EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
managing EPI
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| Forum Home > General Discussion > To Mahi, with Love - An EPI poem | ||
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Member Posts: 369 |
A very close friend of mine who has been worrying about my struggle to come to terms with Mahi's EPI called this evening and during our conversation exclaimed, "I wish you'd never never had that dog!" I didn't get upset with her - I know that it was her concern speaking rather than anything else, and she's never had a dog herself so couldn't possibly understand what it means to be owned by one, EPI or not. But I got to thinking, "Have I ever wished that I didn't have Mahi?" I haven't. Not once. I've wished she didn't have EPI, but I couldn't imagine life without her. She's taught me so much. Thinking brought on a little poem, which I thought I would share with you all... To Mahi, WIth love From the very first hello To the final adieu You know my sweet Mahi, I'll always love you. I can't help but thinking the one who sent you to me Did He know then, my darling What a blessing you'd be? I know that your days Aren't easy at all, Sometimes it's your enzymes Or your folate that falls. Sometimes I lie awake in the darkness And listen to you breathe in the night And I find myself praying That you'll one day be alright. Poops, vets and pokies I know are too much to face But remember too, my angel We have monkeys to chase! Some days will be good Many others will be bad But we're in it together And we'll face with tails all awag. We may be an EPI dog and an EPI mum But we'll beat this thing yet And we'll make sure we have fun What you've taught me is simple And I'm sure all will agree That all pain is swallowed In love's endless sea. Devika | |
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Member Posts: 356 |
Hello Devika, Such a beautiful poem and such beautiful sentiments! Thank you so much for sharing! Your poem has brightened my day ♥ Laurie | |
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-- Pandora (Panda) TLI 4.6 Cobalamin 531 Folate 18 Panda was a rescue Pembroke Welsh Corgi, likely from a puppy mill. Bio case V Enzymes 3/4 teaspoon per cup of food, incubated 30 minutes. Metro for SIBO, Baytril and amoxicillin for Lyme, because she couldn't tolerate doxycycline. Milk thistle 75 mg a day while on the antibiotics. 1/8th teaspoon Green Blend vitamin mineral powder, working up to 1/4th teaspoon. Attempted to compromise between remedial dietary needs for gastric problems and remedial dietary needs for kidney problems with home cooked diet from Lew Olson's book "Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs". Passed away March 7,- kidneys, liver, gall bladder, neurological symptoms throughout. Even though we only had her two months, she is sorely missed.
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Member Posts: 1594 |
That is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it and putting in to words what we all feel. We won't beat it, but we can control it. As for your friend, you can't imagine how many people told me to put Hondo down, it's just a dog. Well, not to me. He's my best friend, my buddy, my sidekick. Hang in there, you are doing great.
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Member Posts: 919 |
What an absolutely beautiful poem. Thank you! It does sum up the sentiments we feel. We may not have monkeys to chase, but balls and other critters....and hopefully some day you will know more up days than down days...but together you will handle it all. | |
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-- Terry Mom of two EPI Shiloh Shepherds: Pharaoh born Nov. 2007 (dx December 2009) and his older half sister,Taiko born Sept. 2006 (dx June 2010). Pharaoh was 62.4 lbs. when diagnosed in 12/2009 and 10/31/11 his weight was 76.6 and 82.5 lbs on 1/28/12. Received six weeks of B12 shots Jan-Feb 2010 but his B12 on 8/10/2010 was only 232. Taiko's weight was 70.7 lbs. in June 2010 (time of diagnosis) and on 10/31/11 was 80.4 and on 1/28/12 was 84 (2 lbs. over vet's max weight for her). B12 was 211 in June 2010 and 293 on 8/10/10 (after getting weekly shots). Both pups receive B12 shots weekly at home. Both are fed twice a day Costco grain free brand: 2 cups kibble in the morning with 4 crushed tblets and 2 1/2 cups evening with 4 1/2 crushed tablets; plus each meal also get cooked ground turkey (app 1/4 lb. each meal) or half a can of dog food.
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Member Posts: 727 |
Can barely type through the tears! xox | |
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-- Wallace rescue GSD. Currently feeding James Wellbeloved Turkey and Vegetable Cereal Free and some Butcher's Tripe. Four teaspoons Pancrex Granules and 2 Lypex capsules per meal. (Will go back to raw pig pancreas soon.) Three meals a day 3 times per week, 2 meals a day the other 4 days otherwise he stops eating. Tylan 1/8 teaspoon twice a day (this is half the recommended dose for his weight but the recommended dose made his poos soft!) Synbiotic D-C (probiotic and prebiotic) capsule once a day. Monthly B12 injection.
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Member Posts: 1256 |
Devika: Like Gillian, I cried when I read your beautiful poem. Thank for writing and sharing a lovely piece of your heart...but most of all thank you for being you and loving your sweet Mahi. People who aren't critter people, just don't understand and I know I've said this many times before, but I feel very sorry for them. We all have been blessed. Most of us would wish our dogs didn't have EPI or any number of other issues to deal with, but they are worth every moment...every dime and we wouldn't trade these babies of ours for anything in the world. Akira is a royal pain in the neck...and I treasure every day I have with her. Yep...critterpeople get it! | |
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-- Linda, Akira, Indy and the bratcats Akira 101 lb GSD, DOB 9/18/03 Dx'd around her first birthday. First TLI score 1.1, retested 9/07 score had lowered to 0.7. "Normally" eats 2 cups Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Formula, twice daily. 2 t Pancreatin (or 1 t per cup of food) 8x enzymes given right before each meal in heaping t meat baby food with warm water and mixed to a gruel type texture.
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Member Posts: 129 |
Thank you for sharing with us this beautiful poem. I really appreciate it. | |
--Jessica and Bella | ||
| February 25, 2011 at 1:09 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 3926
Dear Devika - that was absolutely absolutely beautiful. I have tears in my eyes - I can feel the love you have for Mahi. I am always amazed that if you look deep there is something so absolutely beautiful in something that is so raw at the surface. Thank you for sharing a piece of you...this is just beautiful and I thank you with all my heart for sharing such a beautiful piece of yourself.
Michele
"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich" - having 2 makes you even richer! :-)
Jackie (back in pic) Diagnosed at 9 mos (09/09) - TLI 0.3 and low end of B12. Pancreatin 8x dosing 3/4tsp per cup. Natures Domain, Trinfac-B Intrinsic Factor daily, probiotics and Duralactin in the am. Stable and happy 115 lbs - thanks to all the beautiful souls on this forum, we could not have done it without YOU.
Dexter - Diagnosed 11/10 approx 3 yrs of age. We failed fostering and now he has his forever home 
At initial testing - TLI 1.2 (range 5-35) B12 254 (range 249-733) folate 20.2 (range 6.5-11.5) Natures Domain, Pancreatin 8x dosing is 1tsp per cup, Trinfac-B Intrinsic Factor daily, probiotics with each meal and glucosamine chondroitin in the am. Stable and happy 95 lbs 8/15/11
| February 25, 2011 at 1:10 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 751
I started to cry while reading it but Kain was eating and can't have any distractions, so I had to stop. I think that he became mine for a reason. God knew that I would take care of him and save him NO MATTER WHAT. If these EPI dogs were someone else's they may not be alive. I feel the same way with Angel, who bloated and my cat Jess that passed who was diabetic. They all came to us for a reason and that will make us stronger in the long run.
Kain, 4 yr. old GSD, Mom, Nicole, Dad, Joe, Sister Angel, 7 year old GSD, Sister Noni, 7 year old cat, and Twin Sisters, Eva and Mia, age 4. B-12: 369, TLI: less than 1, Folate: 15.7.Started Enzymes 1/14/11, 1 tsp./c, 2 1/2 cups fed once daily and 1 cup fed once daily. Nature's Variety, TOTW, Back to Basics, California Natural, all in monthly rotation, Let enzymes set 30 min. Low weight, 48 lbs, down from high of ONLY 66. Bi-Weekly B-12 shot of 1.4ml. All time high weight EVER on 12/11/11 at 71 lbs., one of the happiest days of my life, honestly, it is up there with some memorable days! *NEW WEIGHT of 76 lbs.!*
| February 25, 2011 at 1:19 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 31
The poem made me cry! Yes, I have family and friends who say they would have put TBone down. But as all of you know when you have the unconditional love and devotion that they share with you, it's like no other love. I also have said to family and friends that God knew when he blessed me with TBone I would do whatever it takes to give him the best life possible, no matter the sacrifice.
Proud mom of 3 year old German Shepard mix "TBone". dx with EPI March 2010. Lost 15 lbs but gained it back and then some after starting his treatment. Feeding Taste of the Wild Wetlands canned and dry. Gets 2 pancreatab pills with every meal, 3 meals daily.
| February 25, 2011 at 1:37 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 2473
Just lovely...
Kathy and Ted 9 yr old GSD rescue ~72 lbs now 109 lbs
| February 25, 2011 at 2:31 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 474
That is a beautiful poem, thank you so much for sharing.
Critterpeople~~love it!
Cheryl~~~Loved by Gabi (and Gus): dx'd 3/09 at 2 yrs old, cTLI 1.5. Currently 71.4 lbs. Was 52.5 lbs 09/10. Twice a day: 2cups California Naturals Grain Free Lamb w/ 1 tsp salmon oil, 100 mg Vit E, & 2 Tbls pumpkin; 1-1/2 tsp Pancreatin 8x mixed w/ 2 tsp Party Animal Salmon canned dog food & 1/8 tsp L-Glutamine given as a gruel right before feeding. Probiotic & B12 MIF once a day. Long term for IBD: Methlyprednisolone 4mg once a day .
Wausau, WI
| February 25, 2011 at 2:51 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 4186
That was just beautiful, Devika... There is a devine reason these special creatures are in special folk's hands...You've captured it beautifully!
Donna
Owned by Tara, a 8 YO GSD w/EPI and DM dx'd at about a year old. Fed Taste of the Wild Lamb formular kibble and enhance this diet with cooked meat, veggies and fruit, Enzymes: Pancreatin 8x - 1 tsp per cup of food. Suppliments include 1000 mg Wild Salmon oil, Glucosomine/Chondrotin/MSM and Probiotic acidophilus. Stable since 2005 Also owned by sidekicks' Zoey my rescued GSD and Max, a 10 MO PWC rescue - along with Tess (GSD) and Zeke (PWC) with Angel wings
| February 25, 2011 at 3:16 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 787
absolutely beautiful. thank you for sharing. what a great mom!
Paula and Maya (bday 12/21/06) (diagnosed 10/26/10 TLi 1.5, B12 659 (ref:249-733), weight 52 lbs. After 30 days, retested B12/folate - B12 plummeted to 200, which greatly affected her personality. After following B12 protocol, currently giving weekly B12 shots at home. Weight on 4/24/12: 72 lbs - the picture of health.
| February 25, 2011 at 4:06 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 2190
It says it all
can I ask a favour can I put it on my wall with a picture of Kara because it is how I feel it will be credited to you
J
Kara::
adopted at five months old 26th December 2009 always hungry more than any of my other dogs
became noticeably distressed August 2010
Two vet visits and.............
Diagnosed with EPI at 14 months old September 2010
tli<1.00 folate 8.3 cobalimin 611 taking 2 Oxytet antibiotics 3 times a day and eating Nutrix grain free duck and potato kibble and starting to put weight on currently 33 kilos as of 20th June 2011 we also use Tylan if we dont have the time to use the oxytet as it has to be on an empty tum, enzymes at the moment Pancrex granules 3 teaspoons per meal
she is 2 yrs old as of 21st July 2011
"UNCONDITIONAL LOVE WAS INVENTED BY DOGS"
| February 25, 2011 at 4:29 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 392
Thank you for sharing! We all get it and appreciate it!!!!
Thanks Wanda
Anja diagnosed at 8 mos. Jan 26,2010. Lowest weight was 54.5 lbs. Anja now weighs 75 lbs.
| February 25, 2011 at 8:19 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 106
Devika, Beautiful poem! Thanks for posting!:)
Sean
Griffey Jr. (Golden Retriever 1.5 yrs) TLI 2.5 Dx'd on 2/17/11 - IBD Bridge pup (6/14/09-4/4/11) RIP my Gold Glove Hall of Famer.
New Owner to a 8 week old GSD - Barkley
| February 25, 2011 at 8:24 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 236
Oh how true that is. Thanks for sharing and expressing our very thoughts.
Claire, permanent foster dog for New Rattitude Rat Terrier Rescue. Pulled from a county shelter 07/29/09. Diagnosed with EPI and Diabetes. cTLI 1.9, Folate 7.7, Cobalamin 266. Started B-12 shots 9/8/09. Currently being fed 2x a day, Wellness Core Ocean Formula, both dry and canned. 1/2 Tsp Pancreatin with each feeding, incubate 20 min. Novolin N, 3.5u, 2X a day. Initial weight 7.2 lbs, current weight 11.2 lbs.
| February 25, 2011 at 8:40 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Site Owner
Posts: 7645
Devika~
What a truly beautiful tribute to Mhi and all EPI dogs everywhere. You expressed what is in all of our hearts!
By the way.. how is Mahi doing????
Olesia, owned by Izzy-45lb SWD, Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.3, Stable almost 7 yrs! Once stable, was able to reduce enzymes to only 1/2 tsp of Enzymes with each meal, but after almost 4 years of stabilization... had to increase the amount of enzymes to 3/4 teaspoon with each meal. Feed various grain-free kibble+real meat, 6x pancreatin enzymes from EnzymeDiane. I give 1 tsp of coconut oil one day and 1 tsp salmon oil next day, and also give canned sardines packed without salt or canned herring for extra omega oils.
| February 26, 2011 at 6:57 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
Member
Posts: 1843
Devika,
You captured what all of us feel about our loveys with EPI. Thank you for sharing this. Mahi is indeed fortunate....
Barb
| February 26, 2011 at 7:30 PM | Flag Quote & Reply |
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