What causes German shepherds to have diarrhea?
When a German Shepherd Dog experiences idiopathic diarrhea and vomiting, veterinarians generally suspect canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is because the breed is predisposed to the chronic gastrointestinal condition. A disease that occurs more commonly in middle-aged large-breed dogs, IBD cannot be cured.
How do you know if your dog has an EPI?
What are the usual signs of the condition? Young adult dogs are often affected and have chronic diarrhea or very soft, bulky, fatty looking feces, excessive appetites, occasional vomiting, and gradual weight loss over a period of months.
What causes low enzymes in dogs?
The most common cause of EPI in dogs is idiopathic pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA). The enzymes responsible for aiding the digestion of starches, fats, and proteins, are produced by cells in the pancreas known as pancreatic acinar cells. PAA develops when these cells fail to function properly, thereby leading to EPI.
How do I know if my dog has an enzyme deficiency?
Symptoms of Lack of Digestive Enzymes in Dogs
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Inability to properly digest meals.
- Malabsorption.
- Weight loss despite increased appetite.
- Pale, loose, greasy or foul smelling stools.
- Coprophagia (stool eating)
- Pica (consumption of non-food items)
Is it normal for a German Shepherd to have diarrhea?
Just like their people, German Shepherd dogs can develop diarrhea at any age and stage of life. And just like in people, diarrhea in German Shepherds should never be ignored. It is a sign from your dog’s digestive system that something is amiss.
How to diagnose pancreatic enzyme deficiencies in German Shepherd?
Get additional blood tests. Once the vet has ruled out conditions your dog doesn’t have, the vet will order another round of blood tests (checking trypsin-like activity, folate and cobalamin levels) to evaluate your German Shepherd’s bowel function.
Can a German Shepherd be sensitive to the gut?
Unfortunately, the German Shepherd’s sensitivity isn’t only in their head and heart. Sometimes the GSD can have a lot of sensitivity in the gut as well. This can lead to a number of concerning health issues, not the least of which is diarrhea.
Is there an enzyme supplement for German Shepherds?
Also, enzyme tablets do not get broken down consistently once they reach the stomach, so they may not give your German Shepherd enough enzyme to get better. Gel-coated capsules filled with the enzyme powder are also available, but they are not very effective. Viokase-V is the name of the powder enzyme supplement.
Why does my German Shepherd have diarrhea all the time?
If your German Shepherd’s gut cannot properly absorb nutrients due to bacterial overgrowth, diarrhea will occur. If your German Shepherd continues to have diarrhea with pancreatic enzyme supplementation, the bacteria are probably the culprit.
What kind of disease does a German Shepherd have?
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Dogs. EPI may affect a dog’s gastrointestinal system, as well as general nutrition, and can cause problems such as weight loss and chronic diarrhea. The condition is thought to be hereditary in German Shepherds. The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats.
Get additional blood tests. Once the vet has ruled out conditions your dog doesn’t have, the vet will order another round of blood tests (checking trypsin-like activity, folate and cobalamin levels) to evaluate your German Shepherd’s bowel function.
Why does my GSD have a lot of diarrhea?
Small intestinal diarrhea is usually caused by bacterial and viral infections, parasites, food sensitivities, IBD, ingested garbage, poison, or foreign objects. In this type of diarrhea, your GSD may pass large amounts of stool about three to five times per day, without straining. If there’s blood in the stool, it may appear black.