Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

German Shepherd losing weight, vomiting, and poor digestion?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

i have 3 year german shepherd dog . he lose weight day by day . he does 2 3 time stool in a day and also not good digestion . (vomiting) in my area i havnt any vet doctor i think this is GI trac im very worried about my dog .please help me any kind of medicine ill buy medicine online . and whats diet plan in this period of GI trac. help me amen!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Laura Johnson VMD

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on March 11th, 2018

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!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 18th, 2016

    It sounds like your dog has a serious gastrointestinal problem, possibly IBD or food intollerance. You need to take her to the vet ASAP in order to get her checked, she will surely need a blood test and possibly and ultrasound as well in order to get to the bottom of this.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My German Shepherd is losing weight, vomiting, and has diarrhea. Why?
I am sorry to hear that your dog isn’t feeling well. Many different problems can cause the signs your are seeing. These include Addison’s disease, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and exocrine pancreatic Insufficiency , and even cancer. EPI is common in shepherds and this could certainly happen in young dogs. Ideally an examination and blood work should be done by a veterinarian for a diagnosis. If that is the problem then adding pancreatic enzymes such as Prozyme and feeding a bland diet such as hills i/d can make a big difference. Best of luck and I hope you get an answer soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My German Shepherd has weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea. Is dewormer okay?
The product is a good broad spectrum dewormer, but the picture is too blurry to tell the dosing . It should be labeled for how much to give on a weight basis. Intestinal parasites can cause weight loss, but in a German Shepherd Dog I also worry about exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This can cause diarrhea and significant weight loss as the dog Can not absorb nutrients effectively. A blood test called a TLI tests For that. If you do not have a veterinarian close you may consider traveling to see one as if it is EPI they can fail to thrive and actually starve to death even if they are eating normally. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Why is my German Shepherd puppy vomiting food and losing weight?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Alex! I would worry if Alex is able to hold down liquids but not solids. If this has been going on since you have had him then I would worry about a congenital defect causing constriction of the esophagus (PDA=patent ductus arterosis). if this is a new thing it could be intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections (especially parvo), food intolerance/allergy, or foreign body obstruction. I do not recommend human dairy products in animals as they are lactose intolerance. It is also not nutritionally appropriate for a 4 month large breed dog. I would try canned dog food or wet dry dog food in a mush. See if he can hod that down. If he can not he needs to see a Veterinarian for a work up. We are not legally allowed to diagnose and prescribe drugs over the internet as we can't examine the pet which is required to prescribe drugs. I wish you and Alex the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My German Shepherd is weak, losing weight, and has recurring diarrhea.
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog is losing weight, vomiting, and has diarrhea. What to do?
I am concerned that something serious is going on with your dog. I understand there may be no vets nearby but I think in this case ironworks be worth making a trip to a nearby city or town to seek out help. Vomiting and diarrhea together is commonly referred to as gastroenteritis. There can be several causes for gastroenteritis such as metabolic issues, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites and a foreign body/blockage. Because this has been going on for a while and your dog is losing weight I would recommend taking your dog to the vet to be evaluated. Your vet may recommend blood work and X-rays to figure out what exactly is going on. Your dog may need fluid if dehydrated, nausea medication and antibiotics. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my German Shepherd vomiting, itching, tired, and getting yeast?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like we may have two separate problems- a skin problem and a GI problem. The skin itching could be related to food but is more likely related to environmental allergies (which can develope at any age). Another possibility is that it’s actually pain- she is the right age for arthritis and other problems. This may be especially true if it’s over a joint. A foreign body like a thorn stuck in the skin is also possible. For the vomiting, there are many many possibilities. Acid reflux is more common with age. A trial of small frequent meals and Pepcid AC (famotidine) can help. Other possibilities include long-term foreign material (cloth or object swallowed long ago), organ disease (kidney disease, pancreatitis) cancer, and more. Abdominal xrays, full blood work, abdominal ultrasound, and sometimes even an upper GI scope or exploratory surgery may be needed to figure it out. This is a complicated and involved case and we could definitely talk more about it via text or call if you’d like. I believe there is a link below if you’d like a more in dept consultation. Best wishes to you and Hope!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My shepherd mix eats a lot but is losing weight and has diarrhea.
German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to a disease called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) which causes chronic diarrhea and weight loss due to maldigestion. This disease is fairly simple to diagnose and treat. Here is a link with more information on this disease: https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1627
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dog FoodPrescription Dog Digestive MedicationsDog Health & WellnessDog Probiotics & Digestive AidsDog Vitamins & SupplementsVeterinary Diet Dog FoodDog Stool Eating DeterrentDog Medicine and PrescriptionsDog Thyroid Medication & Hormone CarePrescription Dewormer for DogsWet Dog FoodDog Dewormers & Worm MedicineElectrolytes for DogsDry Dog FoodHorse Gastrointestinal & Digestive MedicationDog Seizure MedicationAt-Home Dog VaccinesPrescription Dog Insulin & Diabetes MedicationPuppy Milk ReplacersDog First Aid & Recovery
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button