Help needed

[AresVon]

I have a 3 1/2 year old GSD who is very sick. He has had diarrhea for almost four months and we have not been able to figure out the problem. I have taken him to the vet every other week trying to get this under control. We even changed vets to see if a second opinion would help. He looks like he is starving to death, his hair is falling out, and he isnt the happy dog he once was. He has been treated for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and Irritable bowel syndrome, but nothing has changed. If anyone has any ideas please led our family a hand. Thank you for your time!

[Jax08]

Where are you located at? I would take him to a university hospital.

[Courtney]

Oh no....

I like Michelle's suggestion....a University hospital even if it's a drive. I'm assuming a full blood panel was done?

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by AresVon

I have a 3 1/2 year old GSD who is very sick. He has had diarrhea for almost four months and we have not been able to figure out the problem. I have taken him to the vet every other week trying to get this under control. We even changed vets to see if a second opinion would help. He looks like he is starving to death, his hair is falling out, and he isnt the happy dog he once was. He has been treated for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and Irritable bowel syndrome, but nothing has changed. If anyone has any ideas please led our family a hand. Thank you for your time!

I agree with everyone else in regards to taking the dog elsewhere. In the mean time go to Overview - EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, this is a great forum full of people with dogs that have EPI. Maybe you can explain how your dog is being treated and compare it to how some of them manage their dogs? They are very knowledgeable and very nice

[GatorBytes]

Originally Posted by AresVon

He looks like he is starving to death, his hair is falling out, and he isnt the happy dog he once was. He has been treated for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and Irritable bowel syndrome, but nothing has changed. If anyone has any ideas please led our family a hand. Thank you for your time!

What was used to treat EPI and IBS?

Malabsorption syndrome (a catch all phrase) - this do to the weight loss and hair loss as body is not taking up valuable nutrients - this obviously starts in the gut and could be a result of damage prior to treatment and/or ongoing from parasites like giardia or bacteria secondary to a now hospitable enviroment for microbes from abx. if abx. were used.

What are you feeding? Have you tried RAW?

[RebelGSD]

Many vets have little to no experience with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. My foster was started on enzymes and showed no response. The vet recommended to have him euthanized. I took him to another vet (who also had no experience - one dog euthanized because of EPI, without even attempting treatment) who told me to try doubling the dosage of the ezymes. It worked, and the dog's weight normalized within 6 weeks. I highly recommend the K9 Epiglobal yahoo group.

[Cassidy's Mom]

It would be very helpful if you could post exactly what tests have been done, and exactly what kinds of medications he's been on and for how long. Has he had a complete blood panel done? If so, can you post the results?

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

It would be very helpful if you could post exactly what tests have been done, and exactly what kinds of medications he's been on and for how long. Has he had a complete blood panel done? If so, can you post the results?

And I'm also curious how the EPI was treated...enzymes are needed to treat EPI, and not just a few days of them, you must give them forever if it's EPI.
Has SIBO been ruled out? If not, you need to also check for that, and also it won't hurt at all to give TYLAN (tylosin) even on a trial basis.

What does the dog eat currently?