Non-Profit Public Charity
Managing EPIEPI in Dogs are dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) that have a malabsorption and maldigestion condition where the pancreas is no longer producing enough pancreatic enzymes to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Because of this, dogs (and also cats) will often present with unexplained weight loss, diarrhea/cow-patty like yellow/pale stools. Although EPI was once thought to be just a German Shepherd condition, it is now found in all breeds. That is why Epi4Dogs was created, because of Izzy, a little Spanish Water Dog born on July 11, 2005 diagnosed with EPI on December 15, 2006, who wasn’t supposed to have ‘that German Shepherd condition’. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at almost 15 years old. May her legacy of helping others with EPI live on………..
EPI is manageable
Before & After
Images of our pups when diagnosed and after proper treatment
Watch this tremendous tribute to the efforts of many members in successfully managing EPI from diagnosis to stability.
To speed up the video, click on the video’s settings button in the video clip and set speed from normal to 1.25
Below, is Rilind, rescued by The Pit Sisters a wonderful organization, who joined our EPI forum and properly diagnosed Rilind with EPI…
Below, is Rilind, rescued by The Pit Sisters a wonderful organization, who joined our EPI forum and properly diagnosed Rilind with EPI…
…Rilind then found his forever home. 3 months after proper treatment for EPI was implemented, Rilind blossomed!
Rilind went on to become the EPI poster dog and to this day his EPI journey helps others understand how well these dogs can and do recover with proper treatment
Although Rilind has since passed, he still has a huge following on his FaceBook page….. please feel free to follow his story on Rilind Reborn Facebook page and read the continuing comments to our beloved poster boy, Rilind!
Getting Involved
Samples Needed!!!
February 2024
We are very pleased to announce that Epi4Dogs will be working with the University of Georgia geneticists, Dr. Leigh Anne Clark and Thais Fontenelle Carvalho Leme. They are looking in a new direction for the possible genetic cause of EPI.
If you have a pure-bred GSD (German Shepherd Dog) and are willing to participate. Please scan the QR Code in the message below. You can either just fill out the form or contact Thais directly. In either case, Thais hopes to eventually speak with everyone interested in participating.
A treatable condition
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in dogs and cats is when acinar cells atrophy, sometimes called Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA), in the exocrine part of the pancreas and is no longer producing sufficient digestive enzymes: Lipase, Amylase, Trypsin & Protease that are needed to properly digest nutrients from food. This leads to maldigestion and malabsorption causing weight loss, loose stools, coprophagia, SIBO / SID (small intestinal dysbiosis), low B12. EPI in dogs and cats is manageable with the right balance of pancreatic enzymes with every meal, an agreeable diet, B12 supplementation if needed, along with appropriate SID management with prebiotics, or prebiotics with probiotics, or antibiotics if needed to get SID under control.
Who We Are
Epi4Dogs is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Public Charity EPI Research and Awareness organization with zero dollars for administration fees as Epi4Dogs is 100% volunteer-based. Recommendations on this site are supported by EPI veterinarian protocols, veterinarian EPI researchers, veterinarian publications, along with actual EPI pet owner’s day-to-day observations and experience. Epi4Dogs is GDPR Compliant.
Awareness
Epi4Dogs has and continues to assist and collaborate with various vet schools on EPI genetics, gastrointestinal, and nutritional research to further the understanding of EPI. We have been published multiple times in general media publications and have co-authored veterinarian research publications.
Mission statement
Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s purpose is advancement of science and education of EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency for dogs) by raising funds for EPI research that will yield useful insights or positive outcomes in better managing the EPI health condition in dogs and cats, and promoting EPI education through EPI awareness efforts by educating the public and offering assistance to pet owners, vet schools, veterinarians and veterinary researchers.
A community of volunteers
Our goal is to have the most current EPI information all in one place to better assist the veterinarian community, to help the EPI pet owner readily recognize EPI signs, and to encourage all to work together for the best possible outcome for the EPI dog (and cat)!
The Disease, The Condition, The Treatment
EPI dog just diagnosed (left) and 4 months later with proper treatment (right)
EPI, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Is the inability of the acinar cells in the exocrine part of the pancreas to produce and secrete the necessary enzymes needed to digest food. These main enzymes are:.
- Amylase for digestion of carbohydrates (sugars & starches in grains, fruits & vegetables),
- Lipases for digestion of fat.
- Trypsin and Proteases for digestion of proteins.
EPI, is sometimes referred to as Pancreatic Hypoplasia or Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA).
Or EPI can also be the secondary condition of a chronic illness, such as chronic pancreatitis.
EPI is when a dog’s exocrine part of the pancreas is atrophied and can no longer produce these pancreatic digestive enzymes. It is now known that all EPI dogs have a secondary condition called SID (small intestinal dysbiosis) formerly called SIBO. SID is an imbalance in the gut flora…not enough bacteria and not enough variety of bacteria. Another secondary condition in EPI dogs that often occurs is insufficient B12 which will need to be supplemented or else the dog will never fully flourish.
A dog with EPI, although eating copious amounts of food, is constantly hungry becoming undernourished and can literally waste away. Without proper treatment, the EPI dog can suffer greatly and even die a painful death from malnourishment, starvation or organ failure.
With EPI, organs, the immune system, nervous system and all other body systems may become compromised to one degree or another. A lack of nutrients sometimes even results in temperament changes which may express themselves in fear and/or aggression.
It is a devastating, frustrating disease that is all too often misdiagnosed. Symptoms usually do not appear until anywhere between 80% and 95% of the exocrine pancreas acinar cells are destroyed. What makes this disease even harder to diagnose is that not all dogs display any or all of the symptoms all of the time. Any breed can have EPI, not just GSDs.
The EPI diagnostic test is a simple TLI blood test. Once proper treatment is implemented it is amazing how well most EPI dogs respond and go on to live a good long quality life.
Common Symptoms
- Gradual wasting away despite a voracious appetite
- Eliminating much more frequently, sometimes every hour or two
- Stools are greasy voluminous yellowish cow-plops, but sometimes grayish
- Eating their own stools, or other inappropriate substances
- Increased rumbling sounds from the abdomen
- Increased passing amounts of flatulence
- Some dogs do not show any typical signs
- Some experience intermittent watery diarrhea or vomiting
- Some dogs even display personality changes such as fearfulness or sudden aggression
Detecting EPI
- EPI can manifest anytime in a dog’s life – – from a young pup to an elderly dog, with the severity and symptoms of the disease varying somewhat with each dog. Sometimes the dog has the disease but symptoms do not appear at all, until exacerbated or triggered through a stressful physical or emotional situation.
- Always confirm EPI with a trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) blood test (8-12 hour “food” fast). Normal range has been revised September 2023 and is now between 10.1 – >50 µg/L .
New cTLI interpretations (DOG):
0 to 2.5 µg/L Diagnostic for EPI 2.6 to 7.5 µg/L Subnormal cTLI concentration, highly suggestive of EPI. Assess response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to confirm diagnosis. 7.6 to 10.0 µg/L Subnormal cTLI concentration, EPI cannot be excluded. If signs are consistent with EPI, consider assessing response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to confirm diagnosis. 10.1 to 50.0 µg/L Result is within the reference interval. >50.0 µg/L The clinical significance of a cTLI concentration >50.0 µg/L is uncertain. If you have also run a cPLI and this is within the reference interval pancreatitis is unlikely. Whenever there is persistent gastrointestinal upsets and weight loss, it is advisable & economical to do a cTLI blood test.
The Treatment
Successfully managing EPI, (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) is all about finding the right balance of:
- Porcine Enzymes
- Diet
- Prebiotics, Prebiotics & Probiotics, or Antibiotic Tylan (if needed for SID/SIBO)
- B12 (if needed for low or low-normal B12)
Effectively Managing EPI Treatment
Is all about finding the right balance of the recommended EPI protocol that best agrees with your individual EPI dog (or cat). Because there are so many variables from one dog to the next, mostly due to the individual composition of gut flora, we strongly suggest reading the individual tabs on SID, DIET, B12 and ENZYMES to best understand “how” to manage and/or “tweak” EI protocol if needed.
The End of a Journey…
It is with deep sadness to share with you that the inspiration for Epi4Dogs, Izzy, passed away on February 13, 2020, from kidney failure at the age of 15. Our hearts are broken…..
Izzy
Izzy was a funny, sweet, joyful and very affectionate plain brown little Spanish water dog, who had a huge personality and was so full of life!
Every day for 15 years, Izzy would wake me up and we would start our routine. I swear she woke up smiling, with a twinkle in her eye and started planning her mischievous little antics for that day. She sure could make us laugh. Izzy was such a little smarty pants that I could just talk to her and she’d do whatever I asked. And she loved to tease the other dogs in the house. Everything that was hers was hers, and what was theirs was hers too. We dubbed her “greedy girl”. But on the flip side, she was a great little helper. No matter what I asked her to do for me, she did. Whether is was to bring something to me like my shoes, (and she always brought the correct matching set of footwear too), glasses, clothing, jewelry, etc. Or get something from my pocketbook like keys, wallet or comb, or if she had a job to do like put away the toys or carry dirty laundry to the laundry room, or bring me something I needed that I was working on. It was uncanny how she knew what I needed when I asked for something. When we went places, folks had fun with her because we would take an object from their person, hide it and Izzy would find it and return the item back to the right person within seconds. She loved going to the nursing home and always knew which patients needed a little extra time or doggie kisses.
Over time, she developed multiple health conditions in addition to EPI, but had such a positive spirit that she not only survived she flourished through it all. Until last week, when the light went out of her eyes and I knew it was time to let her go. We had a vet come to the house Feb 13th and Izzy passed quietly in my arms in our home. But even before she left this earth, she still managed to help one more dog, by giving her remaining enzymes to the vet that helped her cross over, to help another client that was struggling. Ironically, on the same day that Izzy passed away, a research grad student was approved to do EPI research on a new EPI Genetics Study at Clemson University.
She was my best friend, my all-time companion, once in a life-time heart dog, who taught me so much. She literally changed the course of my life. So many have said that I took such good care of her and gave her so much of my time… but they all had it backwards, I was the lucky one to have had Izzy in my life! God Speed Sweet Girl.
Izzy’s Legacy
Izzy, who developed EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), was the inspiration for Epi4Dogs, that was started over 14 years ago and later became a non-profit charitable organization. At the time of her diagnosis she was only 1+1/2 years old. I had no idea what this condition was. When I researched it, it said only German Shepherds and Rough Coated Collies developed EPI. What? Izzy was a Spanish Water Dog! And then when I found out how expensive the enzymes were. I was in shock. I remember my husband saying, you know we can’t afford these enzymes for the life of the dog. But how could we put her down, she was such a sweet little being. So, I started researching the internet. Luckily, I eventually connected with Enzyme Diane. Thank Goodness… because of Enzyme Diane we were able to afford the enzymes for Izzy and I will forever be grateful to her!
In the meantime, I was troubled that there wasn’t more current EPI information out there, EPI research was not really being pursued, and that it was a misnomer that only GSDs and Rough Coated Collies got EPI. So, Epi4Dogs was born.
The objective of Epi4Dogs was and continues to be to bring better awareness to the condition and to help those struggling with EPI. And to further EPI research in hopes of finding answers as to why EPI happens. Epi4Dogs now has over 10,500 members and has assisted almost 3,200,000 people world-wide since it’s existence. And finally, EPI is now recognized in all breeds.
Over the years, Epi4Dogs has connected with some of the best veterinarian researchers and veterinarian universities worldwide. We have collaborated with some on research, and some have advised and guided us. Others have sought us out for advice and information. We have been published multiple times and have presented at many seminars and conferences through the years. Some of the EPI research that Epi4Dogs has collaborated on has been on Genetics, Bile Acids, Dysbiosis, Vitamin Supplementation, Metabolomics, Microbiome, Slippery Elm, Enteric Coated Enzymes, etc.
In honor of Izzy’s legacy and all the advances that have been made because of her inspiration. I would like to acknowledge and thank those that have helped us accomplish so much. First, I am forever thankful to:
* Dr. David A Williams (Univ of Illinois), the premier vet researcher & developer of the gold-standard TLI test who has become my mentor in all things EPI and who guided and advised me along the way. Dr. Williams is also the lead investigator in multiple EPI research projects along with:
* Dr. Patrick Barko (Univ of Illinois), an innovative and rising star in research, currently one of the lead researchers in the Metabolomic & Microbiome study.
* Dr. Leigh Anne Clark (Clemson Univ) who has done multiple EPI genetics studies and is continuing her work on EPI genetics.
* Dr. Jan Suchodolski (Texas A&M Gastrointestinal Lab /TAMU) who has also done multiple studies on EPI gut flora/microbiome.
* Dr. Kate Tsai (Clemson)
* Dr. Jorg Steiner (TAMU),
* Dr. Cyrus (TAMU)
* Dr. Anne Mossler (Germany),
* Dr. Penny Watson (UK)
All who have all contributed to Epi4Dogs and EPI Research.
And last but not least, a very special and heartfelt thanks to Craig Taylor who created our fantastic website, and to the wonderful, staff at Epi4Dogs (Andrea, Ann, Barb, Craig, Dar, Devika, Diane, Elisabeth, Fiona, Jean, Jill, Judy, Julie, Madelon, Paula, Shirl, Staci, Susan, Terry and Tracey). All who volunteer their time and knowledge 24/7 to help others.
Thank you to all who have helped make Epi4dogs be what it is today and may Izzy’s EPI legacy continue to help others for as long as needed…………..
Olesia C. Kennedy, Founder
Epi4Dogs Foundation, Inc.
Years since original 2008 website launch
Years/+ since new website re-launch 7-2018
Total registered members
Website Page hits after re-launch
Total Website page hits since inception
Member countries
Publications, collaborations, conferences attended & seminar stalls held
As of December 14, 2023
Here ye, here ye
News & Announcements
Epi4Dogs will attend the GSD Nationals Oct 26-Oct 29, 2023 in Ohio
Diane Sloan and Olesia Kennedy of Epi4Dogs have been invited to the GSD National Specialty in Springfield, Ohio.
Drs. Leigh Anne Clark, EPI geneticist, from University of Georgia may also be in attendance along with an intern . We will be bringing much needed awareness to EPI in the GSD community.
March 2023 DVM360 Conference
The president and vice president of Epi4Dogs, Olesia Kennedy and Diane Sloan, are very excited to be attending the 2023 DVM 360 Conference in Charlotte, NC. This conference will be packed with veterinarian leaders and colleagues sharing and learning about the recent advances in the veterinarian field. We at Epi4Dogs will be presenting at this conference, booth 233, in hopes of updating the veterinarian community with the latest in EPI research and bringing better awareness of EPI treatment for our beloved EPI companions.
April 2022 Olesia Kennedy steps in as President of Epi4Dogs Fdn Inc
In April 2022, Olesia Kennedy once again steps in as President of Epi4Dogs. Madelon Hale has stepped down due to personal obligations. We graciously thank Madelon for all her years of hard work and dedication to Epi4Dogs.
Epi4Dogs PodCast with Woody's Place Sr GSD Sanctuary
The audio PodCast of Epi4Dogs with Woody’s Place Senior GSD Sanctuary Dog Rescue | Woody’s Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary | United States (wpsgss.org) will be available in Feb 2022. The PodCast will be posted on this website in the PodCast section..
Details to follow when they become available.
Izzy's passing February 13, 2020
It is with deep sadness to share with you that the inspiration for Epi4Dogs, Izzy, passed away on
February 13, 2020, from kidney failure at the age of 15. Our hearts are broken and our home is
so silent and empty……
IZZY
Izzy was a funny, sweet, joyful and very affectionate plain brown little Spanish water dog, who had a huge personality and was so full of life!
Every day for 15 years, Izzy would wake me up and we would start our routine. I swear she woke up smiling, with a twinkle in her eye and started planning her mischievous little antics for that day. She sure could make us laugh. Izzy was such a little smarty pants that I could just talk to her and she’d do whatever I asked. And she loved to tease the other dogs in the house. Everything that was hers was hers, and what was theirs was hers too. We dubbed her “greedy girl”. But on the flip side, she was a great little helper. No matter what I asked her to do for me, she did. Whether is was to bring something to me like my shoes, (and she always brought the correct matching set of footwear too), glasses, clothing, jewelry, etc. Or get something from my pocketbook like keys, wallet or comb, or if she had a job to do like put away the toys or carry dirty laundry to the laundry room, or bring me something I needed that I was working on. It was uncanny how she knew what I needed when I asked for something. When we went places, folks had fun with her because we would take an object from their person, hide it and Izzy would find it and return the item back to the right person within seconds. She loved going to the nursing home and always knew which patients needed a little extra time or doggie kisses.
Over time, she developed multiple health conditions in addition to EPI, but had such a positive spirit that she not only survived she flourished through it all. Until last week, when the light went out of her eyes and I knew it was time to let her go. We had a vet come to the house Feb 13th and Izzy passed quietly in my arms in our home. But even before she left this earth, she still managed to help one more dog, by giving her remaining enzymes to the vet that helped her cross over, to help another client that was struggling. Ironically, on the same day that Izzy passed away, a research grad student was approved to do EPI research on a new EPI Genetics Study at Clemson University.
She was my best friend, my all-time companion, once in a life-time heart dog, who taught me so much. She literally changed the course of my life. So many have said that I took such good care of her and gave her so much of my time… but they all had it backwards, I was the lucky one to have had Izzy in my life! God Speed Sweet Girl.
IZZY’S LEGACY
Izzy, who developed EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), was the inspiration for Epi4Dogs, that was started 12 years ago and later became a non-profit charitable organization. At the time of her diagnosis she was only 1+1/2 years old. I had no idea what this condition was. When I researched it, it said only German Shepherds and Rough Coated Collies developed EPI. What? Izzy was a Spanish Water Dog! And then when I found out how expensive the enzymes were. I was in shock. I remember my husband saying, you know we can’t afford these enzymes for the life of the dog. But how could we put her down, she was such a sweet little being. So, I started researching the internet. Luckily, I eventually connected with Enzyme Diane. Thank Goodness… because of Enzyme Diane we were able to afford the enzymes for Izzy and I will forever be grateful to her!
In the meantime, I was troubled that there wasn’t more current EPI information out there, EPI research was not really being pursued, and that it was a misnomer that only GSDs and Rough Coated Collies got EPI. So, Epi4Dogs was born.
The objective of Epi4Dogs was and continues to be to bring better awareness to the condition and to help those struggling with EPI. And to further EPI research in hopes of finding answers as to why EPI happens. Epi4Dogs now has over 4,000 members and has assisted almost 3,000,000 people world-wide since it’s existence. And finally, EPI is now recognized in all breeds.
Over the years, Epi4Dogs has connected with some of the best veterinarian researchers and veterinarian universities worldwide. Some have collaborated with us on research, some have advised and guided us, others have sought us out for advice and information. We have been published multiple times and have presented at many seminars and conferences through the years. Some of the EPI research that Epi4Dogs has collaborated on has been on Genetics, Bile Acids, Dysbiosis, Vitamin Supplementation, Metabolomics, Microbiome, Slippery Elm, Enteric Coated Enzymes, etc.
In honor of Izzy’s legacy and all the advances that have been made because of her inspiration. I would like to acknowledge and thank those that have helped us accomplish so much. First, I am forever thankful to:
* Dr. David A Williams (Univ of Illinois), the premier vet researcher & developer of the gold-standard TLI test who has become my mentor in all things EPI and who guided and advised me along the way. Dr. Williams is also the lead investigator in multiple EPI research projects along with:
* Dr. Patrick Barko (Univ of Illinois), an innovative and rising star in research, currently one of the lead researchers in the Metabolomic & Microbiome study.
* Dr. Leigh Anne Clark (Clemson Univ) who has done multiple EPI genetics studies and is continuing her work on EPI genetics.
* Dr. Jan Suchodolski (Texas A&M Gastrointestinal Lab /TAMU) who has also done multiple studies on EPI gut flora/microbiome.
* Dr. Kate Tsai (Clemson)
* Dr. Jorg Steiner (TAMU),
* Dr. Cyrus (TAMU)
* Dr. Anne Mossler (Germany),
* Dr. Penny Watson (UK)
All who have all contributed to Epi4Dogs and EPI Research.
And last but not least, a very special and heartfelt thanks to Craig Taylor who created our fantastic website, and to the wonderful, staff at Epi4Dogs (Andrea, Ann, Barb, Craig, Dar, Devika, Diane, Elisabeth, Fiona, Jean, Jill, Judy, Julie, Madelon, Paula, Shirl, Staci, Susan, Terry and Tracey). All who volunteer their time and knowledge 24/7 to help others.
Thank you to all who have helped make Epi4dogs be what it is today and may Izzy’s EPI legacy continue to help others for as long as needed…………..
Olesia C. Kennedy, Founder
Epi4Dogs Foundation, Inc.
Rilind's passing January 2, 2020
It is with deep sadness to share that Rilind has passed away on January 2, 2020, (FB page Rilind Reborn)
Eight years ago, Rilind was found tossed in a dumpster, left like trash . He was a mere 37 lbs.
He was rescued by the Pit Sisters who lovingly cared for him and their vet diagnosed him with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency). In the many years that followed, Rilind has been fostered and then adopted by wonderful people who continued to lovingly care for him. Rilind became the “spokesdog” for dogs in need, with EPI, and against breed-specific legislation.
He was show-cased on all Epi4Dogs marketing materials and this website and his story and pictures literally stopped crowds at vet conferences and causing people to ask “what is EPI??” which helped us bring better awareness to EPI. His story and pictures have also been shared world wide with other veterinarian schools in many countries outside the USA printed in their vet journals, posters, discussed in their vet school classes. Rilind was loved by thousands and our hearts are broken now that he is gone…. but his legacy will continue to live on and help those struggling with EPI .
Epi4Dogs at the 2019 AVMA Conference
Epi4Dogs, Founder, President and Vice President were in attendance (booth #2092) at the 2019 AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association Conference) August 2nd thru August 6th in Washington, D.C.
Diane S (left) with Madelon H (right)
Epi4Dogs President's visit with Rilind December 2018
December 26, 2018, our President, Madelon Hale got to visit with Rilind, the famous EPI dog. Here they are together:
New EPI Dog Research- Aug 22, 2018
EPI Dogs & Lipid Soluble Vitamin Research just published Aug 22, 2018 in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Key investigators Drs. Patrick Barko & David Williams, Univ of Illinois. Epi4Dogs assisted with the patient registry for this study and funding. Epi4Dogs was not involved with the design nor interpretation of any of the findings. The full research can be read on the Epi4Dogs EPI Research page: https://epi4dogs.com/epi-research/
Seminar slides now available
Slide Presentations from the EPI (EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY) SEMINAR on Sept 7, 2017 in Lebanon, TN are on the EPI Seminar page: http://www.epi4dogs.com/epi-seminar
The
Chunky Monkey Club!
Success stories from the EPI forum
EPI4dogs on
Serum Trypsin-Like Immunoreactivity (TLI)
vetmed.tamu.edu
Reference Intervals Canine ≥10.9 µg/L Feline 12.0 - 82.0 µg/L Turnaround: 2-3 business days after receipt of samples. Please note: Administration of oral
Call our President & Founder, Olesia Kennedy on
(+1) 919-302-9892
