New Diagnosis - GSD Puppy

[jilbert57]

Hi Eleanor, you could try feeding on a flat plate.
Also put a few dry kibble in some water after the enzymed meal and let your Fi rinse the mouth out with fresh water.

Jill

[Ehellriegel]

Pam,
Yes we mix in warm water and thoroughly stir everything around together to dissolve the enzymes! I really think I may have been the first slow feeder we had because she had to shove her nose down between plastic pieces that may have had undissolved enzymes on them. Plus her only sore spots are on her lips, not inside her mouth. I appreciate the knowledge of what you do, it really helps!! We are currently feeding 2.5cups twice a day while she gains weight back, then we’ll be transitioning to the Sport Dog Elite food and cutting back to 1.5-2cups twice a day since it’s so much more calorically dense.

Jill,
We got a new slow feeder that has bigger channels, so if that doesn’t work then we’ll start trying a plate! We give her a few ice cubes after her meals now to try and help her clean out her mouth, but we can try the kibble in water too.

Thank you So much for your responses! Here’s a picture of the sores for reference:

[Tuckaboo Pam]

I love Jill's idea of kibble in water!

[jilbert57]

Those are the little sores alright

Jill

[Ehellriegel]

Hello again!
So I hand-fed breakfast this morning and will do the same with dinner to try and give her lips a break from the enzymes. We are going to then switch to plate feeding for a while to see if it helps. One thing I noticed is that she’s hacking a lot and vomited some bile this morning, so I think she has some acid reflux from the enzymes as well. Poor baby can’t catch a break I went ahead and ordered some Slippery Elm Bark Powder from Wonderlabs, but it says they’re back ordered so I’m not sure when we’ll get it. I found a brand on Amazon that has good reviews, many of which are from pet parents. Does anyone have any experience using this brand in the interim? I’m just going to use it until the Wonderlabs comes in, but this can be here by tomorrow!
NOW Supplements, Slippery Elm Powder (Ulmus rubra), Non-GMO Project Verified, Herbal Supplement, 4-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UE25XQ/re ... qEbRD75FW6

[jilbert57]

The NOW brand is very good.
Make sure you clean the muzzle after eating.

Jill

[Ehellriegel]

Thank you!! Does anyone know the suggested dosage? The Wonderlabs just says “one scoop,” but doesn’t specify how big the scoop is so I can’t translate it for the NOW brand.

And we are definitely cleaning her muzzle after meals! We’re having her go after ice cubes in her water bowl after every meal.

[Ehellriegel]

Nevermind on the dosing! I found the instructions on the Slippery Elm page on the main EPI4Dogs site 1/2 tsp with each meal!

[Jean]

Ice cubes are the best, and they love them to chase, they sterilise the mouth, I know nothing about this because in the main the UK enzymes dont cause issues

The thing i do know us that folk say is it resolved itself

Till then the flat plate and feed from hand

[Madelon]

Hi there! Glad you've got the B12 started. If I remember right Fi weighs around 57lbs? If so I would do 1 pill a day, which is the Texas A&M protocol. As for the mouth sores, some dogs are just more sensitive than others despite mixing the enzymes well and letting it sit. The flat plate and bobbing for kibbles are great tricks and usually work. You might also try using a little less water - you don't want any water to be sitting in the bowl - and in the most extreme cases, you can try grinding the kibble. I've been grinding the kibble since my boy was diagnosed almost 5years ago. With regard to the throwing up bile - it's likely from the SID because the B12 is still too low, but if after a few weeks you notice throwing up in the morning bile, you can feed a small enzyme meal right before bed.