EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

(posted by one of our EPI FORUM members, Gillian,  and am placing  in the FILES section for future reference)
Thank you Gillian!

My friend's dog died last night. I'm sure it was Bloat. So I thought I would warn others. PLEASE try to remember the signs so that you can act quickly.

This condition is caused by a twisting of the stomach and thus trapping the stomach contents and gases resulting in a rapid swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain and eventual death if untreated. It is a true emergency, requiring immediate veterinary action. This condition is most often found in large deep chested breeds. Anyone owning a deep chested breed, susceptible to Twisted Gut should be prepared to handle the emergency procedures necessary, including having readily available the name and phone number of emergency clinics and/or who to call after hours.

Symptoms can be subtle. You should learn to recognize them:

• Continuous pacing and/or lying down in odd places.
• Salivating, panting, whining.
• Unable to get comfortable.
• Acting agitated.
• Unproductive vomiting or retching (may produce frothy foamy vomit in small quantities).
• Excessive drooling, usually accompanied by retching noises.
• Swelling in abdominal area (may or may not be noticeable).

It is recommended that large dogs are fed on a stand to help reduce the chances of this condition occurring.

Gillian - your comment about feeding on a stand caught my eye, because I remember reading the opposite. I went to your link and their recommendation is the opposite - dogs at risk should be fed on the floor. Just wanted to clarify since this is a common misunderstanding.

Can I say tha t Pepcid  is as good as anything for a SOS for BLOAT shoved down the mouth and HOP straight to the vet

If ANY combination of these symptoms are noticed, CALL YOUR VET and get the dog there as fast as possible. Bloat is LIFE-THREATENING.

Full information can be found at this link Pet Education - Twisted Gut http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1571&aid=402

Hopefully this information will save a dog's life.

Found this for UK people http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=159&pf_id=54612 someone in the rescue recommended it.

x

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Wallace rescue GSD. Currently feeding Nutrix Duck and Potato grain-free food. One Lypex capsule and 1 1/2 ounces of raw pig pancreas per meal - three meals per day. 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. Poos consistently excellent and slowly gaining weight!