EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
managing EPI
Forum
| Forum Home > General Discussion > HELP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Member Posts: 1512 |
Going to try and paste entries from the other thread about Spanky so everything's in one place
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
--
- Barb -
Mom to Cedar, diagnosed with EPI Nov 1, 2010, TLI 1.2, Feb 2013 B12 653 (150-700), Folate 23 (7-39); B12 injections weekly; 1 3/4 tsp pancreatin 8X/meal, 1 1/4 c TOTW Pacific Stream or Sierra Mountain + 1/2 c add ins (pork, salmon, sardines, haddock, egg, pumpkin are the usual), 1/3 c water, incubated x 30 minutes; 2 meals/day; current weight 68.9 lbs. Also has Pannus; treated with tacrolimus ointment 2 x daily each eye and gets 100 ug Vit E daily for immature cataracts. Also Mom to pupkids Bree and Griffin, and catkids Abby, Diamond and Max...and skinkid Ayden
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2135 |
Hi Jess, I just posted on your other thread....whoops! I will try to move it here. Barb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
--
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2135 |
Barb Member Posts: 1711 Hello, and welcome to you and Spanky. I am sorry he is having difficulties. The beginning is the most difficult part until you start to get the food, enzymes, antis and B12 balanced, so try not to be discouraged. What jumped out at me is his B12 level. It is very low and could be causing many of his symptoms. I don't think I read that you are supplementing him with B12. Many of our dogs have low B12 when they are first diagnosed and there is a protocol to follow (under the B12 tab). Your vet (or you, if you are comfortable) should give injections of cobalamin (generic B12, not B12 complex) once a week to start for 6 weeks and then follow the directions in the protocol.
I do not have experience with IBD, but many of our other members do, so they can chime in here.
I also use the powdered enzymes from enzyme diane, 1 tsp. per cup of food. I dissolve it in warm (not hot) water first, then pour the mixture over the kibble and soak (Kolby gets mouth ulcers, so I have to soak it for 45 minutes--others soak for 20 to 30 minutes).
Please let us know how Spanky is doing. Hang in there. It will get better.
Barb
-- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
--
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2868 |
Hi Jess and welcome to you and Spanky. I'm a little confused on your test results. The cPL results are consistent with pancreatitis yet the TLI is 1.8 which is EPI. Pancreatitis can lead to EPI but Spanky can't have both. When did you have each test done? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Kathy and Ted 10 yr old GSD rescue ~ gained 39 lbs
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Site Owner Posts: 10228 |
HI Jess...... thank you for posting the results....." TIL 1.8, Cobalamin less than 150 " Yep.... Spanky has EPI with a TLI value of 1.8... but like Kathy stated.... can't really have both at the the same time, probably had pancreatitis that lead to EPI.... we see this happen too... ANyway... i do want to support what Barb said about the B12. Spanky was very low on the B12....so glad to hear that he is now on a B12 regimen.....but just wanted to let you know that when the B12 is very low,sometimes you see immediate improvement but other times it might take a couple of weeks.... i just wanted to let you know this in case you are not seeing major improvement right away and if you are worried about it. Please keep us posted! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- 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. In Feb 2013, Izzy developed a very serious condition called IMHA which she (thankfully) beat and is now in remission. We also discovered that now, at 8 years old, she not only has EPI, but also Diabetes and Low Thyroid. Izzy was able to receive excellent care because of the kindness of so many here on epi4dogs and is currently doing extra-ordinarily well. If anyone could spend a day with Izzy, they would never guess that she has any health problems!
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 492 |
Hi Jess & Spanky, Gabi has both EPI & IBD. Both of which are manageable after you get stable. Food is the biggest issue with IBD. Once dx'd, we changed to a novel protein-lamb. Also, no dairy. You can see everything she is taking in my signature.
Every dog is different & lots of trial & error with keeping a log helped. Talk to your vet too. Gabi needs a few Rx's, so it was very important to find a vet that would work with us.
If you would like more in deepth info on what we do, please feel free to ask. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- 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 1/2 tsp salmon oil, 100 mg Vit E, & 2 Tbls pumpkin; 1-1/2 tsp Pancreatin 8x mixed w/ 2 tsp Salmon canned dog food & 1/8 tsp L-Glutamine given as a gruel right before feeding. Probiotic & Trinfac B12 once a day. Long term for IBD: Prednisolone 5mg once a day . Wausau, WI
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 464 |
Hi Jess & Spanky. Just a quick welcome from us. We are fortunate that we only have to deal with EPI so I can't speak to other conditions such as IBD. This is a wonderful forum full of of very knowledgeable & compassionate folks, who bring a wealth of experience to everyone who needs help. As you have already seen, you can ask anything here & someone will chime in soon. Good Luck!:) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Kelli & Addie
Shetland Sheepdog, 4 yr- old female, diagnosed 7/18/11. TLI 1.6, Folate >24, B-12 <150. B-12 shots every week. Weight 28lbs-now 40! Member of Chunky Monkey Club! Feeding Canidae Pure Elements 1/2 C 2x/day, 1/4C at night. Mix & set 20 min. Tylan 2x/day for recurring SIBO. Coconut Oil 1 tsp/day. Omeprisol 1/day for acid reflux
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 17 | The time has come. nothing has worked n my hushand n I can not do any more! I appreciate every1 that has helped during our journey! We just can't stand to c him look this way, n we dnt knw but assume he is suffering. Please say. Special prayer for us through this tough decision! ThAnks again, Jess | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2868 |
I am so sorry, Jess. Prayers being said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Kathy and Ted 10 yr old GSD rescue ~ gained 39 lbs
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2135 |
Jess, I am so sorry to read this. I am lighting a candle for all of you, sending you Light and Love. Barb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
--
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 1665 |
Jess, Prayers for your family and Spanky.... so sorry to read this....(((HUGS))) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Dar and Kodi, From Washington state Kodi (GSD female) , born August 19, 2010 , was diagnosed July 15, 2011 at 11 months .Lowest weight, 47 lbs, weight as of 4/27/2013 62.9 lbs. Our goal for her at this time is now 65 lbs. !!! And she made it!! . TLI .07 , Folate 9.4 , Cobalmin 536 . Kodi is on Great Life grain and potato free Buffalo,1 & 1/2 cups kibble with added canned or home cooked bison 3 times a day with 2 teaspoons of enzymes from Diane. (Also some home cooked meals)1 Trinfac-B capsule once a day. Also 1/8 t. of ground coriander, 1/16 t. of ground fennel seed and cinnamon per meal (for stomach acid and burps). Having acupunture with a holistic vet for food and enviromental allergies, doing accupressure points and taking 1000 mg.Super Quercetin daily for allergies.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2124 |
Jess i am so sorry..........painful as it is we have to do what is right for our dogs. Ann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- ANN (UK)
Maddie DOB 01-10-2007 she is now 5 DX 04/11 .B12 140 now 644 TLI <1.00 Folate 14.2. B12 RETESTED 0N 21-05-2013 Value 902 after 15 months of daily piils Yipheeee Weight was 22.3kg now 33.2kg (04-05-12) she is a small GSDbut she gained .(24lbs) Feed a mixture of foods she does better on fibre 3% and below she has b12 tablets daily (imported from the USAhttp://www.wonderlabs.com/itemleft.php?itemnum=6881) now changing to the uk version from http://www.chemeyes.co.uk/ Also omega3 and Vitamin E daily. Use Panzym 1/4 a tsp per 200 grams of food .Got SIBO under control after antibiotics ( stormormgyl) used synbotic by protexin. a pre-probotic
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 464 | Oh Jess- so sorry to read this. Big hugs & prayers for you & your family as you face this difficult decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Kelli & Addie
Shetland Sheepdog, 4 yr- old female, diagnosed 7/18/11. TLI 1.6, Folate >24, B-12 <150. B-12 shots every week. Weight 28lbs-now 40! Member of Chunky Monkey Club! Feeding Canidae Pure Elements 1/2 C 2x/day, 1/4C at night. Mix & set 20 min. Tylan 2x/day for recurring SIBO. Coconut Oil 1 tsp/day. Omeprisol 1/day for acid reflux
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2247 |
I am so sorry too Jess. Never an easy decision. Hugs to you & your family. Spanky will have many friends at the Rainbow Bridge to run & play with & be happy & well again. Thinking of you.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Lynn, From Melbourne, Australia. Owned by Tess (Irish Setter), Grace (English Setter) & Megg, my beautiful 'English' EPI Angel - Forever in my heart. .
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2780 |
Prayers for you Jess and your family and Spanky. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- ~Becky~
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 2120 |
Prayers and hugs for you and your sweet Spanky. Val
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Razzy, GSD. EPI for 4 1/2 years... sadly lost to cancer 30th July 2011 aged 9 1/2 years.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Site Owner Posts: 10228 |
Oh Jess... i am so SO sorry to hear that nothing seems to be working for Spanky.... sadly, sometimes no matter how hard we try to fix them..... it just isn't meant to be. Please know that you and Spanky are in our prayers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- 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. In Feb 2013, Izzy developed a very serious condition called IMHA which she (thankfully) beat and is now in remission. We also discovered that now, at 8 years old, she not only has EPI, but also Diabetes and Low Thyroid. Izzy was able to receive excellent care because of the kindness of so many here on epi4dogs and is currently doing extra-ordinarily well. If anyone could spend a day with Izzy, they would never guess that she has any health problems!
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 1512 |
I'm so sorry for your loss Jess. Peace and strength as you move through this difficult time. Godspeed Spanky, run free sweet boy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
--
- Barb -
Mom to Cedar, diagnosed with EPI Nov 1, 2010, TLI 1.2, Feb 2013 B12 653 (150-700), Folate 23 (7-39); B12 injections weekly; 1 3/4 tsp pancreatin 8X/meal, 1 1/4 c TOTW Pacific Stream or Sierra Mountain + 1/2 c add ins (pork, salmon, sardines, haddock, egg, pumpkin are the usual), 1/3 c water, incubated x 30 minutes; 2 meals/day; current weight 68.9 lbs. Also has Pannus; treated with tacrolimus ointment 2 x daily each eye and gets 100 ug Vit E daily for immature cataracts. Also Mom to pupkids Bree and Griffin, and catkids Abby, Diamond and Max...and skinkid Ayden
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member Posts: 1328 |
Jess, I wanted to let you know that you, Spanky and your family are being thought of. I know this is the toughest decision any of us ever has to make when it comes to our furbabies. I don't know if Spanky is running free at the Rainbow Bridge yet but wanted to let you know you we are here for you. If you get a chance please let us know how you are all doing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
-- Terry Mom of two EPI Shiloh Shepherds: Pharaoh born Nov. 2007 and dx with epi December 2009. Pharaoh weighed 62.4 lbs. (15 lb. weight loss) when diagnosed in 12/2009. Weight 10/31/11 his weight was 76.6. 85lbs on 9/22/12. Received six weeks of B12 shots Jan-Feb 2010 but his B12 on 8/10/2010 was only 232. So started weekly shots at home, which we continue to give. His older half sister is Taiko born Sept. 2006 and was dx with epi June 2010. Since she has severe bilateral hip dysplasia she had always been on the thin side. Taiko's weight was 70.7 lbs. in June 2010 (time of diagnosis; about a 10 lb. weight loss. Weight on 10/31/11 was 80.4 and on 9/22/12 was 82.4 lbs. B12 was 211 in June 2010 so started six weeks of shots and was only 293 on 8/10/10. She receive B12 shots weekly at home. Both are fed twice a day and we use either Costco grain free brand or Merrick BG brand:2 1/2 cups kibble in the morning and 4 oz cooked meat (usually steak) with 4 crushed tablets and in the evening 2 cups kibble with 4 oz cooked meat with 4 crushed tablets.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You must login to post.
Advanced Forum Search
For best results use this box to search forum
Recent Forum Posts
Recent Videos
