German Shepherd has diarrhea after BBQ, acts normal. What to feed?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sherry! We are not legally allowed to prescribe medications over the internet. The law requires a valid veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship to do so which requires the Veterinarian to actually examine your pet. On Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach we can provide guidance, ideas on causes of illness and support but can not diagnose nor provide drugs. The blood from Sherry's anus, is that from his stool or is there a problem with his anal tissue? German Shepherds can suffer from perineal fistulas which are very painful. Blood in the stool is common in dogs suffering from stomach upset due to inflammation within the colon. If you are able, clean his anus and take a picture if you think it looks abnormal and I can try to help you better. I would fast Sherry for 12-24 hours to rest his GI tract. Then start feeding a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice as small frequent meals. Feed this diet until he passes 2 normal stools then transition him back to his normal dog food. If the stool doesn't improve, he won't eat, or starts vomiting he needs an exam by a Vet. I hope this helps and feel free to post a picture of his anus if it looks abnormal. I wish you and Sherry the best!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description, it is difficult to say for sure what the primary problem is as there are many causes of these symptoms. I do worry about him becoming dehydrated from the diarrhea. If this is a persistent problem and he is losing weight, I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would have his blood tested in addition to the examination to begin with and go from there. I hope this helps and that Woody gets better soon! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

If lethargy is not present, you could try, as a first approach to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Finding the cause of the diarrhea is the most important thing right now as the treatment will depend on the cause. If you haven't already, having a fecal exam done as well as possible bloodwork or X-rays is best. This can help rule out common issues such as parasites, infections, etc that can cause diarrhea. German Shepherds are also prone to some issues that can cause malabsorption, which can lead to diarrhea, discolored stool, weight loss, etc. Bloodwork can help to rule these out, and in most cases the issue is resolved with a daily medication. If no major issues can be found, then a food trial may be helpful for finding any food allergies causing the GI upset.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor guy! Causes of vomiting are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, foreign body, food allergy/intolerance, new food/treat.human food, intestinal disease (inflammatory bowel disease) or pancreatic disease. I am in agreement with you about your dog. German Shepherds, at least in the US have a lot of intestinal and pancreatic disease, specifically Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). Sometimes they have both conditions. Symptoms of IBD are weight loss with or with out vomiting or diarrhea. Signs of EPI are weight loss and diarrhea. I recommend deworming him 3 weeks apart with Drontal plus to cover parasites: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1459 Then I would start him on a prescription hydrolyzed diet, you will need a prescription from a Vet. I like Royal Canin Ultimino or HP or Purina HA: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/royal-canin-veterinary-diet-hydrolyzed-protein-adult-dry-dog-food If there is no improvement in weight or vomiting in 2 months then consider a trial of pancreazyme (supplement for EPI), again you will need a Vet to prescribe it for you: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11245 I know there isn't a Vet close by but I highly encourage you to find one and have them examine your dog. It is best to figure out what is wrong with someone who can help you along the way. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!

This sounds more like a gastrointestinal problem to me. I recommend switching to a bland diet like Hills prescription i/d or sensitive stomach. Check a fecal also for parasites. GSD also get pancreatic insufficiency that can have similar symptoms and that is treated with an enzyme supplement. I recommend a second opinion with another veterinarian before consulting a neurosurgeon. In the meantime if you apply a thin film of Vaseline to the fur around the rectum and down the legs the diarrhea won’t stick to the fur and she will stay cleaner. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Kelly.

Chronic diarrhea can be a frustrating issue! In a young German Shepherd, my main concerns for Charlie are that he may have intestinal parasites, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or inflammatory bowel disease. If he has not recently had a stool sample checked for parasites, this is a good starting point. If no parasites are seen, consider discussing blood work (CBC, chemistry, B12, TLI, folate) and an abdominal ultrasound to try to get to the bottom of this situation. Probiotics (Fortiflora and Proviable are two brands) may be beneficial. I hope that all goes well!