Will, OMG, that site is actually frightening...Nikko looked like that when I first got him in August of 2010...he was 9 months and I was a little freaked out by that...but he did put weight on, SLOWLY...but his stools never looked that bad, I guess I am lucky...wow...you know, its funny, and I'm not sure you had experienced this with your dog, but it seems that the topic of the day, every time the dog goes out is "how was the stools?" To you and I, and to everyone that has a pet, they would understand...my mom on the other hand who's 78, does not understand and does not wish to discuss the stools of my dogs, colour, consistency, etc. My husband used to be the SAME EXACT way as my mom, but I have him trained now, depending on who gets up first for work, we always leave the remains on the front porch and label who's it is. But the site is amazing...scary to some effect. I thank you for showing it, as I would like to educate more people on this...including one of my vets that I tend to use when less "important" things need to be done. For the big things, I have to go to someone else.

How low did your Airedale live if you don't mind me asking? Did you find him hard to maintain? Nikko weights 70 lbs. and still could use some mean on him, but I guess I can deal with the 70...at least for now until we get him on the right food and enzymes. Leerburg site has been amazing...there is knowledge from everyone which makes it so great.

As far as the enzymes being costly, yes, totally, but my vet actually ordered me Viokase V at his cost, after I had already ordered some yesterday...he had called me and told me to cancel the order and he placed it for me which was nice. I may get ticked off at him as many times we don't see eye to eye, but Dr. J has a heart, and that is more than most have.

Thanks again for the link and the input!!!

HI Barbara,
Hum...OK, let me think a sec. There was a dermatologist that did allergy and immunology at one practice and she TOTALLY believes in skin testings...the holistic place does not. My MAIN vet does not believe in any type of allergy testings, as he feels that if a dog has allergies to the extreme when it comes to foods, you will see swelling around the face like a human would get...he also said, not that its factual or not, but if a dog has grass allergies, you'd know just by taking notes when the dog is outside and when happens when itching and scratching occurs. I really don't know, as everyone has their own opinion on allergies.

But the actual Dermatologist said skin testings are a must...the others say no.

I wish I would have met and spoken to you prior to getting all of Nikko's allergy BLOOD's done, as they cost me $1200, and my husband is livid. He feels they did not address the other issues which were more important, such as his heart and stools...

Wow, that is an amazing link...Thank you for sending it, it just now makes me feel that the OTHER huge practice I use, just basically kicked me in the rear as I was walking out the door, calling me a jerk...oye...I'm sick to my stomach now...

...but thanks...seems as though a good number of us get a huge runaround...darn...that really hurt my pocket...but awesome...I'm still feeling a tad sore in my hind quarters though

Hi, I think Nikko has SIBO also...I was just very adamant about giving Flagyl / Metronidizole for such a long period of time...I was told that it destroys the bone marrow with continued use as well as making the dogs feel nausea...what is your take on Flagyl? I personally can't take it for myself due to allergies, but for my stomach issues and Crohn's I use only holistic unless the need for a steroid drip is necessary, like last week when I was just SO upset and stressed out over Nikko. It tossed my year long "record" of no flares to a major flare which landed me in the ER...I use Manuka active honey, arsenicum, and a few other things just to avoid the Crohn's meds...I wonder if arsenicum would be OK to use in our dogs with any type of IBD? Hum...

Nikko is still getting the gurgles and still has cow patty stools...I had a day or two where I was lucky to get one piece that was 'normal' but we are still trying...

I am just a little annoyed as I kept asking the vet WHY Nikko was getting what he called bacterial overgrowth, and he said it was due to the raw diet I was feeding him...I never had issues with Bravo, but he made me take him off...now that I think about this, it seems as though he was better on raw.

In any event, I await my shipment of raw cow pancreas and we'll see how he does...at this point, my husband and I would try anything for him...he deserves it. The link is good reading info, and I am so amazed about all of this. I would like to hear more takes on Flagyl, opinions, etc., as my old time vet that died always used it, now I am hearing scary things about it...I want more info.

Tripe really is smelly, especially as it thaws, but I liked it. Funny, I was told when I got my new pup that she was on a total raw diet, however when I got her, she would not touch raw...in fact, she only will eat Taste of the Wild Lamb OR Ocean Fish...I CANT get her to touch raw anything, except the raw unpasteurized goats milk from Answers Pet Food...they also make a raw diet in patties, and also have the raw goats milk which has active cultures, enzymes and if I am not mistaken, molasses or some type of anti inflammatory honey or something...but I won't give that to Nikko now, as I was told dairy would not be good for him at this point.

This is a lot for me to digest (no pun intended), just a ton of info...I always like the raw goats milk, now the vet is saying its horrendous...I only found it to be really good...gheesh.

Stupid question probably, but if EPI slows down the passage of food through the gut, wouldn't that make feeding raw somewhat risky?

Good question, anyone care to comment? My reason for wanting to switch back to raw is due to the fact of the numerous allergies Nikko has...in addition, he never did good on any other food aside from raw. My vet removed him from raw in mid January as there was a lot of black tarry stools, which were positive for blood. Now to some, they say that the reason I was getting a positive occult fecal test for blood, was due in fact to the raw diet...however, someone else commented that when an animal ingests and keeps licking a wound that is bleeding, the stool can also become black...also, I got another comment that Melena, (blood in the stomach or esophagus) will cause black tarry stools, as Nikko was getting as the blood from the stomach and upper areas will indeed be black, as opposed to if the blood was coming from the lower bowel, where sometimes the stool is bright red or red..sometimes maroon if the dog has a hard stool or is constipated...but I love this question...I hope we get some comments on this, thank you for your post. Nice dog BTW! love the photograph/shot...

Aaron, I forgot to mention that Nikko never was able to do well on any thermally processed food...even home cooking.

Holly,
My Airedale lived to 11 1/2 years old, I put a SchH II and a UDT on him, so he was really a good working dog.

He lived a good life, and once we took the steps needed to treat his EPI he was in good health for the rest of his life.

If it hadn't been for his EPI he would have been bred frequently ( he was highly titled for an Airedale ), but I neutered him soon after his diagnosis so he had no offspring......a shame, I would have loved a puppy out of him.

Rest in peace Hector, I still love you boy.
I need to stop typing before I start crying....

Will, SchH II and UDT is a commitment, I'm so glad he lived a long life. He had a good home. I'm sure he knows you miss him...you will be together again. I wanted a pup out of Nikko also, but that will never happen, so I totally understand what you mean...Sorry you had to deal with that. I do love the link with the photos though...serious dog, I love his looks!

that picture on the forum is of Bindi, my other dog. I have two female terriers and one male. I am going to be putting a picture of them all on soon as my husband can help me.
Cody is currently taking b12 injections. He will have them for 6 weeks, then we will recheck and at that time I hope to be meeting with the vet to discuss what we can do. I have a call in to the vet today, my cody was just not acting like himself today. He would play, but get tired easily. He is usually a maniac and wears us all out. I understand the pain you feel at not seeing your pups at its best. I want my dogs to live the best dog life they can. I used to feed green tripe too. I have fed raw for about 2-1/2 to 3 years. My other dogs are doing fine. I am going to find out what other blood tests I can do for cody to rule things out.
Well, I am sure we will find the answers. I am excited that you are moving forward with your dog and I pray that you can find the right program to get Nikko feeling better. I wish I had a organic vet around here, but its an one hour drive, but we may have to do it. We were hoping it was closer to be able to get there when one of them is sick or something. I live in california in riverside county.
God bless you sharon

Hey Sharon, sounds like a plan, I always like photos, I'm sure the others do also So you are doing the B12 injections weekly? Hum...does you vet give you the bottle with syringes? My vet would, so its a consideration...Today Nikko goes for IV drip vitamin therapy I think if he needs it, OR perhaps just his B 12. I put him for now, back on raw Bison with no bone, and he likes it, of course with his Viokase...I tossed in some Solid Gold as this is a food I love, despite what some may think of it...just a cup, tonight he will get 2 lb of Bison. I use the Manuka honey, just a tad, in place of the carafate now, as I have better results...and unfortunately, everything soaks for an hour in the Viokase...if he gets impatient, I will give it to him after 1/2 hour. He likes to eat, which is a big plus. He did gain weight, actually three lbs. so 70 lbs. for an EPI dog is good. I only want the best for him. Don't we all.
What is wrong with Cody? We know our dogs and they exhibit the slightest thing out of their norm, we know...I would check with the vet just to see. Its too bad you are not near a holistic vet, or at least one that is willing to think outside the box. I have one that is, and he will stay in Nikko's and Stela's life forever...so far, she seems OK, but again, she will come today just for a well check.
I am not sure where Riverside County is, but why not call Dr. Jean W. Dodd's at Hemopet in Cally? She is open to discuss if you want to call her, that is how I met her...someone referred me to her when I was losing my last shepherd, and since then, she's been wonderful with all my dogs. I find her to be very professional and really good, and in fact, she is giving a seminar this upcoming July around my birthday, so I'll be going...its a 7 hour drive to Pittsburgh PA from here, but I'm going as they are focusing on holistic, vaccinations, and more, and I want to see her just to meet her, as anything she has ever done for Laurel and Nikko, as been via phone, mailed bloods, and consults with the vets here, and I am very pleased she has come into my life...being you are already in CA, why not drop her a line first, her site is hemopet.com, and she also runs a Greyhound rescue facility. I admire her, and she has only done right by me, so check her out and give her a holler...if she is not there, leave her a message and she will get back to you...she travels ALL over the world, but she will indeed email you back, so be sure to include a very detailed letter for her, and she will respond. I think its a thought for your dogs, even the healthy ones.
Be well, blessings to you, and your fur babies