EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Hello!  We have a puppy named Java who we suspect has EPI.  He is a boxer mix and he just turned 1 year old today.  He has been having diarrhea for about a month (which he eats regularly) and has lost about 12 lbs in the past 6 weeks.  I am taking him in for a GI panel in the morning to confirm the vet's and our suspicions.  She told me about the enzyme therapy and possibly doing the B12.  Our question is this - how expensive of a condition is this?  We do love our pup, but we also have two small children and if this is something that can get very expensive, we may have some very tough choices ahead of us.  I am very encouraged and optimistic from looking at the before and after pics, so I hope the treatment is something at least somewhat affordable.  I appreciate any information you all can give us! 

Thanks!  Allyson

Hi Allyson ~

ENZYMES
WHen i first learned my gal Izzy had EPI, i freaked out.... especially when i crunched the numbers and calculated that the enzymes alone were going to cost me $1,200 a year for a medium sized dog....

BUT......... after i finished the first "brand name" bottles of enzymes.... i switched to generic enzymes from EnzymeDiane http://www.enzymediane.com/ and the cost immediately was reduced to $400 a year.... and then after 3 months when my gal became stable (this time period varies from dog to dog) i was able to further reduce the amount of enzymes i gave Izzy to half the amount.... so... my annual cost for enzymes was now at $200 A YEAR!!!  THis was very do-a-ble.  THis lasted for almost 5 years.... then as she got some age on her i had to increase the enzymes a bit to where now it costs me about $300-$350 a year for enzymes.

B12
If you need to give B12.... that can be all over the map.... The B12 that is needed is cheap.... but many people have the vets show them how to administer the B12 at home to further save costs... i do not do the B12 shots.... my EPI gal did not have low B12.... but my non-EPI gal does have a B12 problem...so i give her these special B12 pillls with the intrinsic factor in them (1 pill 3 times a week) and i get 120 capsules for $14.99 http://www.wonderlabs.com/newshowitems.php

ANTIBIOTICS
If your dog needs antibiotics for SIBO.... you can buy TYlan for $55 from Amazon.com and it will last you probably a year or more, unless she is one of those that doesn't get rid of the SIBO sooner rather than later.... the standard recommendation is, if needed, to treat for 30-45 days with Tylan.

DIET
THis is the tricky part.  TO start with, we recommend starting with a low fiber food ... something with 4% or less fiber content in it.... You don't have to go real expensive.... many of these dogs do well with grain-free food from Costco called Nature's Domain for something like 35 lbs of food for $32.  Or they use Taste of the WIld, or some of the other foods.... that can be more expensive or less.... it will all depend on what your dog responds best to. 

THis is just a generalization to give you an idea..... but honestly, i have 3 dogs, one with "allergies, one with A-Typical Cushings, and Izzy with EPI.... Treating Izzy with the EPI is by far the least expensive dog to care for.....of course this is no guarantee ... but it is one example of what one EPI dog's expenses are.

Hope this helps a little.

Hello Allyson and Java.

 Welcome and so sorry that you have to be here. EPI can be overwhelming in the beginning and there is alot to learn. But with proper care , Java can have a happy and healthy life.  I hope the vet is doing the TLI test and you pup must be fasting for 12 hours .  and checking his B12  too.   Most people buy enzymes from     www.enzymediane.com   I do and they for me are 1/3 the cost  from what you buy from the vet.  Diane has a chart on her site telling of the costs of EPI. Please check it out and call her for any questions,she is an 'angel' for us EPIers !!  Most learn to give B12 shots themselves, a vial will usually expire before you can use it all. Many vets will teach you how to give it.  Also , If pups need an antibiotic for SIBO, that too can be purchased way cheaper over the internet.  It is always good to run things by your vet and it sounds like yours is on top of things.  We are not vets, but a world of people who love their pets and have much experience dealing with EPI.  I don't even think about  Kodi having EPI anymore......Please keep us posted on the test results !!!  

Hi

welcome from us in UK

i just wish we had Enzyme Diane over here, our enzymes are not cheap $400 a year geeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz thats about £260.00 British pounds we pay more a month than that sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

so its doable I hope for you Enzyme Diane looks after most of our US folk and she will be delighted to add you to her fold having been a member here for a long time

let us know the outcome

jeanx

Allyson,  Welcome to you and Java.  So sorry Java is having problems.  I'm glad you're having some testing done so you wwill find out if it is indeed EPI.  Just wanted to reinforce Dar's advice about making sure the vet is doing the TLI, cobalamine and folate tests.  Java will have to be fasted for 12 hours prior to the test for accurate results (water is fine, no food).  The TLI will tell you whether he has EPI, the cobalamine will tell you what his B12 levels are (most dogs with EPI have low B12 which needs to be addressed), and the cobalamine will give an indication whether he might have SIBO (also very common in newly diagnosed dogs).  This test is kind of expensive (cheaper to do them all at the same time than separately).  If it is EPI, as others have said, the enzymes from the vet tend to be very expensive, but Enzyme Diane has enzymes for 1/3rd the cost.  Pixie does great on these enzymes.  We bought a bottle of tylan on the internet for also much cheaper than the vet charged.  And we now give Pixie B-12 shots at home bi-weekly for a lot cheaper than having them given at the vet's office.  It's not "cheap" having an EPI dog, but there are ways to keep the costs down.  Good luck, and let us know when you get the results back!

Welcome Allyson and Java,

I'm sorry that Java is having difficulties, but once you get a diagnosis, you can then know which path to follow.   I am glad several people pointed you in the direction of the TLI Folate and Coblamin tests.   I wasn't sure from your post if those were the tests that were being done.   Then you will know for sure if Java has EPI. 

As everyone has mentioned, if it is EPI, once you get Java stabilized, there are many many ways to keep expenses down and lots of people here with knowledge and experience to give you suggestions.   The beginning is the hardest part.  

Enzyme Diane is definitely our angel!   Saves us so many $$$$. 

Please let us know how he is doing and the results of his tests.  And ask as many questions as you want.  We have all been where you are.

Barb

Hi Allyson & Java-welcome to the forum, which is like a second family to those of us with EPI dogs. As the others have said, the beginning is the worst-tests, enzymes, etc, but as you get your dog stable, EPI can be quite manageable. 

We too, use EnzymeDiane & have been very pleased. Addie has done great & we have saved lots of $$$. B-12 is very inexpensive-we give our own shots. There are many grain-free food options that aren't too expensive. 

Looking forward to hearing more about Java & seeing some pictures.:)

Frank's response to a duplicate thread that i deleted because for some reason it posted twice....

Hi Allyson,

Welcome to the group.  This is a tough question for EPI dog owners.   This health issue is not curable but treatable.  With the enzymes these dogs can and do thrive.  My Ayasha is a GSD that has progressed to the point that she has had to go on a diet, and people are amazed when they hear about EPI. And she was diagnosed in Dec 2007.

A page for you to look at for costs would be on Enzyme Diane's site

http://www.enzymediane.com/coststomanageepi.htm

One thing you need to understand 1 teaspoon of enzymes to 1 cup of food is a starting point.  Some dogs need a little more and some need a little less.

Another page to look at is:

http://www.epi4dogs.com/apps/forums/topics/show/1454038-calculating-enzyme-cost-from-enzyme-diane-6x-vs-8x-

Please do the research.  If need be look into rescues in your area.

Frank & Ayasha