vet and try a new dog food. Just because the food didn't bother the dog before, doesn't mean it can't now. A very good food for a very good price is Taste of the wild. You can get a 30lb bag for $44 on amazon with free shipping. Been feeding it to my 11 year old mutt for 3 years and it made a big difference in her overall health and energy. I believe it's also grain free. I would also avoid any chicken or rice combo in the near future until you can rule out a possible food allergy that your dog may have developed to one or the other.


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