We just brought home a 7-week old GSD and he has a wonderful temperament but he hardly eats at all during the day, vomited once (on the first full day that he was home), and has had nothing but diarrhea and urine come out of him. He also sleeps about 90% of the time during the day. We have been trying to feed him the same type of puppy food that he had been eating at the breeder's but he has not been interested in it. He only wants to drink water and has eaten a few bites of cooked chicken or turkey but after a few bites he looses interest. He just had his first set of shots a few days ago when we first got him so could that be the problem? We can feel his ribs and hip bones and we are worried that he is too skinny for a puppy. We are first time puppy-parents by the way ;) Hopefully this is just a phase?

Lethargic, diarrhea? Those are the classic symptoms of parvo. Start calling vets now, any after hour number, regular number,
Whatever. Parvo is quite possible, and if so, he needs to to go on IV to support him while his body fights off the virus. This may
Not be the breeder's fault. If you can't raise a vet tonight, put him on Pedalyte? The stuff for babies with diarrhea.

I may be over reacting, but parvo kills many young puppies. Let me know what happens. I can help you with many things you
Will need if he is OK.

Thank you labman for responding to my posting. I think that our puppy is OK. He has had his vaccinations for parvo-virus and is now eating everything he can get his mouth on! I think that his problem was that he was so young and separated from his mother and brothers and sisters and not used to our house. Today was the first day that he had solid fecal matter and for the past two days he has been in a happier and more energetic mood. We switched to feeding him wet versus dry food and he seems to have taken to it. Thank you for your advice and I hope that this is the last time that I will have to post any problems with my puupy on here! :)

I am sorry if I paniced you over nothing, but parvo is a big problem even with puppies on a good shot program. For more, see http://www.animalclinic.com/parvo.htm

Feel free to come back with more questions. Helping new people is a way of paying back some great people that helped me in thepast.

Shepherds tend to keep themselves skinnier than most puppies. As long as he is eating as much as he wants, don't worry as long as the ribs only show a little. That is the way many Shepherds are, which drives the owners nuts.