EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

OK guys the plot is thickening!  Mishka's SIBO results are in - all clear - good in one way confusing in another.

So as a recap what we do know is that he does not have EPI or an infection currently, nor does he have any ulcers or any other symptons of an irritated gut.  We also know on any brand of commercial food/vegetables or grain he has loose bowels but is fine on raw food.  We  know that he had several instances of severe diarrohea as puppy (nearly 8 years ago) and continued on intermittent loose bowels until he was raw fed at 18 months old and was not conventionally vaccinated again.  In between 18months and 6 years old he had a very occasional loose bottom (easily put down to too much rich beef perhaps) and in March 2009 due to exterior forces(!) he was conventionally vaccinated again.  Between last March 2009 and this March we had several (but not alot) instances of loose bottoms and biley sick.

But since March this year we have had many instances of loose bottoms  he has had an intolerance to  skin and large amounts of fat (small amounts are fine), beef, duck and large portions of liver.  When he is 'off' he also loses his appetite and is often biley sick.  He has never lost weight to any degree and never looked anything other than the picture of health and on 3 capsules of Tryplase a day his appetite is good he has not been sick other than the real odd biley sick in the beginning and has firm poohs whatever he eats.

The vets in the absence of any other evidence consider the possibility of the link to his jabs based on the fact this started after his first set of jabs for 5 years and/or leftover damage to the gut from a suspected giardia infection in March which would strain the pancreas and which is taking a good while to repair despite having had long treatments to repopulate the gut.

I know it has been suggested prior to all the test results that he could be heading towards EPI - any other thoughts now that the SIBO is clear?!?!

Hi Laura - sorry, I have no advice here, but hopefully someone else may have some thoughts on this.   Now just to find out what IS going on with Mishka...I have to ask - sorry, but what is "jabs" do you mean shots?

Hi Michele

Yes jabs is the english version of shots !

Best wishes

Hi Laura,

I am really sorry to read about your puzzling health problem with your beautiful fur-baby. You said "suspected giardia infection"  - Could your pup's problem be giardia? Would it be wise to have the appropriate test, which I understand  cannot be ascertained by floatation and thus requires a special test procedure?  Just a thought.

Kindest best wishes,

Julie

Hi Julie

He had the test but apparently it is notoriously difficult as if the eggs are not present in the specimen provided then it does not always show up.  His was negative but he was showing 99.9% of the symptons so the vets concurred and decided to treat him for it anyway.  But as he was still showing some problems they decided to test again in case the treatment hadn't worked or it was something resistent to metronizadole. 

Hi Laura, just reading the symptoms Mishka has and wondered has Mishka been tested for pancreatitis?  Being loose, biley sick, loss of appetitie, also if there is an indication of feeling down and not wanting to go out, sore tummy etc?  Just a thought?  Hope you get it all sorted soon.

Hi there

That's a good thought but was the first thought of my french vet but quickly ruled out because it was so intermittent - remember its not the raging quits he gets just one loose pooh a day if he is off - plus he is always excited for a walk or anything really - yes he might be a bit uncomfortable but that translates into picking at food rather than not wanting to do anything - he will still run around the garden or want to go out - they also said his colour of his poohs were more SIBO than pancreatitis - dark black, tarry and mucus covered at the time.....

My UK holistic vet is convinced its a simple intolerance brought on by either the infection or his jabs or both.  My french conventional vet is convinced its the overflow of the infection so maybe the vets are right.....for once!!!