EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
managing EPI
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| Forum Home > General Discussion > Whimsey is BACK!!!! | ||
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Member Posts: 207 |
Hello everyone.. I know..I know..I know..it has been awhile
Actually, Whimsey is doing pretty good..she has not had diarrhea in almost a year and we have her diet and meds all figured out. So, technically she is doing fine. We are back because she just won't gain weight. I am thinking she looks more and more like a EPI dog all the time..you know..skin and bones. We had, in the past, put her on enzymes. She did gain a little weight..but since we did not have her diet and meds figured out..we did not see any positive (no diarrhea) results. SO..we quit giving her enzymes. Now..we have made a full circle..I think we will have better results this time.
My enzyme purchase was BioCaseV capsules. I realize these are not the enzymes of choice..but since Whimseys problem is not exactly as severe as most EPI dogs..I was thinking that I could go with the capsules. My question is this.. Whimsey is about 35-40 lbs..it says "give 2-3 capsules before feeding" on the back of the bottle. I am going to start with 2..but is it like the other enzymes..where you have to wait before feeding? How can I administer them to her? Do I get her to swallow them? Do I just open the caps and put them in her food? How long should I wait before I give her the food? Sorry...I know certain things about the enzymes..but since I have not used these before I am wondering if someone who knows can help me. THANKS Heather and Whimsey | |
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-- Whimsey is an 2 1/2 year old German Shortrhair Pointer. She was diagnosed IBD/ Lymphangectasia/allergies ,via full thickness biopsy, in December 2010. She currently eats: ground turkey, rice, potato, The Honest Kitchen "Performance" 10mg Prednisone, 1/4tsp Tylan. She also gets a B-12 shot monthly. . Also mom to Rolo a 11yo. Chocolate Lab. Oh...Tim and Jane too..my 2 legged children.:)
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Member Posts: 2060 |
Wow, Heather - a blast from the past! I've thought of you a few times over the last months. Glad to hear Whimsey's been doing well. The easiest thing to start with might be B12. I know she's not EPI, but she has digestive issues and B12 deficiency is common in those cases. I would suggest you get the WonderLabs B12 pills with intrinsic factor (details listed under the B12 tab) and give her two a day with her food and see what happens. We have seen a great number of dogs recently that didn't thrive until they were consistently getting B12 - and monthly often isn't enough Now, if you are giving her the shots yourself, you could just change that to weekly if that's easier. I actually am giving Maya the B12 capsules, and giving her a shot in stressful times (like company coming to stay). Since B12 can't hurt, I figure, why not..... I don't know about the BioCase capsules, sorry. You might try using the Advanced Search feature to see if anyone else has offered suggestions.
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-- Paula and Maya (bday 12/21/06) (diagnosed 10/26/10 TLi 1.5, B12 659 (ref:249-733), weight 52 lbs. After 30 days, retested B12/folate - B12 plummeted to 200, which greatly affected her personality. After following B12 protocol, currently giving weekly B12 shots at home. Weight in July 2012: 75 lbs - the picture of health.
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Member Posts: 4515 |
There is a blast from the past! Hey Heather - glad to all is going well!!! The first thing I leaned to also was B12 - other than that - sorry, I can't help much. Glad to hear Whimsey is doing so well though!! | |
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-- Michele http://gardensoftranquility.com/ Jackie - Diagnosed at 9 mos (09/09) - TLI 0.3 and low end of B12. Pancreatin 8x dosing 3/4tsp per cup. Natures Domain, Trinfac-B Intrinsic Factor daily, probiotics and Duralactin in the am. Mega-E: cisapride and metoclopramide. Stable and happy 122lbs - thanks to all the beautiful souls on this forum, we could not have done it without YOU. Dexter - Diagnosed 11/10 approx 3 yrs of age. We failed fostering and now he has his forever home
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Site Owner Posts: 10224 |
HI Heather so good to hear that Whimmsey has been doing so well.... but now... the setback... UGH. ANyway... i too strongly recommend getting some B12 in her, either generic cobolamin shots or B12 capsules with the intrinsic factor included (i use Wonderlab's "Trinfac") . ALso... to answer your question, yes, you would be better off to open these capsules, soprinkle on the food, moisten the food with the enzymes, let sit for 20 miunutes and then serve... you should do this to make sure the enzymes have the best opportunity to work and also do this (water & incubate) to avoid mouth sores. Hope this helps!!!!!!!!! | |
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-- 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!
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Member Posts: 207 |
Hi!! Thanks gals! Whimsey does get shots.. I had forgotten about the B12 for a couple of months..I got going along with her doing well and blitzed it. I was reading about her IBD and was upset with myself because I forgot the B12.. I started them again in October doing once weekly shots till this month..now we are at monthly. I had her blood tests run recently and everything was completely normal..however the vet doesn't test cobolamine. SO..yes..I went on gut and started those shots up again. I haven't noticed 1 oz of difference in her yet..but..I will try giving it to her weekly again from now on..also..we will start working in some enzymes. We will continue the prednisone and tylan (this dog is very expensive..lol). In the meantime, I will open the caps and let them sit. That was my instinct..so thanks Olesia for confirming that for me. Something has got to be better than nothing for my skinny little pup. | |
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-- Whimsey is an 2 1/2 year old German Shortrhair Pointer. She was diagnosed IBD/ Lymphangectasia/allergies ,via full thickness biopsy, in December 2010. She currently eats: ground turkey, rice, potato, The Honest Kitchen "Performance" 10mg Prednisone, 1/4tsp Tylan. She also gets a B-12 shot monthly. . Also mom to Rolo a 11yo. Chocolate Lab. Oh...Tim and Jane too..my 2 legged children.:)
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Member Posts: 3811 |
Heather
welcome back
it was only very recently that I was looking at a old post and saw you there
nothing to add to the melting pot but to wish you luck
please dont beat yourself up
we all have a life to lead and sometimes everything just becomes too much and we forget the small things
I know I do and I bet so does everyone else
jeanxx | |
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-- Kara From Liverpool England adopted at five months old 26th December 2009 EPI dx August 2010 tli<1.00 folate 8.3 cobalimin 611 Antibiotics 2 Oxytet antibiotics 3 times a day also if we cannot fit the Oxytet in she has Tylan 1/8th teaspoon before her meals Food- Ashenbank Lamb Casserole twice daily equalling 3 cups per day possibly more Zantac (ranitadine) 75 mg 30 minutes before each meal as too much acid was being produced enzymes-Panzym 1 gram per meal twice daily ( 1/4 teaspoon ) plus one Lypex B12 injection once every three weeks one Chemeyes B12 with intrinsic factor of 40 daily one Antepsin before bedtime alergies to beef pork chicken and white fish confirmed by blood test 33.6 kilos in weight as of 5th May 2013
"UNCONDITIONAL LOVE WAS INVENTED BY DOGS"
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Member Posts: 742 |
Hi Heather: When I was looking at alternative enzymes to purchase without a prescription, I looked up the Bio Case V on amazon.com. Mostly because from all the reviews that are given I can usually get a good feel for the product. You might just want to go on amazon, type in the product, then after the capsules options read reviews. they are all over the map, meaning some soaked them, some didn't, etc... Good luck, your pup is beautiful. | |
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-- Mickey, Jack russell, 13.5 years. DOB 6/24/99.Dx chronic pancreatitis June 2012. Enzyme Diane 6x - 1/4 teasp in capsules before meal.. Mickey is eating white rice and eggs for his diet, I changed to see if it might help his acid stomach situation. It seems to be working. 1620meq potassium citrate before bed for urine alkalinization, due to hyperuricosuria. Daily: 1 capsule Cosequine 2x a day, 1 Denamarin. I give him 1 shot of .1ml Adequan subq weekly for arthritis. Assisi loop once a day for 15 mins on his lower back to help lumbar stenosis, also had his third cold laser therapy on his spine on 5/20/2013. spec cPl: down to 584!! ug/L woohoo!! Tli : down to 23.8ug/L Folate>24ug/L cobalamin 896 ug/L
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Member Posts: 207 |
Jill..lol..That is exactly why I got the Biocase V Caps. I was on Amazon. The persuasive factor??? The price. I looked in KV vet (where I get her Tylan) and it was $11 for 30 some caps..I went to Amazon and I found 240 caps for $29!!!! ...A big no brainer when I already spend over $100 a month on this pup. I will look at the reviews to see what folks did...that's a good idea. Thanks!! | |
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-- Whimsey is an 2 1/2 year old German Shortrhair Pointer. She was diagnosed IBD/ Lymphangectasia/allergies ,via full thickness biopsy, in December 2010. She currently eats: ground turkey, rice, potato, The Honest Kitchen "Performance" 10mg Prednisone, 1/4tsp Tylan. She also gets a B-12 shot monthly. . Also mom to Rolo a 11yo. Chocolate Lab. Oh...Tim and Jane too..my 2 legged children.:)
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Administrator Posts: 2146 |
Whimsey always was a complex little mite Heather so will read on with interest on how you go. Good luck! | |
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Craig Lulu (aka Miss Lulupants) is a 5 year old 'Red Shepherd' (Australian Red Heeler x Long-hair GSD) who lives in Adelaide, South Australia. Diagnosed with EPI in April 2010. Currently on one Creon 25k per meal;
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Member Posts: 2123 |
Hello Heather. I dont know wether you are a member of the IBD group but i would suggest that it may be worth joing to talk to like minded people in the same situation as your self. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/IBDogs/
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-- 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
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Site Owner Posts: 10224 |
Ann, thanks for suggesting the IBD group to Heather..... that may be helpful. Heather, please keep us posted! | |
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-- 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!
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Member Posts: 207 |
Oh yes.. Like Craig said, Whimsey is a complex creature..I have been a member of the IBD forum for about a year. BUT.. just like on this wonderful site..I haven't had to post lately..We have been coasting along. I just recently began to wonder why the heck won't this darn dog gain weight?!!? (Hey..I live a insanely busy life..lol). I can't imagine that with the combo of her diet, meds, enzymes and weekly B-12 shots we won't see any results. We did do a baseline weight..a starting point..if you will..and she is currently at a measly 31lbs. Just to let you know..even when she was very ill with the diarrea and all..she weighed 40lbs. She looks really good in that picture to the left..So, this is becoming a priority. Thanks all.. it is great to be in touch with old friends again. Heather and the Skele-dog | |
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-- Whimsey is an 2 1/2 year old German Shortrhair Pointer. She was diagnosed IBD/ Lymphangectasia/allergies ,via full thickness biopsy, in December 2010. She currently eats: ground turkey, rice, potato, The Honest Kitchen "Performance" 10mg Prednisone, 1/4tsp Tylan. She also gets a B-12 shot monthly. . Also mom to Rolo a 11yo. Chocolate Lab. Oh...Tim and Jane too..my 2 legged children.:)
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Member Posts: 2060 |
We'll be pulling for you and your skele-dog - can't wait to not see her ribs anymore! | |
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-- Paula and Maya (bday 12/21/06) (diagnosed 10/26/10 TLi 1.5, B12 659 (ref:249-733), weight 52 lbs. After 30 days, retested B12/folate - B12 plummeted to 200, which greatly affected her personality. After following B12 protocol, currently giving weekly B12 shots at home. Weight in July 2012: 75 lbs - the picture of health.
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Member Posts: 3811 |
I thought you wee part of that forum/group
ok
lets go back to basics and what you were doing then and build on it
so.................................
give us the literal low down on everything you do in a day someone will surely come in
I have no IBD background but Kar has so many issues
jxx | |
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-- Kara From Liverpool England adopted at five months old 26th December 2009 EPI dx August 2010 tli<1.00 folate 8.3 cobalimin 611 Antibiotics 2 Oxytet antibiotics 3 times a day also if we cannot fit the Oxytet in she has Tylan 1/8th teaspoon before her meals Food- Ashenbank Lamb Casserole twice daily equalling 3 cups per day possibly more Zantac (ranitadine) 75 mg 30 minutes before each meal as too much acid was being produced enzymes-Panzym 1 gram per meal twice daily ( 1/4 teaspoon ) plus one Lypex B12 injection once every three weeks one Chemeyes B12 with intrinsic factor of 40 daily one Antepsin before bedtime alergies to beef pork chicken and white fish confirmed by blood test 33.6 kilos in weight as of 5th May 2013
"UNCONDITIONAL LOVE WAS INVENTED BY DOGS"
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Member Posts: 3811 |
ok
my post diappeared
we have been prescibed ranitadine which works on excess acids in the gut
our Doctors are looking at it for Derek who has IBS
This really has helped Kara who was shedding her bowel lining
I am also pleased to report that it has helped Gillian and Wallace who was also producing excess acids ,her vet suggested it just before Gee asked for it...............................we had discussed it at length
so it might be worth considering
Jeansss | |
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-- Kara From Liverpool England adopted at five months old 26th December 2009 EPI dx August 2010 tli<1.00 folate 8.3 cobalimin 611 Antibiotics 2 Oxytet antibiotics 3 times a day also if we cannot fit the Oxytet in she has Tylan 1/8th teaspoon before her meals Food- Ashenbank Lamb Casserole twice daily equalling 3 cups per day possibly more Zantac (ranitadine) 75 mg 30 minutes before each meal as too much acid was being produced enzymes-Panzym 1 gram per meal twice daily ( 1/4 teaspoon ) plus one Lypex B12 injection once every three weeks one Chemeyes B12 with intrinsic factor of 40 daily one Antepsin before bedtime alergies to beef pork chicken and white fish confirmed by blood test 33.6 kilos in weight as of 5th May 2013
"UNCONDITIONAL LOVE WAS INVENTED BY DOGS"
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I suppose you could say no news is good news..right??
Lulu is super-smart, a bit plump and very pretty (everybody says so - including her!).You must login to post.
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