EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

I took Barney to the vets tonight to have his B12 injection and she is very pleased with his progress, he has gained another 0.8 kg.

His coat is starting to get its shine back and his nose is moist which it never has been (the vet said she omitted to notice this but it was a good sign).

I definately think it is the Hills that is making him drink so much water. Over the weekend he was drinking up to 2 litres per day. I explained to the vet what people had said on the EPI site about the amount of water and she said she was happy to leave things as they are and see how Barney gets on. All the tests he had nearly three weeks ago had come back negative (no diabetes etc).

We are thinking about changing his food . Has anyone used, or using Iams.

Hi Debra

Thanks for the information. Prices are really good will look into it.

On a lighter note, Barney is curled up sound asleep at the moment  ZZZZZZZ.....but later I will take some photos......promise. Trouble is I will have to get my son to download them as I haven't got a clue  ha ha.

Hi Eileen,

I'm glad the info was useful.  I found them to be really competitive and their medication etc are checked.  No dodgy stuff bought in from overseas.

There's nothing like a snozing doglet to watch is there........You're in the same boat as me, I have to ask my Nephew to do it for me!!

I haven't used Iams but I can give you a link to have a look at the food I used for Bonnie. www.burnspet.co.uk.  They do kibble and wet food although the wet food works out a bit expensive but worth a try for picky eaters.

They are all low fat aroud 7.5%.  The one I started out with was for underweight dogs Lamb and brown Rice at 15%, which she did really well on.  I only changed her when she started to put weight on because I'd read about feeding EPI dogs lower fat content and thought that could be contributing to her sloppy poops... I hasten to add, I hadn't found this forum so was dealing with this blind and it was SIBO reoccuring due to not having a long enough course of antibiotics (sigh). 

Bonnie could take the higher fat content and brown rice (although some dogs can't)  Anyway have a look on their website, I liked it and put all three dogs on it..... Our old timer Porky Chloe had the one for seniors to keep her weight down.  Burns deliver direct but I found it slightly cheaper on vetuk website.  They give you a list of their pet shops who sell it too, I believe they sell it in the USA as they have facilities there too, I think they started there first. I must say its around middle of the road cost wise which I found surprising, Eukanuba was far more expensive.  Anyway check out their home page, about their ethics etc.  The founder is a vet (John Burns).  It also gives you details of what food is suitable for different conditions, liver, diabetes, allergies etc..... worth a look...Good Luck:)... and don't forget the photos

Hi Eileen good news on Barney,  I haven't  tried IAMS,  have given Purina and Eukanuba a go, neither worked well for Gunner at all,  have friends who use Burns and they swear by it. one had a diabetic collie, she lived to 13 and my friends swears the burns gave her a whole lot of extra time x

Hi Eileen ~

YEAH !!! http://www.typophile.com/files/happy_dance_5055.gif" />Barney is doing better!!! And is started to have weight gain... Things are definitely looking up :).

Glad to hear your vet is going to leave things as they are for a bit. So many of our dogs have excessive thirst when beginnnig enzymes...that does subside.

Regarding food... these EPI dogs give us a run for our money.... the best thing is for you to try something... give it 3-5 days... watch the poops and listen to the gut....and thsi is how you determine what will work better for your dog.

I personally do not use Hills or Eukanuba.(My dogs don't like either)  I have heard good and bad for both... so I think it really depends on the individual dog.

I personally use a variety of different kinds of grain free food here in the U.S.