Bali’s story: We need healing vibes and support
Posted: 13 Nov 2022, 14:23
Greetings everyone-
This is Pia. I’m an international school teacher, live and teach all around the world. I’m currently in San Diego, taking a sabbatical, but planning to go back to overseas soon. I’ve been diagnosed with a hearing disorder and with my doctor’s advice adopted a puppy to be trained as a service animal. Bali, a German Shepherd has grown to be a wonderful hearing dog, my best friend and companion. He has been a chubby puppy since I found him at 11 weeks old, wand was expected to be min. 100lbs when he reaches full adulthood. When around he was 7 months old with sudden change of kibbles (my rookie mistake) we experienced the 1st episode of chronic diarrhea that never really left us to this day. At that time he’s been tested for parasites and a few other things (never for EPI) and everything came back normal. We called it ‘typical German Shepherd digestive problems’ and decided to be more mindful around his food.
Following 7 months was full of ups and downs with on and off diarrhea, trial and error with food as we were focusing on food allergies. We found a good balance of food and probiotics and in late July at 15 months old Bali was on top of his health. Looking good, feeling good with steady healthy stools like a normal dog. I consulted the vet and we decided it was a good time to switch to adult food as finding his prescription puppy kibbles (Royal Canin GI) were getting harder while traveling during summer. This time I introduced the new kibbles veeeery slowly. He was doing fine up until 80% new kibbles + 20% old kibbles. Then one day I gave him 100% new kibbles for the first time and that immediately set off the 2nd episode of chronic diarrhea with weirdest looking stools: bright yellow mucus covered, blood speckled, dark brown-gray cow patties etc etc. At that time he weighed around 73lbs. With the vets help (Metro and Endosorb) and later homemade food (lean ground turkey and pumpkin puree) his stool would turn back to normal for a few days but relapse soon after. Another couple of months on and off diarrhea and I noticed he started to losing weight, his behavior started to change (more aggressive towards other dogs, which was never an issue before as he is a well socialized and well adapted service dog), scavenging and eating whatever he could find on the sidewalks.. This would put us another endless cycle of diarrhea, fasting for 24 hrs, then ground turkey, pumpkin, probiotics and slippery elm until he turns back to normal.
A few weeks ago in October we had another visit to vet’s office because all the methods I used in the past to stop his diarrhea weren’t helping anymore. He weighed 66lbs. Lost 7 lbs in 2,5 months. He still got enough energy to play, healthy coat and crazy appetite.
Because EPI was always a possibility, I had already acquired Biovet enzymes and was
giving him small dosages sporadically. We didn’t test Bali for EPI this time. Our vet suggested that with enzymes already in his system the test would may not give accurate results.
I began researching about EPI more seriously, read endless articles and posts on forums like here. Also Dr. Becker’s informative video on EPI (https://youtu.be/TWH3XfvMMCc ) assured me that Bali is most likely suffering with EPI. However never been tested for EPI, all Bali’s symptoms and medical history were clearly directing us towards EPI- so with our vet’s agreement I officially started treating Bali with enzymes (methodically with every meal), probiotics and Slippery elm only 4 days ago.
Texas B12 protocol starting in the next couple of days and possibly 30 day Tylan if SIBO turns to be unmanageable.
Even though the number on the scale hasn’t changed in the past few weeks, his body appears to be in the worst shape. His hipbones are sticking out like never before, and his ribs can be counted from a mile away.
I am determined to heal him and trying to keep it strong and positive, but when I looked at my puppy this morning I’ve felt we hit a pretty low point as of now and couldn’t help crying. The way he holds and moves his body is signifying poor health and weakness, and it breaks my heart to pieces. He is low on energy today as well and already experiencing reflux.
Any support, good vibes, encouragement, ideas are much appreciated. Thank you.
This is Pia. I’m an international school teacher, live and teach all around the world. I’m currently in San Diego, taking a sabbatical, but planning to go back to overseas soon. I’ve been diagnosed with a hearing disorder and with my doctor’s advice adopted a puppy to be trained as a service animal. Bali, a German Shepherd has grown to be a wonderful hearing dog, my best friend and companion. He has been a chubby puppy since I found him at 11 weeks old, wand was expected to be min. 100lbs when he reaches full adulthood. When around he was 7 months old with sudden change of kibbles (my rookie mistake) we experienced the 1st episode of chronic diarrhea that never really left us to this day. At that time he’s been tested for parasites and a few other things (never for EPI) and everything came back normal. We called it ‘typical German Shepherd digestive problems’ and decided to be more mindful around his food.
Following 7 months was full of ups and downs with on and off diarrhea, trial and error with food as we were focusing on food allergies. We found a good balance of food and probiotics and in late July at 15 months old Bali was on top of his health. Looking good, feeling good with steady healthy stools like a normal dog. I consulted the vet and we decided it was a good time to switch to adult food as finding his prescription puppy kibbles (Royal Canin GI) were getting harder while traveling during summer. This time I introduced the new kibbles veeeery slowly. He was doing fine up until 80% new kibbles + 20% old kibbles. Then one day I gave him 100% new kibbles for the first time and that immediately set off the 2nd episode of chronic diarrhea with weirdest looking stools: bright yellow mucus covered, blood speckled, dark brown-gray cow patties etc etc. At that time he weighed around 73lbs. With the vets help (Metro and Endosorb) and later homemade food (lean ground turkey and pumpkin puree) his stool would turn back to normal for a few days but relapse soon after. Another couple of months on and off diarrhea and I noticed he started to losing weight, his behavior started to change (more aggressive towards other dogs, which was never an issue before as he is a well socialized and well adapted service dog), scavenging and eating whatever he could find on the sidewalks.. This would put us another endless cycle of diarrhea, fasting for 24 hrs, then ground turkey, pumpkin, probiotics and slippery elm until he turns back to normal.
A few weeks ago in October we had another visit to vet’s office because all the methods I used in the past to stop his diarrhea weren’t helping anymore. He weighed 66lbs. Lost 7 lbs in 2,5 months. He still got enough energy to play, healthy coat and crazy appetite.
Because EPI was always a possibility, I had already acquired Biovet enzymes and was
giving him small dosages sporadically. We didn’t test Bali for EPI this time. Our vet suggested that with enzymes already in his system the test would may not give accurate results.
I began researching about EPI more seriously, read endless articles and posts on forums like here. Also Dr. Becker’s informative video on EPI (https://youtu.be/TWH3XfvMMCc ) assured me that Bali is most likely suffering with EPI. However never been tested for EPI, all Bali’s symptoms and medical history were clearly directing us towards EPI- so with our vet’s agreement I officially started treating Bali with enzymes (methodically with every meal), probiotics and Slippery elm only 4 days ago.
Texas B12 protocol starting in the next couple of days and possibly 30 day Tylan if SIBO turns to be unmanageable.
Even though the number on the scale hasn’t changed in the past few weeks, his body appears to be in the worst shape. His hipbones are sticking out like never before, and his ribs can be counted from a mile away.
I am determined to heal him and trying to keep it strong and positive, but when I looked at my puppy this morning I’ve felt we hit a pretty low point as of now and couldn’t help crying. The way he holds and moves his body is signifying poor health and weakness, and it breaks my heart to pieces. He is low on energy today as well and already experiencing reflux.
Any support, good vibes, encouragement, ideas are much appreciated. Thank you.