Susan,

I thought about that too but on page 1 she stated that she had her pancreas checked and the bloodwork came back normal.

Does anyone think the dogs hip problems are related to it not getting enough nutrition from vomiting all the time?

Hi Kathy, Do you think this is something worth re-checking? I don't know very much about PI, but it sure fits what she is describing. Since all I know is what little I have read about it, I don't know how accurate the test is for it.

The only thing that doesn't add up though is with PI they usually have increased appetite.

As for the hips being related to mal-nutrition. While I think a dog that was starving would certainly be lethargic and perhaps a little wobbly it should not have difficulty getting up or be bunny hopping at the run. I think all these dogs problems are a result of puppy mill breeding. The breeding stock in those facilities are usually horribly kept, not fet a good diet, not health screened etc. It's a combination of environmental and genetic factors in this case.

Poor puppy. I can imagine how devastating dealing with this and how hard seeing her this way must be for her owner.

Yes, I admire the owner for trying to help this pup, but it has got to be heartbreaking.

Hi Susan, I am from Colorado. Trust me I have tried just about all I can try for Abby. She is a beautiful Shepherd, just so many health problems. I am going to have her checked for the allergies, but I'm not even sure this is going to help our situation. As they say a healthy puppy won't starve themselves, but in Abby's case she's not healthy, so she has no problem starving her self. I really love this puppy, that is why I took her, but I never imagined going through this much heartache with her. I can do everything in my power to help her, but I do believe I am fighting a loosing battle. Everyday she gets a little worse, but again there are some good days she has, and that is what gives me hope. Thank you everyone for all your kind words and advise. You all have been so nice.

Did you fast her for 12 hours before doing the EPI test??? If not then I would recommend doing that as if the dog wasn't fasted the results are not accurate. Also, has she been tested for SIBO which is a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines?? They can do this test at the same time they do the EPI test. Bacterial overgrowth is very common in GSD's and most dogs respond well to Tylan soluable powder, which is an antibiotic that is very safe.

I am concerned about the pain in the stomach upon palpitation though. Not sure what that could be from.

I'm very sorry for what you're going through, Judy.

That pup would probably not still be alive if it had been with anyone else... your devotion and patience with her are admirable.

Have you tried the obvious: switching her immediately to an all-natural raw diet? And NEVER vaccinating her again?
If there is something badly wrong with her internally, it may not be enough to save her, but it makes sense to feed her right to give her the best chance possible.

We thought for 10 years that out female shepherd was allergic to chicken, turkey, lamb, rice, ragweed etc. etc. etc. until we switched her to raw at 10 years of age.
Almost overnight, all her problems seemed to disappear. After almost a year since being switched to raw, she hasn't had a single episode of vomiting, bad stools, not eating, scratching, bad allergies, lethargy and so on (which were common for her when she was on kibble, no matter which brand we tried).

Turns out she isn't allergic at all to chicken or anything else. I've fed her more types of meats than I can remember on raw and she hasn't had trouble with any of it. For the first time in 10 years she's eating very well and eagerly, and has put on some weight. Her arthritis, lethargy and itchy skin have also gone...

Not saying that raw feeding is magic, because it isn't, but it's the best thing you could be feeding her.

Don't give her any more processed foods, and no more grains.

Hopefully, if she isn't too sick, you'll be able to convince her to eat enough good foods to have a positive effect on her.

Good luck!

Sorry to hear you are going through all of this with Abby...I can sympathize as I've had a lot of trouble with my GSD. She was recently diagnosed with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) and SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth).

I'm wondering what kind of bloodtest your vet ran. Has he done a complete blood panel and a TLI test? What about testing for Cobalamin (b12) and Folate levels, as low B12/high folates indicates SIBO?

I, too, think going raw would be the way to go for this girl...even homecooked with a grain-free mixer like The Honest Kitchen or Urban Wolf.

You may also want to check out some supplements offered by http://www.b-naturals.com. I love their Immune Blend and Green Blend. I am also going to be putting my dog on the Digestion Blend, but I am waiting to see how the pancreatic enzymes that I have begun adding to her food work.

Good Luck,
Melissa

Hi Melissa, We did do a complete blood panel on Abby Everything looked good, but when I look at her chemistry her ALT is low, her TBIL is low, her ALKP is high, and her K is high. Her vet said this is fine, since she is a growing puppy. Her TLI test came back normal and I know Chris wrote earlier that she need to be fasted for 24 hours before the test. Before we did that test she hadn't ate for 4 days. This is how Abby works though she will eat great for a few days and than see does not eat for 3 or 4 days. This is how it has been since we got her. Now for the raw diet I don't even know where to start with that. I don't know anything about feeding raw diet.