I am concerned about EPI. He only eats every other meal and I feed him 1 1/2 cups twice a day?? Oh and he throws up/dry heeves every other morning? I do not feed him any table scraps either?Can anyone help me?
2006-11-25 14:01:45 · 5 answers · asked by Jennifer M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
From what you describe, he sounds like he has a lot of acid in his stomach. Start out feeding him two heaping tablespoons of plain yogurt in each feeding. (Non-fat or low-fat is fine) The acidolpholis in the yogurt will help to get his digestion system back in working order.
Next, you need to feed him a high quality food, if you are not doing so already. Some good brands are: Canidae, Wellness, Chicken soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Newman's Own. All these foods are high quality foods. When you first bring the new food home, mix it half and half with the old food, and over a week or two, increase the new mixture with the old until he is finally on the better food 100%. This will help his digestive system adjust to the new diet gradually, without further upset.
Foods from the supermarket are very low quality and should be avoided. They contain a lot of sugars, salts, and carcinogins (ingredients that can lead to cancer).
To find the brands of foods, or foods like them, above, look in your yellow pages for local pet stores that advertise holistic pet foods. These foods are developed with the health of the pet in mind, instead of the attraction of advertising which leads to profits. These foods are more expensive, but you do not have to feed them as much, since the foods are not full of junk.
If you do not see results in your dogs eating and digestive problems within one week after changing your dogs diet and adding the yogurt, see a vet. You will continue to see positive changes over a period of three to six months on a high quality food.
2006-11-25 14:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by Animaholic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do is go to the vet and have a fecal exam and blood work done. Discuss the eating habits with your vet because no one can see your dog to really give you a good idea what is wrong and even if someone does give you advice what if it is wrong. I am not sure if vomiting is a symptom of EPI. With EPI weight loss is typical because the dog is not able to digest and absorb the food. Try a different food, one without fillers. The GSD (because of bad breedings, byb )have a high risk for EPI and it could be genetic. I had a GSD with this problem and he was literally starving to death. So Please get a professional opinion.
2006-11-25 22:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by Shepherdgirl § 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GSD's tend to have intestinal problems. I gave mine Prozyme every day, although I think there may be cheaper alternatives now.
And, as someone elese suggested, a good quality kibble.
2006-11-26 11:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you should him checked at your vets. Its not normal to vomit daily. It might be the brand of food.Try changing to a better quality of food.
2006-11-25 22:03:33 · answer #4 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he's allegic to somthing in the food?
2006-11-25 22:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by jam1577 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋