Hi all, I posted a message a couple of days ago regarding my GSD, Foggy, his weight loss and albumin levels.  We have now had all his results back.  Liver and kidney functions are normal but it is found that the protein loss is through his gut and not his urine. Foggy's Vitamin B12 count was really low so our vet has advised a Vitamin B injection once per month and to change his diet to Royal Canin Sensitivity Control.  I'm not too happy about the dietary change as, over the last four years, we have tried most of the 'expensive' dry foods and some of the cheaper ones, none of which suited him.

I'm not very clued up on nutrition etc but am going to discuss witht the vet as I have heard that a diet of fish and potatoes may be good for him as it has protein and carbohydrates.  My next question will be 'what amount do I feed'?  If anyone has any answers, advice, comments, I will be pleased to receive them.  My boy was doing really well on Naturediet (nice poo's etc) and now the food thing has started over again. 

On a positive note it means Foggy's condition is controllable, which is the main thing, and on a mercenary note the insurance will pay for the difference between the cost of his food now and the cost of Royal Canin!

Regards - June

Hi June,

I'm glad that things are moving forward for Foggy and that some of your anxiety will be lifted :)

On a personal level, I'd query the vet at the diet change and ask if you could simply proceed with the existing food but perhaps increase the daily ration - probably by adding a late night extra meal.  That way, apart from not risking a tummy upset by complete food change over, your vet would be better able to establish whether the monthly vitamin B12 shot is improving his condition ;)

I'm not a vet so am merely recommending you run this by your own vet and guage the reaction - as I said it's what I would do if in your position.

Please update when you can and I hope you notice a gain in Foggy's weight soon.
Best wishes, Teri :)

Keishas had alot of tests done on her due to extremly rapid weight loss, she is now on steroids (dont really want her on them) and on a prescription diet.  i asked for a copy of all her blood results and they gave them to me fine, but now ive had a look at them, im going to question them on mon when I go in again.  as there seems to be alot on there that they havent mentioned and what they are going to do about them.  I bet they think im a really annoying owner, but she's so skinny its really quite scary. 

hope all is well with foggy

Hi Sarah,

I hope all goes well with your own vet visit and of course for Keisha - I replied to your latest update on her but Admin asked that you continue on your original thread.  Never be self conscious about querying treatment or what future routes your vet may be contemplating - I'm sure he/she won't think you're annoying and realise that you are simply a naturally concerned and caring owner.  

Good luck, Regards, Teri  :)

Hi, EPI is an auto immune disease prevelant in the gsd, B12 is given for a condition called SIBO which can be secondary to epi. I really think you should get your vet to  do a TLI test for epi, the link below gives more info on them. There is also a condition called *leaky gut syndrome* but I`m having trouble getting the page to load right now :)

http://www.gsdhelpline.com/boweldis.htm
http://www.gsdsrus.freeserve.co.uk/epi3.html

Scroll down for info on EPI & SIBO
http://www.dogaware.com/specific.html#ibd

Christine, Spain.

Thanks to you all for your replies.

Foggy has had a TLI test and I will specifically ask for the results of this. He is back at the vet this morning for his B12 injection.  I have continued feeding him his normal diet but with an addition of white fish.  One of my questions this morning is to be his change of diet.  I'm afraid I'm always suspicious of prescription foods, not that I think there is anything wrong with them, but I feel they are a bit of a money spinner.  I would like to know what this prescription food has that I can't give him in a more natural way.  I have done a bit of research and it seems the food prescribed is made up from capelin (white fish) and tapioca so he is getting a source of protein and carbohydrate.  I can't understand why he can't have his normal food (Naturediet) and maybe halve the quantity and make up the rest with white fish and potatoes. He hasn't got on with dry food in the past so I am really loathe to change back.  Whilst I prepare his dinner he will sit and wait patiently and is eager to eat it, whereas with dry food (I used to soak it) he was always a bit reluctant to eat it.

It has been explained to me what Foggy's problem is but my next question will be does his condition actually have a name!  

I have another GSD, Mia, who appears to have an iron stomach!  She would eat anything I put in front of her without any effect on her poo/wind etc.  She also gets a taster of fish so as not to feel left out.

I will let you know how we get on.

Regards - June

I'm sorry to hear that Keisha also has weight loss and hope that she gets on OK on Monday.

My vet must find me really annoying too as anything he tells me, I search on the internet, and then go back with 100 questions.  I know a little knowledge is not good but I don't want to take what I'm told as gospel.

Foggy had his B12 injection this morning, which was fine.  They have also given him a short course of antibiotics in case there is any bacterial infection in his gut.  The TLI results were fine and his condition is mal-absorption.  Apparently he finds it difficult to digest food which is why they have advised a prescription diet.  I can't feed him 'normal' dog food as he can't digest it, the same goes for fish and potato.  According to our vet the Sensitivity Control is a highly digestible food which will enable him to receive the protein he needs.  He doesn't have a food intolerance, ie vomitting etc so I can continue to give him his treats but I must cut them down by 1/3rd and though they will not do him any harm they equally will not do him any good because they are not easily digested and he is not getting anything from them. 

I will try him on the Sensitivity Control and take him back in 4-6 weeks for a weigh-in.  What suits one dog may not suit another so we'll have to wait and hope for favourable results.

You mention Keisha is on steroids.  Many years ago I rescued a 6 year old GSD from people who lived in caravans, he was approx 25 kg when I got him.  The vet put him on a course of steroids and we never looked back.  He was fed on Chappie and weighed approx 40kg+ when we had to have him PTS four years later,  due to unrelated ill health.  Though I wasn't keen on giving him steroids they certainly seemed to help.

Hope all is well with Keisha, please keep us posted.

Kind regards.

http://www.dogaware.com/specific.html#ibd

Sounds as though it may be SIBO or Leaky Gut Syndrome perhaps, scroll down to the appropriate part in the above link.

Vitamin B12 is often depleted in metabolic conditions of this kind as it is in prolonged antibiotic use and/or dire rear.

You need to understand what exactly is the problem and if and why the diet he is prescribing will address this issue.  It is vital to understand the actual cause which results in the symptoms you describe and to evaluate whether the proposed course of treatment will treat the symptoms or remove the cause, the two are not necessarily the same.

Personally in the information you have supplied on this  board so far I am at a loss to understand what difference the proposed diet change will make.