EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

It has been a while since I have posted, I have checked in and snooped a little.

Bella is now 2 and has been very controlled until about 2 weeks ago. Not sure what happened at that time. We changed food about a month ago and 3 weeks ago she had a reaction to a bug bite, so she was on Predisone and Benedryl for just over a week. 2 weeks ago she had her Rabies shot. Now she is down 3 lbs, which would normally not mean much, but she is a petite Bulldog and normally 36 lbs, so that is almost 10% body weight in 2 weeks.

When I first noticed the weight loss, I started adding Raw Patties into her diet. They tend to be much more absorbed. Her poops aren't bad, they are much smaller than before, not tootsie roll, but she rarely had dark brown tootsie roll poops. Hers are firm and med brown...not the yellowy huge "fluffy" poops she had before her diagnosis.

So where should I start? food change again? increase enzymes? re-ck on blood work? (her B12 was okay 2 yrs ago)

I hope someone out there has answers for me. I feel like Bella is going backwards and quickly.

Hi Leslie... i am so so sorry Bella is having a set-back... gosh i dread those... they kind of sneak up on you just when you think all is well.... good think though is that once you find the trigger, things go back to progressing normally....

YES... that is exactly what i would try first...... increase the powdered enzymes by 1/8 of a teaspoon... watch the poo- -do this for a couple of days...if you see any improvement... maybe even increase it up to 1/4 more of a teaspoon.

The other thing is...is possible B12 issues.....  Sometimes when this goes phooey... and you see a set-back.... it's a B12 issue.....

So yes.....If you can, i would check her B12 levels..... 

It sounds like she had a lot of chemicals recently

Hi Leslie,

It is always disappointing when a setback occurs.  You get this sick feeling in your stomach that says, "Uh-Oh."  But we have found that there is usually a reason and tweaking various things will tell you what it is.

I agree with Olesia.  Try in creasing the enzymes as she suggested. 

I definitely would check the B12.    Every time Kolby had a setback, it was either SIBO or B12.   It doesn't sound like Bella is having SIBO symptoms, so I would go with the B12. 

She had a lot of changes in the past month, so they may have all had a little part in setting her back.   You will get her back on track. 

Good Luck.  Don't panic.

Barb

Hmmmm....my original post went off into cyber space.

Bella sounds like she has had a lot going on in the last month, any of those things could have caused a bit of a set back. I also echo getting the B12 checked.

It is a bummer when things get off track...but know we've all been there...and will be here with you if you need anything. Keep us posted if you up the enzymes a bit and if it helps.

Lisa

Thanks so much. I will get her in to repeat her panel. In the mean time I will increase her enzymes. I noticed she is real gassy today. She has had break throughs of SIBO before, but never lost weight. I plan on getting her on Metro tomorrow. I will keep you posted.

uh-oh.... gas too????  sounds like SIBO.... glad you are going to start the Metro also...

It could be that she needs her enzymes slightly increased and the could be responsible for "inviting SIBO"...and /or slipping B12 can do the same.... when the B12 is off, that too can invite SIBO. *sigh*

Poor baby.... please keep us posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

I guess I spoke too soon about her not having symptoms of SIBO.   Glad you're getting  the metro!  We are never without tylan in this house......

Barb

Bella has had a rough month    Last year when Boss was on a round of Pred his weight took a real nose dive.  Our previous pups have never responded so poorly to Pred.  So maybe it did not sit well with your Bella either?  Boss just had a rabies shot last week and I am holding my breath as I wait to see how he handles that.  So I can appreciate your concern over Bella's recent rabies shot.  Paws crossed it is not causing her any problems.   Sounds like you have a good plan in place to check enzymes, B12 and SIBO.... hopefully some tweaking of those items will have those 3 pounds reappearing ASAP

Hi Leslie,  You've already gotten all the suggestions I could have given you, so I'll just say hi and that I hope you figure things out soon. 

I don't get Bella the 3 yr rabies shot. It did a lot of damage to our other Bulldog, hair loss, paw licking ect...I guess those are side affects, so I told the vet NO for Bella.

The gas just started tonight. I feel so bad she will have to wait until the morning, I know it bothers her to be gassy.

Ahh.... darn !!!  Nothing to add.... hope Bella  feels better soon !!

Leslie, be sure to let us know how she does tomorrow.....

poor Bella, still, setbacks are part and parcel of this thing. We had a relatively minor one late last year but are now seemingly on an even better regime and for us, B12 was a key determinate. We use oral B12 with the intrinsic factor and even though Lulu's levels were off the good end of the scale when she was diagnosed, regaular B12 has been a fantastic addition to her diet. Gas is no fun, hope she's not too uncomfortable and the good bacteria fights the good fight with gusto!

Oh, so sorry to hear that Bella is not feeling great. Happens with most of these epi pups from time to time. She will come through this with flying colours, I'm sure. Big hugs. We'll be waiting for her next, very positive update.