I have a 3 year old german shepherd that is unable to gain weight and looks very malnourished. I have run several rounds of blood tests on her, which shows that she possibly has SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). She has been on 7 weeks of antibiotics (metronidazole and doxy) as well as a prescription diet (purina EN). Nothing seems to help her. Any suggestions?
2006-09-13 16:32:15 · 9 answers · asked by IndyVetTech 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
According to all the references, dogs with this disease many times have to be on antibiotics long term since the bacteria in their intestines causes them to not be able to absorb much food. She eats 2-3 meals per day and gets lots of treats.
2006-09-13 16:45:45 · update #1
Try to change her diet to another food. the food i would recommend is Lifes Abundance, it's a dry food which they will ship via UPS straight to your door. If you like I have a link from my website to the dog food. The website is www.americandogtraining.com
check in the "what's in your dog food?" section and it will get you straight to the food. Give it a try, it helps a lot of dogs, i highly recommend the food to anybody who wants a healthier dog.
2006-09-13 16:37:56 · answer #1 · answered by georgia1402 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skinny Dog?
If it would be my dog, I would work with Dinshah Color MedicineTM. Animals in general react very favorable toward it.
The color needed can be dowsed by a good dowser (working with a pendulum), or the dog herself may determine the color. Shining one of the 12 Dinshah colors on the dog at a time and watching, if the dog tries to get away after a short time, or seems to like that color. Info how to start with Dinshah Color MedicineTM at http://www.biochakra.com , click store, click Cosmic LeafTM No. 2 ($2.99 for instant downloading).
The dog herself may tell what color she needs.
How could color work? Different colors have different frequenies. The Dinshah colors are attuned to healthy life energy and thus can entrain unhealthy life energy.
The Dinshah color filters (gels) are placed in a self-made filter holder (see Cosmic LeafTM No. 2), which is taped to a regular reading lamp with a 15 watts bulb. A regular session is 1 hour, however, animals often need far, far less, may be a few minutes. The session can be repeated later.
You may want to inquire at http://www.dinshahhealth.org about how to get the correct color filters. Also a package of filters and lamp is available.
For a nervous dog, who cannot gain weight: Bachflowers may also be helpful. The correct Bachflower(s) may be dowsed.
Hypericum Perforatum may calm the nerves of the dog(homeopathic remedy, health food store).
How about mixing fresh food under the dog food, e.g. wild rice, steamed vegetables, a bit of alfalfa or cooked oats. See what your dog likes. Also letting her chew some self grown wheat grass may be beneficial. Most dogs like to eat grass, and fresh wheat grass is especially rich in mineals and vitamins. (See Viktoras Kulvinskas, Survival into the 21st Century)
Best I feel is to start with very small amounts of fresh food, otherwise the dog may cleanse too fast, weakening the sytem. Small steps are much better.
My question is, what did dogs eat before dogfood was invented? Left overs from people food.
See if any of these suggestions may help your dog. The dog may be too acidic. Wild rice and vegetable may make her more alkaline.
There may also be toxins in the house bothering te dog. E.g. mercury from wall paint or arsenic from moth balls or clothing which had been in moth balls (even before buying it). Further pesticides and herbicides, even when used only around the house, not inside, may affect the dog. Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell and toxins may be overwhleming for them. Detoxification of the house could then be helpful.
Wishing you a happy and healthy dog.
Cordially, India.Magica
2006-09-14 00:12:40 · answer #2 · answered by india.magica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would (and did) take my dog to a holistic vet. The vet, in turn would put you on a better diet than Purina, give your dog healthier herbs and eliminate the need for certain drugs (that made my dog worse.) Mine gets hamburger with Urban Wolf mixed in. Others would give you other choices, as well. Anyway, my hopeless dog ills are nearly gone, after just under a month---finally!
2006-09-13 23:44:20 · answer #3 · answered by dogfrenzied 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seriously doubt after all that expense, you want us to help you with that. But, having worked in the veterinary field, I can tell you that all vets are not the same! If your vet has no answers, and you love the dog, go to another vet. Seven weeks of antibiotics would be making your dog have diahrrea (? does it?) and other problems. Isn't 7 wks of antibiotics TOO much? Get another VET!
2006-09-13 23:41:37 · answer #4 · answered by ravin_lunatic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you feeding her more than once a day? (I ask because some feed their dogs only once per day) Maybe add an additional small feeding, or add "treats" to give her additional calories. Other than that I really don't know. If she's had the blood work done and the vet isn't finding anything maybe she's just burning more calories than she's taking in.
2006-09-13 23:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by fiestyredhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my dog has the same or had the same problem, i treated her for tape worms and feed he a diet of wet and dry mixed 2x a day in a week there was a major improvement, she is in full recovery now
2006-09-13 23:37:34 · answer #6 · answered by armympmom1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find out more about the condition she might be depressed.
2006-09-13 23:37:48 · answer #7 · answered by fammo386 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
deworm her or have her checked for tape worms...she will be fine after that...good luck
2006-09-13 23:43:38 · answer #8 · answered by Gina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
filet mignon... that always does the trick... my dogs love it!
2006-09-13 23:40:11 · answer #9 · answered by cb 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋