Diatomaceous Earth and pregnant GSD bitches - Page 1

We started our entire kennel on DE beginning last summer. Our two most recent litters, out of two different bitches and two different sires, included one stillborn in the litter of 4, and 2 stillborn in a litter of nine. We are worried because this has so seldom happened before and certainly never with two litters in a row. The DE is the only thing we are doing differently. So, my question to other breeders out there is: should we be worried about the use of DE? We have researched the topic thoroughly on the internet and can find no such allegation or even mere mention of any bad side effects. Anybody want to share their thoughts on this one?

Was the DE used food grade?

yes

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Well I surely would be suspicious: it will be interesting to see what our scientific members think. Although I presently am not using it, don't know if I will either after this. Thx for sharing, hope other puppies are structurely sound, active and healthy for life. You just never know... Nan

Have used food grade DE for years.......have had no ill effects......no dead pups.
Jill

Thanks JillSue, We have had an occasional dead puppy/still born out of the litters over the years, so we believe that is normal. Also, we have been feeding only one teaspoon per day per feeding per day. We really prefer the coat and body condition that our dogs exhibit while on DE. Also, one strong observation..... we had a born-here female, that we kept on a rotational worming program with the rest of the gang, that was on it (DE) for a half a year then whelped out puppies, and we decided to worm them with Pyrantel pomoate at 4 weeks, and they had round worms come out. So.... curious as to how it is effective at this point.

I started using it over a month ago on two of my pregnant females,next month I should be able to answer if has any effect on the pregnancy or the puppies.

After reading many articles and doing a lot of research should have no side effect,nor any effect beside getting rid of parasites,flees ,tape worms,and so on.

Thanks for the response Nans GSD and OldShatterHand. With the mother on DE one teaspoon per day, her puppies still had worms...Which raises more questions in our minds about what really are the health benefits.

I give two tablespoons a day,and I tell you the tapeworms were coming out like the first 3 weeks,but last couple of weeks i don't see any,so seems like is working .I think one teaspoon is not enough especially for feeding mother and the quantity of food she is getting now. i would just increase the DE and see what happened,and hope will work ,beside I would also worm puppies with Nemex-2. I worm my puppies when they are 2 weeks old,and do it every week till they are about 6 weeks and than i do every other week till I put them on Heartguard when they are about 3 months old.