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by Ryanhaus on 14 March 2008 - 01:03
SORRY GUYS!!!
I WAS HAVING A MOMENT!
I'm all better now.....
(BTW POTLICKER, did it have any kind of kick to it?)
Shasta, I understand we're you are coming from, please someone, is there an Oops button!
by Ryanhaus on 14 March 2008 - 02:03
Oops,
(where)(sp)
by shasta on 15 March 2008 - 23:03
hee hee, just saw this, all good mirasmom...it's all good, we all have one of those moments every now and then:-)
by CCCK1966 on 14 March 2009 - 03:03
Hello. I have a 3 1/2 year old male who had the runs all the time it seemed. After ruling out EPI, I worked with a homeopathic/naturopathic DVM who tried a multitude of homeopathic treatments and the Okra Pepsin supplement. Finally we got him on 3 supplements made by Standard Process: Cal Ma+, LactEnz, Zypan This combo seems to do the trick.
The CalMa+ has bovine parathyroid in it and apparently this helps him absorb calcium properly. It is important to have bloodwork done periodically to make sure there's not too much calcium building in the system (which can lead to kidney stones). The other 2 supplements provide probiotic support, digestive enzymes and work acidify the gutt. We also had him on a strict diet of raw beef with cooked rice. I've recently been able to get him on Natural Balance Vennison & Sweet Potatoe kibble. He gets the raw meal in the morning & kibble right b4 bed. There was no diarrhea during the transition. There have been no incidents since early November. He was neutered in January, which may have had a calming effect on his system. I plan to start cutting back on the supplements to see how he does. The homeopathic vet indicated that he may reach a point of only needing the supplements a few times a week instead of daily.
The homeopathic vet asserts that his poorly timed 1st combo vaccine is most likely the cause of his troubles. He's been titered for rabies but I have no intention of exposing him to any further vaccines in his lifetime.
This has been a time and money consuming undertaking, but my boy is happy & healthy. I'm grateful for that and for the fact that the only time he pooped on the floor was when he was 9 weeks old. We've made many emergency sprints down the stairs & out of the house in the middle of the night, but he ALWAYS gave us adequate warning.
Good Luck
CCCK
The CalMa+ has bovine parathyroid in it and apparently this helps him absorb calcium properly. It is important to have bloodwork done periodically to make sure there's not too much calcium building in the system (which can lead to kidney stones). The other 2 supplements provide probiotic support, digestive enzymes and work acidify the gutt. We also had him on a strict diet of raw beef with cooked rice. I've recently been able to get him on Natural Balance Vennison & Sweet Potatoe kibble. He gets the raw meal in the morning & kibble right b4 bed. There was no diarrhea during the transition. There have been no incidents since early November. He was neutered in January, which may have had a calming effect on his system. I plan to start cutting back on the supplements to see how he does. The homeopathic vet indicated that he may reach a point of only needing the supplements a few times a week instead of daily.
The homeopathic vet asserts that his poorly timed 1st combo vaccine is most likely the cause of his troubles. He's been titered for rabies but I have no intention of exposing him to any further vaccines in his lifetime.
This has been a time and money consuming undertaking, but my boy is happy & healthy. I'm grateful for that and for the fact that the only time he pooped on the floor was when he was 9 weeks old. We've made many emergency sprints down the stairs & out of the house in the middle of the night, but he ALWAYS gave us adequate warning.
Good Luck
CCCK
by Vom Schutz on 23 March 2009 - 01:03
We have a dual purpose female german shepherd we imported through Johhn Henkel of Von Wilhendorf Kennels (Mr. Bred in America Respected Worldwide and Number One Kennel of 2008). When we recieved our import off the plane she had explosive diarrhea, which we attributed to her long flight, and we also found her to be very very very very underweight. Immediately I called Mr. Henkel about her physical appearance and he reassured me it was because he was working her SO hard to get her ready to work the streets.
After immediately taking her to the vet and being put on several anti diarrheal meds (metronidazole, tylan powder, etc...) we went home thinking her diarrhea would resolve. After some improvement on the meds over the next day our shepherd went from better to worse with every meal she ate even though on the meds. Off to the Vet we went again! With no help from our breeder AGAIN! Finally, after $3000 in testing in the next two weeks, just short of intestinal biopsy we were referred to a internal med specialist. He recommended sending out tests for EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiancy). After one day he diagnosed our female with EPI. Our internal med specialist theninformed us that about 70% of all dogs diagnosed with EPI are German Shepherds while 20% are Rough-coated Collies.
When German Shepherd can't digest their food, it will not be able to absorb all the food's nutrients properly. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can be potentially life threatening, especially in its acute form, (which it unfortunately already was upon receipt of our titled import) but EPI often responds well to ongoing and daily treatments when diagnosed and treated with the proper drugs.
Unfortunately I have been around shepherds my whole life and was unaware of this disease. I was unaware of how prevalent the disease is. Overall our shepherd now is beautiful and has come an EXTREMELY long way. She was 43 lbs when we recieved her off the plane. Today she is 95 and not overweight. Everytime we take her to the specialist now he looks at me and says I can't believe she is still alive!
Overall, I have learned two important lessons. 1. Keep pressuring your vets to find out what is wrong if your gut instinct tells you they are wrong, if they refuse to do more testing, go elsewhere. 2. NEVER NEVER NEVER by a dog from Wilhendorf Kennels. Mr. Henkel is a scam artist and to this day WILL NOT stand by his guarentee. We paid $9,500 for our import !!!!!! I NOW PAY $4800 A YEAR TO TREAT HER JUST FOR HER EPI ALONE! (which I don't have a problem with our female gets whatever she needs. I have a major problem with Wilhendorf Kennels and their so called guarentee) To this day John Henkel says there is not evidence of EPI in his lines when I have found 12 other dogs he has bred or imported with it since 2007!! Be careful with who you use to import your working dogs. If you are looking for a police canine like we were DO NOT USE THEIR KENNEL.
On the other hand our female is able to still work police work THANKFULLY! However when we imported her our department would not let her on the street to work for almost a YEAR! So lesson learned even though he has a flashy website, good credentials, they are not truly out for the betterment of the breed unless they were willing to acknowledge their faults and fix them.
If anyone has any questions in regards to meds or testing for EPI feel free to email me and I will help you the best as possible!
After immediately taking her to the vet and being put on several anti diarrheal meds (metronidazole, tylan powder, etc...) we went home thinking her diarrhea would resolve. After some improvement on the meds over the next day our shepherd went from better to worse with every meal she ate even though on the meds. Off to the Vet we went again! With no help from our breeder AGAIN! Finally, after $3000 in testing in the next two weeks, just short of intestinal biopsy we were referred to a internal med specialist. He recommended sending out tests for EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiancy). After one day he diagnosed our female with EPI. Our internal med specialist theninformed us that about 70% of all dogs diagnosed with EPI are German Shepherds while 20% are Rough-coated Collies.
When German Shepherd can't digest their food, it will not be able to absorb all the food's nutrients properly. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can be potentially life threatening, especially in its acute form, (which it unfortunately already was upon receipt of our titled import) but EPI often responds well to ongoing and daily treatments when diagnosed and treated with the proper drugs.
Unfortunately I have been around shepherds my whole life and was unaware of this disease. I was unaware of how prevalent the disease is. Overall our shepherd now is beautiful and has come an EXTREMELY long way. She was 43 lbs when we recieved her off the plane. Today she is 95 and not overweight. Everytime we take her to the specialist now he looks at me and says I can't believe she is still alive!
Overall, I have learned two important lessons. 1. Keep pressuring your vets to find out what is wrong if your gut instinct tells you they are wrong, if they refuse to do more testing, go elsewhere. 2. NEVER NEVER NEVER by a dog from Wilhendorf Kennels. Mr. Henkel is a scam artist and to this day WILL NOT stand by his guarentee. We paid $9,500 for our import !!!!!! I NOW PAY $4800 A YEAR TO TREAT HER JUST FOR HER EPI ALONE! (which I don't have a problem with our female gets whatever she needs. I have a major problem with Wilhendorf Kennels and their so called guarentee) To this day John Henkel says there is not evidence of EPI in his lines when I have found 12 other dogs he has bred or imported with it since 2007!! Be careful with who you use to import your working dogs. If you are looking for a police canine like we were DO NOT USE THEIR KENNEL.
On the other hand our female is able to still work police work THANKFULLY! However when we imported her our department would not let her on the street to work for almost a YEAR! So lesson learned even though he has a flashy website, good credentials, they are not truly out for the betterment of the breed unless they were willing to acknowledge their faults and fix them.
If anyone has any questions in regards to meds or testing for EPI feel free to email me and I will help you the best as possible!
by Uber Land on 23 March 2009 - 03:03
I would never buy a dog from a big name breeder such as wilhendorf kennel. you have to realize these people are only at the top cause they started out with money! they have connections with top judges! do they have nice dogs, some of them are, but some aren't deserving of the credit given to them.
the more $$ you spend on a dog does not guarantee the quality you will receive.
I will stick with small time breeders, ones who only work with a few dogs. there are very few well known kennels I would deal with.
the more $$ you spend on a dog does not guarantee the quality you will receive.
I will stick with small time breeders, ones who only work with a few dogs. there are very few well known kennels I would deal with.
by olskoolgsds on 23 March 2009 - 07:03
Lib,
When you say chronic diarrhea are you talking about chronic loose stool. There is a difference. Some dogs just have loose stool for their life, probably genetic, but it is hard for me to imagine that if it is actually diarrhea that the dog would still be living. They can have diarrhea only so long before they get dihydrated and die. Are you sure this is what you are talking about?
When you say chronic diarrhea are you talking about chronic loose stool. There is a difference. Some dogs just have loose stool for their life, probably genetic, but it is hard for me to imagine that if it is actually diarrhea that the dog would still be living. They can have diarrhea only so long before they get dihydrated and die. Are you sure this is what you are talking about?
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