8mth old GSD - unwell or a food intolerance?

#1 23-05-11, 06:08 PM

My 8 month old GSD, Sasha, has recently been vomiting alot, it got to the stage where it was almost daily.

We initially thought it was where she was chewing sticks etc and that she had bits lodge in her throat.

After a few days of no improvement I took her to the vets who examined her and going by the symptoms believed it may be where she has too much acid in her stomach. Physically shes fine, her stools are normal and she seems her normal playful self.

Shes started a course of anti-acids and as recommended by the vet, is on a diet of boiled chicken + rice / pasta for 2 weeks.

I think this has made her constipated so I have had to give her a tin of dog food every now and again,when I do it seems not long after she is sick again.

My first question is what else could I give her to add some variety to her diet?

I am starting to think it may be an intolerance to certain food, does anyone else's GSD have an intolerance to food? I know some dogs which do not agree with tripe...which I am informed is in the majority of dog food!

Any suggestions or simlar expriences would be appreciated.

zetstaff · #2 23-05-11, 06:35 PM

Sounds like a food problem doesn't it ? It is very important to just stick to the diet you've been given though, as if you're introducing other things, it's more difficult to get to the bottom of what's not agreeing with her.

To do a true test, you have to stick to the same thing for a number of weeks, no treats etc, just her food, + this may help rule out some things.

My bitch has a food allergy, it's been a nightmare, I have no idea what she's allergic to, but I now know what she can eat that doesn't affect her.

I'd stick to the diet, if it's ok reintroduce things gradually + whatever makes her sick keep away from. You can have allergy tests done but they're expensive + invasive + we (hopefully) got there in the end without them.

Good luck + please keep us posted x

wolfman · #3 23-05-11, 06:36 PM

Kind of interesting that this has come up..Just recently my Layla has been vomiting also. It's only in the mornings after she's gone out and I think she's eating bits of plants in the garden, as it didn't happen before the plants came up. I have not changed her diet in any way.

It's only a couple of times in the am after she's been out, but then it appears that her appetite is not as it was. Not really hungry until dinner time. She's much like your Sasha, seems physically fine, fit and playful.

Now perhaps your girl is doing it more than mine?

Tedsmum · #4 23-05-11, 06:41 PM

Hi, I don't know if this has any relevance to your situation because there are many possible explanations for vomiting. But my dog has always had a tendancy to vomit or try to vomit if he has an empty stomach. As a result we split his food into at least 2 and mostly 3 meals a day which seems to prevent it happening.
I would stop feeding the tinned food altogether if you think there is a link and keep to the bland diet. If she gets bunged up, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to her meals which should help.
I would then try to introduce a good quality dried food very gradually to her meal and see if she tolerates that. But I would take things very slowly, I woul want her to not have vomited for aleast a week before I started to introduce new stuff to her meals.
I hope you get to the bottom of it. x

Su-C · #5 23-05-11, 08:02 PM

Hi,

You could try using white fish instead of chicken if you want something a bit different. Mason definitely prefers it, and I found it less hassle than chicken. Got him the value bags from Sainsburys (£2 for about 5 fillets) and they can be microwaved in 1-2 mins so nice and quick.

Sue
x

#6 23-05-11, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedsmum

Hi, I don't know if this has any relevance to your situation because there are many possible explanations for vomiting. But my dog has always had a tendancy to vomit or try to vomit if he has an empty stomach. As a result we split his food into at least 2 and mostly 3 meals a day which seems to prevent it happening.
I would stop feeding the tinned food altogether if you think there is a link and keep to the bland diet. If she gets bunged up, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to her meals which should help.
I would then try to introduce a good quality dried food very gradually to her meal and see if she tolerates that. But I would take things very slowly, I woul want her to not have vomited for aleast a week before I started to introduce new stuff to her meals.
I hope you get to the bottom of it. x

Hi, I don't know if this has any relevance to your situation because there are many possible explanations for vomiting. But my dog has always had a tendancy to vomit or try to vomit if he has an empty stomach. As a result we split his food into at least 2 and mostly 3 meals a day which seems to prevent it happening.

This is exactly what I was thinking
Linda

ArchandEbs · #7 24-05-11, 12:06 PM

I was told by a specialist it's much better to split their meals into at least two a day. I hope Sasha improves soon.

LOVEGSD · #8 24-05-11, 12:57 PM

Diesel has to eat a fish based diet as he can't tolerate chicken....I really hope you get to the bottom of what's causing Sasha to vomit.

Splitting their food into two meals I feel is the best thing to do for them.

Matrix/Logan · #9 24-05-11, 07:19 PM

Hope you get to the bottom of the problem soon, i fully sympathise with you!

Blade started with vomiting each week then progressed to diarrhoea intermittently, then bloody/mucussy diarrhoea. He is now on hills z/d diet and we are waiting on blood test results (that he had taken today) to see if they show what he may be allergic to or what else may be the problem!

Caryll · #10 24-05-11, 07:55 PM

My boy is chicken intolerant. Even the smallest amount gives him the runs. I only found that out when he had a bad tum & the vet said the usual - bland diet, ie fish, chicken & rice. He just kept getting worse. Then my oh forgot about his food being 'bland' and gave him some raw beef tongue & his stomach improved almost overnight!

I bought a bag of frozen heart from the pet shop a few weeks ago & noticed that there were one or two chicken hearts in there. "The odd one here and there won't matter" I thought & gave him whatever came out of the bag. Next day............the runs!