Struggling with persistent SID

[jilbert57]

With the addition of enzymes, B12, proper food and antibiotic the dog starts feeling better. He gets rid of the unhealthy and brings on a new one.

Did you look at our recommended dog foods page?

https://epi4dogs.com/dog-food-options/

Jill

[Madelon]

Hi and welcome to the family . Your GSD is GORGEOUS!!!

A couple things stick out with me - it could be that the B12 shots were not enough for your dog. Some do better on methylcobalamin, which is in the WonderLabs pills than on the B12 shots of cyanocobalamin. Once you are done with the shots please do not wait a month to give another shot - we see too many dogs having set backs during that time because the B12 level dropped. If I were you, I would go ahead and start the WonderLabs Pet Factor pills. They also contain intrinsic factor which helps with B12 absorption.

The other issue as previously stated could be the food. Even the new food you are switching too while it has low fiber it contains grains and most EPI dogs do not do well on grains. Jill gave you the information from here on grain free and DCM - in my opinion you need to treat the life threatening condition you know your dog has first.

What is your goal weight? One food that many seem to do well on and is affordable is Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream.

As for itching - it could be the old malnourished fur falling out and as it's replaced with new nourished fur it can cause some itching. HOWEVER, you said you noticed it last year and GSD as I've come to find out are plagued with allergies. I finally had my boy tested and he's allergic to EVERYTHING - literally!!. Our dermatologist recommended bathing with Duoxo Chlorhexadine shampoo - really cheap on Amazon. I also use Zyrtec but I would not advise using it without consulting with your vet first. The other thing you need to be ware of is food sensitivities - my boy's itching started when I switched his food due to his EPI - the itching, yeast infections, paw infections, fistulas were HORRIBLE - turns out he's allergic to several foods but the main culprit is white fish. Yes he has BOTH environmental and food allergies - but he's the most gorgeous, goofy, loveable boy in the world and I would trade him for anything!

[Ehellriegel]

Hey Kellie!
I have the same issue with my GSD, she has terrible allergies around this time of year and is always chewing on her legs and haunches. This is the first time I've had her for this season (she's only 11 months old), but I definitely notice a difference from the summer! One thing that has worked for me are the Zesty Paws Allergy-Immune Bites - you can find them on Amazon. While they do have some flaxseed and garbanzo beans in the ingredients, it is an extremely small amount so I'm not too worried about it long-term since her food is so good (Sport Dog Elite Herding - Buffalo and Sweet Potato in case you want to look into it). I have been giving two a day for a few months and the difference in her itching is extremely noticeable! I took them away for about a week after she was diagnosed with EPI in case they caused issues, but after slowly working them back in over the past few days, her itching is better and her poops are still on the up and up since diagnosis! Maybe give them a shot? But I agree with Madelon, it could also be the shedding of the fur! Dogs excrete a lot of toxins through their skin. I am interested to see if anyone else has experience with the Zesty Paws brand!

[Kohlesmomma]

Thank you everyone. That is alot of great info. Get excited when I see responses because I have come to realize everyone truly wants to help each other with this crazy epi mess. I am going to make a decision on the food. I hate that he is on RC Gastro it's soooo $$$$ and the ingredient list is kinda junky imo-
Everyone Thank you again, what a great group of people!
Kellie and kohle

[Tuckaboo Pam]

Kellie, here's another vote for Sport Dog Elite for herding dogs! Tucker is doing GREAT on it, and the bag says his portion should only be two cups per day, but I can't do that to him, and I feed three cups. It's an expensive bag of food, but for my 70 pound-er, the bag seems to be lasting forever. ---Pam

[Olesia711]

I too used SPORT elite whitefish dog foo.... NO PEAS and my gal did great on it.
https://www.chewy.com/sport-dog-food-el ... /dp/172137

Also... with regard to the itching.... my dog starting itching everywhere too once i started on the grain free food when she was first diagnosed with EPI..... well... my EPI dog thankfully does not have any food sensitivities.... so i tried introducing cold pressed organic coconut oil (started with 1/2 tsp cause it is very rich... watched the poo for a few days and then increased to 1 tsp per meal.)

ANyway... if this is not some sort of food sensitivities.... and jsut dry skin from the diet.... if Kohle can handle coconut oil.... that might be another thing to try. it took about 3 weeks for my gal to stop itching,.. but it worked like a charm
Afterwards i put my other two dogs on the same quality grain free that my EPI gal was on..... they too got itchy and when i started giving them coconut oil.. ditto... within 3 weeks problem was solved.........

The oldest lived to 16 yrs old on grain free....and my EPI gal is knocking on 15 years old........... and she has been on all kinds of grain free foods for 13+1/2 years (she was diagnosed with EPI at 1+1/2 yrs old)

[Kohlesmomma]

Awesome Pam, Thank you for that recommendation on the food. I don't know .why I haven't made up my mind yet. I thought I had picked a good one before I saw the food list here on the site, and others thought that I should avoid rice which is understandable and being new to the forum, I haven't had much chance to browse everything, and my internet is really spotty. I mostly use the Wi-Fi at work.
Thanks again!
Kohle and kellie