EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Hello my name is Amy and our family member Kyra(GSD) possibly has EPI

and I'm wondering how expensive and what the process is of the

testing and trial and error of medication. But more importantly the

prices. I know it's unfortunate but with another baby on the way and

with one job in the family it's hard.

Hi Amy~

First you really do need to find out if your dog does or does not have EPI. (unfortunately it is prevalent in GSDs).

1. The cost is about $100 for the TLI test. You or your vet should go to this LINK... http://www.epi4dogs.com/tli.htm the Texas A&M blood analysis, blood draw requirements and shipping instructions are all there. After your dog fasts for 12 hours, have your vet draw the blood and ship it chilled (not on a Friday) to Texas A&M University for testing.

2. Costs: (these are approximates) Just  "as an example" ... if you feed Kyra 1 cup of food in the morning and 1 cup of food in the evening- - with each meal you would want to start off with 1 tsp of pancreatic replacement enzymes that contain Lipase, Amalyse and Protease.

I first started out with my EPI dog on Pancrezyme.. the cost was approximately $150 for 12 oz.

This lasted me 1.5 months for a 30-40 lb dog. Talk about sticker shock!!!

But there is another solution.....

I now personally purchase the Pancreatin enzymes, generic (made in the USA) and I pay $136 for 35.2 oz (1 kilo)

http://www.enzymediane.com/ (you have to have a positively TLI tested EPI confirmed dog by a vet in order to be able to order this)

Also keep in mind.... with many EPI dogs (mine included) what is suggested is that after your EPI dog becomes stable, you should try to reduce the amount of enzymes you are giving your dog to the lowest amount it can tolerate. For example... my dog now only requires 1/2 tsp with 1 cup of food. SO this may further cut your enzyme expense.

3. Food costs: What brand you use is personal - - the only real thing that is important is that it is grain-free food or a food with the least amount of grain in the food that your dog can tolerate.

For a fairly inexpensive grain-free food- many use Dick Van Patten Sweet Potato and Venison/or Fish (some have trouble with the Duck), or try Wellness CORE food... I personally use EVO small red meat (but it IS expensive and not all EPI dogs can tolerate the higher fat content-but my EPI gal can.

Although the following is not a complete list by any means,  some examples of foods and their LINKS used by EPI owners can be found  halfway down the page on http://www.epi4dogs.com/diet.htm  some of these are very expensive.... some are cheap - -check the list out and see what would fit your budget.

I hope these suggestions help a bit.

Olesia

http://www.epi4dogs.com/

Olesia has given you good information.  It is sticker shock when you find out the cost of the enzymes.  I also use Pancreatin 6x and that cuts it down to about $30 a month for the enzymes I need.  I feed Chicken Soup for the dog lovers soul which is grain free and costs about $45. for a 33 pound bag.-sometimes I can get it on sale for $35.  I have also used Proplan Sr Chicken and Rice but I needed to change to a grain free food because of what I think might be an allergy (Sarge was licking his feet all the time).  I have been able to cut costs once diagnosed with SIBO -Buying Tylan online and administering b12 injections at home (need a prescription).

A low fat low fiber food will usually work.  Some can handle a bit more fat or fiber than others.  Some dogs need 1 tsp enzymes per cup of food others take 1/2 tsp or 1/4 tsp it does not depend on the dogs size of the test result it will depend on the dog and trial by error is the only way to determine the correct dosage.

There are more expensive foods on the market that will work too.  Do not think that prescription diets are the only way to go.

We are going on year two but Mollie Bijou is only 5 lbs.  However, we do use the Pancreved and 12 ounces is $80, lasts us 2 months.  The additional cost for us is the Merrick can food she eats about $2.25 a can.  The owner of the shop pointed out a few of the "flavors" suggested for dogs with pancreatitis.  We plan to do folic acid and B 12 levels next to see if that should be added.  The work up for us was exam, bloodwork, ultrasound, steroids, Science Diet ID can food, finall the TLI labwork.  I seem to remember it being about $500.  Since she isn't a GSD probably took longer to figure it out.  The photo is of her at her worst.  The tips of ears were ulcerated from the malnutrition.  We use 1 tsp per meal and feed twice a day.  If she were bigger I'd probably go to the bulk site.

Boy, do I know that feeling.  Buddy Lee was "diagnosed" with everything from just being an irritable small guy to colitis to nervousness.  He had xrays, blood tests, more blood tests, this, that, the other.  I figure over the years I've literally spent $$$$ to try to get him well, or at least find out what was wrong.  It took 3 vets to finally get a true dx.  By then he had dropped from almost 7# to 4.8, lost most of his fur, pooped out stuff longer than he was, had a horrible smell, had a waxy feel around the base of his tail......and he was just plain miserable.  I cried all the time. 

Luckily a friend who does Rat Terrier rescue suggested I have him tested for EPI.  Initially the vet didn't want to do it, lacking knowledge on it I guess.  Sure enough, it came back positive.  Then I questioned the vet about B12 and SIBO.  Was told he gets all the B12 he needs from his diet.  That's all I needed..........on to another couple of vets.  I am thrilled to death with our current vets, a couple of younger country type vets.  They LISTEN and read what info I take them.  I am one of only a very few patients they've seen with EPI but they know I've done MY homework. 

Buddy Lee is now healthy and happy.  He is still on the B12 therapy, due to be retested soon.  He eats well, poops well, and plays.  We'd never seen him play before he stabilized.  That alone brings a tear to my eye.  A dog that went from constantly being humped up from pain to playing with his fur sisters!

We go thru a 4 oz bottle of Viokase every 2 months, also.  It runs us around $75 per bottle.  I'd like to switch to something a bit less expensive but we tried Pancrezyme, which he wouldn't eat at all, and since we know this works for us, we don't want to monkey with it.