Bree, I understand what you are going through, My GSD is suddenly turning up his nose at raw. First he stopped eating bones, then he just got picky and would not eat within 20 minutes so I picked up food. he got the same food for dinner, still didn't want. This dog has been a poor eater since I got him at 8 weeks. he has been checked for worms and none found. He will nibble at the raw if I leave it but about 1/3 is left alone. He got severe diarhhia the last four days, and would nopt eat the yogurt and cottage I made him. I took to the vet, she frowned on the raw, said he might have gotten bactiria from uncooked food. After a two hundred dollar vet bill I still don't know what to do. He hates kibble, but I'm going to try him on Innova. This is a full sized GSD that only weighs 63 pounds. I'm getting very frustrated.

Kim
My bitch was a finiky eater also.
Then I feed her two or three times in a run beside a dog that inhaled its food. Compatition I guess, but now she eats it all in a reasonable time.
Ron

My GSD female has been on a raw diet for a few months now (seems longer...). I've been feeding her turkey/chicken necks/backs, gizzards and hearts occassionally, with some recreational marrow bones on the weekends. I give all of these whole - Kayla loves chewing on the turkey wings !I also freeze a veggie and a fruit mixture in ice cube trays and give her one of each every night. She also gets yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, flaxseed and oil. I've limited grains to barley (cooked) and oats (I soften those in yogurt overnight). She seems to be doing very well. I'm lucky to have a vet that specializes in raw diets for vets - she's been very supportive. I hope this helps ! Happy feeding.

Since my last post on this subject, we got a GSD pup. My male now wolfs down his food, because she will take it if he leaves it. (Ron was right) So now I have two chow hounds and life is good. both look and feel great.

I have a 9 yr old GSD, PSD that has been diagnoised with Degenerative Myelopathy. The Dr. (associated with Iowa State University Vet Program) recommended this site to read http://www.neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm

I would appreciate those of you who are feeding raw to look this 13 page research over. I have been following the diet / excerise / and vitamin supplement very regular. The medicine they mentioned later in the article (can't afford)the only med the dog is on right now is predizone, 1/2 a 10 mg tab every other day. Within the 4 weeks I have started this - I have seen a very noticeable upbeat difference in the activity of my dog.

Would or could the raw diet help a dog out with this medical problem. I have always fed dry.

Looking for some thoughts.

Thanks
Mark

Mark, I am sorry to read that your dog is suffering this condition. Keep up with this more wholesome diet, however I would lean to a more raw diet than the cooked foods and grains suggested in the article. Also avoid the nightshade veggies (green peppers). Vitamin supplements, especially the C and E are essential.

He is thorough in his supplements, also consider apple cider vinegar and yucca. I am not a fan of prednisone, however, if you continue this treatment remember to give your dog non-dairy probiotics and some raw pumpkin to keep the pipes flowing (the preds constipate terribly).

The advice about swimming is great! (If you can) My working dog may have possibly torn his cruciate ligament, so off to the sea we go for exercise, otherwise he would be in a serious depression w/o exercise, which is just as important as a healthy diet. Also consider accupuncture.

All of these processed foods, whether for people or animals are terrible and compromise our health. Even people who are diagnosed with illness and disease and wholesomely change their diet and lifestyle have wonderful outcomes. Same goes for our pets. Good Luck and don't despair, keep the positive changes going!