EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Hi 

I am new to this site but would have loved the support  18 months ago when Mel was finally diagnosed with EPI.  She has been very well since them but is now drinking  loads and having a lot of accidents. Can anyone tell me if there is a connection with EPI and diabetes? She is now just 2 years old.

Thanks

From Essex, England 

There is occasionally a connection, since both are pancreas-related. See the tab at the top at the top of the page called "concurrent conditions". Welcome to our forum, you'll find lots of support if Mel (love the name Melon Collie!) if it is diabetes (there are a few members dealing with both).

Hi and a very warm welcome to you and Melon.

Although diabetes may be a possibility, there are others that you might want to investigate like possible urinary tract infections... sometimes this happens and causes excessive thirst and peeing..... or it could be an enzyme change or a diet change (yours or the dog food mfg may have changed ingredients in the food)....

As Paula suggested, if you go to the Concurrent Condition tab... we have Diabetes and Urinary Tract infections listed that you might want to look into.

Hope this helps and please feel free to give more details or ask more questions.

Warm welcome from Worcestershire.

Somebody posted these sort of symptoms the other week but they were SIBO related.

Your vet should be able to test for diabetes very quickly.

But please post up all your information and current treatment.

Ann

Hello and welcome !!!  You are in good hands with your fellow UK ers... different products on your side of the pond !!   Melon collie..... love the name!!

Thanks for your help. We tried treating for a urine infection an as a nurse myself was able to dip the urine which showed no sign of infection but lots of glucose. Mel has lost 0.7 kg since Thursday and the puddles are leaving the floor sticky. The vet has done various tests today and they are almost sure she as diabetes too now. Scan has only shown a small pancreas. just waiting for one more blood result tomorrow. 

Let us know how you get on .

Ann

I am sorry you are dealing with a new challenge.  But welcome to our family....there are others whose pups have more than one condition.   If she does have diabetes along with EPI, there are people here to help.

Let us know.

Barb

Thanks. She has been sedated at the vets today for scans and blood tests and is feeling very sorry for herself. She is drinking loads and is very hungry. Just got to see the results of blood tests tomorrow but I know what it will say. As when the EPI was diagnosed I just want to get her started on medication as soon as possible and make her feel better although I don't know how she will be with the injections, Still we will come to that tomorrow.

Thanks again for your support,

Jacqui

Jacqui.... i am so sorry to hear that Melon (and you) are going thru all this.  To answer  your original question, EPI & Diabetes together does happen but oddly enough it is not as frequent as one would think.

Please keep us posted. THe only info i can offer at this time is that even though the text books say to get the EPI is more difficult.. we have found with our members that the EPI is the easy part..it seems to be that the diabetes is the part that takes a lot of manuevering to get under control. And it also appears that for those that seemed to have issues regulating the diabetes... it appeared that once they happened upon the right insulin product for their pet, then things starting working nicely.

Hi Jacqui - sorry to hear you are having a difficult time.   I have to tell you - I love your name "Melon collie" ...very cute and a beautiful dog to boot!   I hope Melon has recovered from her "trauma" today and hopefully soon you will be treating her and she will be on the road to wellness.   Please do let us know how the tests come back.   My best coming your way...

Hi Jacqui-----i  have sent a personal message to another Uk member whose dog has diabetes hopefully she will check in later and see what results you have got and at least discuss food options etc with you and iits nice to have someone else to discuss this with there are a few other members hopefully they will chime in as well.

Ann

Hiya

Thanks for all your support. 

Still haven't heard from the vet but have got to get her on insulin quickly as she really is not at all well. I am a human nurse trained extensively in diabetes so I don't find the thought of injections at all daunting. However I also know the problems associated with diabetes and gaining control. 

I do need to look at her food as the one I am using it too high in sugar. But so many of the ones advertised for diabetes say for obese dogs. 

We were lucky with he EPI as the first treatment we started her on worked very well straight away and she has been well since. 

Thanks again , I will let yo know how we get on this afternoon. 

Jacqui

Diabetes confirmed. 1st dose of insulin given. The vet has given her caninsulin just got to keep an eye on her to see how she reacts. Hoping for a better night tonight, poor little thing. My son 18 has gone into panic mode thinking we will overdose her. Relieved to finally get her on treatment. She only started getting ill 10 days ago but has gone down so fast. The vet said since the food she is on is good for her EPI not to change it but to adjust her insulin instead. 

Thanks again

Jacqui

I'm a little late but welcome to the forum. so sorry you are dealing with multiple issues. But as you said, at least you know now what it is, and you can go about tweaking things to get it right. Your training as a nurse sure helps since you didn't have to learn how to give injections or be nervous about it.

My best to you & Melon-love the name-she is truely beautiful. I hope she is feeling better soon. Lots of hugs to her for her traumatic last few days!

Jacqui

Well she has got the right mum with you.

From looking back at something Sally who i sent a PM to  did the same thing she adjusted the insulin to the food.

Hopefully she will chime in .

As a matter of interest what do you feed and what ratio of  food and panzym do you use.

Hoping you and your family have a better night.

Ann

Hiya. When Mel was first ill we tried changing her food, took vets advice several times. Tried all the expensive ones and ended up on bakers complete. Cheap and cheerful but balanced although high in sugar!  But it suited her and she put on weight and went from strength to strength on it. She has half a teaspoonful of panzym mixed with the food and then covered in water. We used to leave it to prove but find it doesn't  make any difference. If she has any treats we moisten one end and dip in the panzym. I soon know if she eats anything she hasn't been given by us, ugh. (She loves tissues). She loves apple cores but only with a sprinkle of panzym. I know this might have to change. I also give her a tomato a day after food to stop her urine burning the grass. 

Hope that makes since and is helpful. 

Jacqui 

Forgot to say food is a large beaker of food x 2 a day. 

Hi Jacqui,

All of your instincts were right.  Glad you got her started on insulin right away.   I hope you reach a balance easily and she can feel better soon.   You will too.  Sending healing thoughts your way and lots of hugs.

You are doing a great job.   This is challenging work.

Barb

Welcome from us too. I'm glad you know what you're dealing with and hope that Mel settles into the new routine quickly and easily.