I am very interested to know if any of the GSDs at the Leerburg Kennels have been diagnosed with Perianal Fistulae. If so, were any changes to the diet made for this?

Cindy,

I read your article about raw diets on the Leerburg site. I am very interested to know if any of the GSDs at the Leerburg Kennels have been diagnosed with Perianal Fistulae (a non-healing abscess adjacent to the anus). And if so where any changes to the normal diet made because of this condition?

This condition is very common with GSDs I am told. My Irish Setter [7.5 yr.] has been treated for the condition for over two years with little result. Because some research indicates that it is an autoimmune related illness and could be related to allergies, I have been on a long journey trying to find the right diet which may help. The first trial was to change his diet to a fish/sweet potato high-end kibble. Subsequently, we began seeing a holistic vet and he began am acupuncture and supplements treatment. We first transitioned completely from all commercial dog food to diet of cooked hamburger, mackerel, steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots & cauliflower), wild salmon oil supplement and --- eliminated all carbohydrates except sweet potato. She recommended cooked meat because she theorized that the body had infection going on related to the PF and that the raw diet would strain the digestive system and take energy from healing. His coat is looking much better but his fistulae is much worse!

The vet has also encouraged following the anti-inflammatory diet regime (no poultry of any kind, only wild caught fish)? however, she encouraged the use of hamburger? but now through our readings we are getting mixed messages about beef in general being inflammatory.

Therefore, I am interested both in any comments about raw chicken (and poultry) and any inflammatory concerns about this and most particularly if you have experienced dogs with the PF problem and any dietary suggestions you may have.

Thank you,
Trish