EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

On Saturday it will be 2 weeks that Ulric has been on the antibiotic, The Vet also suggested that he take an omega 3 supplement which I started about a week ago. Was told to just buy a good quality supplement  from the pharmacy and give him one a day. Ulric loves the capsules and bites into them letting the fish oil run into his mouth. 

This week I have noticed that he is very itchy, this is new. If you even touch his back or chest his leg starts to go wild. 

Has anyone else noticed and increase in itchiness with antibiotics or omega 3? 

Or is something new that I should be worrying about? I have looked over him and no fleas or ticks found.

As always thanks for everyone help.

Hi Bernadette,

The only way to find out if it is the fish oil is to leave it off for a week and see what happens.

The other problem may be the time of year... Razzy has an apointment with her vet tomorrow because she is biting her back and I am almost sure this happened the same time last year... it could be seasonal.... a contact with mites that increase in the grass at this time.... we have foxes and it could be fox mange caught from the grass... Razzy is sensitive to EVERYTHING so it may even be ant bites and she just takes her back off if something irritates.

I'll get a jab for her and as like as not it will clear up... the last time we had to put her on Heartguard spot on to clear it.... the vet will know what it needs (and muggins will pay the bill)

I am DEF thinking of putting madam on ebay as an itchy statute

Val

The other problem may be the time of year...  I think you're on to something with this Val

Manfred is not at all the "sensitive" type - nothing has changed for him - not diet or supplements or anything else.

He is doing the exact same thing - driving us nuts itching - My next door neighbours GSD is doing the exact same thing - itching - both dogs are bathed regularly, have absolutely no sign of any kind of bugs -

Not that this really helps you Bernadette - but I really think that for a lot of dogs there is something seasonal to this issue

Hi Bernadette~

Ahh... the itchies.... bummer!   It could be the fish oil (some dogs are allergic to it, or some variation of certain fish) and it could be just like what Val said, seasonal allergies, or the food... or heaven knows what...

The only way we seem to be able to figure it out (aside from bringing them to the vets and having them tested and that is not always concusive either) is to do the process of elimination... because you noticed the itching after you started the fish il... stop it and see if the itching subsides.....

Have you had a chance yet to down load the EPI log (the PDF halfway down this page)  http://www.epi4dogs.com/downloads.htm   ???? if you keep track of everything.... what goes in, reaction, what comes out ... you';d be amazed at what "pops" out at us as possible culprits.

I don't have the itchies -  and neither does Ted!  but what we did have was a couple of weeks of watery eyes. Not gooky, there wasn't any gook, just watery. Nothing had changed, nothing at all, just like Manfred. I chalked it up as a seasonal change. Both the fish oil being the culprit and Val and Karen's suggestion that it might be the time of year seem most likely. I think it would be easier to start with the fish oil than to try to change the season!

I am hoping it is the time of year, but will stop the omega 3 for a week to see if that makes a difference. I hate to take away something that he thinks is a treat...epi is no fun....

Thanks everyone and I'll let you know how it goes. 

Bernadette,

I think this is an excellent plan... My Zeke (non-EPI) has terrible inhailent allergies and we did take him to a doggie dermatologist and had him tested.  He's a wreck right now and is in fact the worst he's been in years.  Whatever is in the air is bad...

wonder if all this excessive heat has anything to do with all these "reactions".........................

Olesia,

I wouldn't doubt it...We've had the worst sticky air mass hanging around for way too long here.  Initially, we used to have to put Zeke on Pred every Spring and fall for his allergies.  After we had him tested, we did a serum and made him into a pin-cushion for a year to desensatise him to his known allergies (mold being a big hitter, but there were others). It didn't cure him, but really helped a ton!  I haven't had to put him on pred for 10-11 years, but this may be the year... <sigh>

Ulric has been going in the pool several times a day due to the heat, the chemicals might be drying. Really hard to say. Our Jack Russell would get so bad he had to go on prednisone every year, but this year he is fine and Ulric is scratching......always something with the boys.  

So no omega 3 for a week and still mister itchy is at it. He has taken patches of fur off his back paws and I just noticed that he has a "rash" or dry skin on his chest. So back to the vet we go. I am thinking it might be an allergy he has also started with watery eyes. 

Poor Ulric, let us know what the vet has to say.

Ulric went to the vet.....again. My daughter took him so not really sure what the doc had to say but Ulric is on prednisone for his itches. 

He is a whopping 75 pounds today.