New here - meet Johnny!

Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s mission is the advancement of science and education relating to EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), yielding useful insights and positive outcomes in better managing EPI in dogs and cats. Our goals are to support and/or collaborate with veterinary EPI research and researchers, and to promote EPI awareness by educating the general public, pet owners, pet organizations, rescue and shelter organizations, veterinary schools and veterinarians.
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jilbert57
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Posts: 2081
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by jilbert57 » 09 Mar 2021, 22:54

I also would agree to stick with what is working, 4 B12 caps.
I am so glad your pup is thriving.

Jill
My name is Jill and we live on the Hood Canal in Washington State. We currently have 2 Jack russells, TJ is 8 and Sadie is 2.

Mickey and his pancreatitis brought me to Epi4dogs.com site in 2012 to help manage it.
He lived from 6/99 - 8/2014

Mickey, Jack Russell. Chronic Pancreatitis. Dianes enzymes, 1/8t 3x/day with meals.

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Johnnycake
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Posts: 51
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Johnny
My name: MacKenzie

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Johnnycake » 10 Mar 2021, 09:59

That makes a lot of sense, thank you guys so much! I’ll keep with the 4 for now then.

This is probably a really stupid question, but because he’s still a growing puppy, would that also maybe contribute? Like it makes sense he still needs 4 capsules now since he was 30 pounds lighter when he started on them? The vet thinks either he was a lot younger than the shelter thought (which would make sense as he very likely has some giant breed in him), or his development was delayed by nutrient deficiencies and some of it is just taking place now that he’s healthy and growing again. He’s still losing his baby teeth though!

In other news, ever since he became stable Johnny has actually been in training as my psychiatric service dog! I train animals professionally so I’m training him myself - obviously his health and comfort always come first. That being said, he has the perfect temperament for it and honestly he’s done amazing, I think he’s just about one in a million and I’m so lucky to have found him. He’s contributed so much to my quality of life already and I think we make a good team, the two of us :)
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jilbert57
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Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by jilbert57 » 10 Mar 2021, 10:07

Johnny is so darn cute! Looks part heeler.
I am so glad he is working out for you as a service dog. How wonderful. Keep the pictures coming :D

Jill
My name is Jill and we live on the Hood Canal in Washington State. We currently have 2 Jack russells, TJ is 8 and Sadie is 2.

Mickey and his pancreatitis brought me to Epi4dogs.com site in 2012 to help manage it.
He lived from 6/99 - 8/2014

Mickey, Jack Russell. Chronic Pancreatitis. Dianes enzymes, 1/8t 3x/day with meals.

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Madelon
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State: Tennessee
Pet name: Doc

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Madelon » 14 Mar 2021, 11:48

Awwww Johnny is adorable :) These dogs do tend to have a much stronger bond with their humans than other dogs do. Even though my German Shepherd is not a snuggler (I would give ANYTHING if he would snuggle) he's definitely my soul mate and my bond with him is stronger than I've ever had with another dog.
Madelon, owned by DOC. DOC dx EPI 5/2015 = TLI < .4, B12 406; Folate >24. DOC taught me so much and together we battled and overcame EPI, food sensitivies, environmental allergies but we lost the cancer battle. DOC was dx with hemangiosarcoma 5/2022 and crossed the rainbow bridge July 24, 2022. He is and always will be the love of my life, my soulmate, my heart dog.

Barb
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Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Barb » 14 Mar 2021, 14:46

Beautiful pictures! Johnny is stunning.

That is wonderful that he will be your service dog. EPI dogs can do just about anything once they are stable in their treatment. Congratulations!

Barb

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Johnnycake
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Posts: 51
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Johnny
My name: MacKenzie

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Johnnycake » 30 Jun 2021, 15:52

Hey you guys!!! It's been awhile so I am back with some updates on Johnny! He has reached his optimal weight and his B12 is finally maintaining where it should be! We talked with his vet and switched him to weekly B12 injections awhile back and he seems to be doing a lot better with those. We did switch him to a food with grains and that seems to have resolved the lingering issues we were having with diarrhea and gas so I guess he is one of those that just does worse somehow with grain free.

In other news, Johnny has been doing wonderfully as my service dog - the progress he has made is actually incredible, and far beyond what people told me would be possible even if he weren't a rescue. He has given me so much of my life and independence back. I've had a few people in the service dog community give me grief for "working a disabled dog" but honestly, he seems just as capable to me, not to mention that he seems to enjoy the work and I never ever force him to do anything if he doesn't want to or isn't feeling up to it that day. We also spend lots of time just having fun at the park or hiking! He has discovered a love for anything to do with water and swimming!

And, we sent in a Wisdom Panel and just recently got it back in! I sent off an Embark DNA test also and can post results here when they come in.

Johnny tested as 50% Saint Bernard, 12.5% Siberian Husky, 12.5% German Shepherd, 12.5% American Staffordshire Terrier, and the remaining genes were a bunch of mixed breeds that couldn't be discerned. Super interesting! I wish I knew whether his siblings ended up with EPI too!

Here are some recent pictures, including a couple of him working!
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jilbert57
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Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by jilbert57 » 30 Jun 2021, 16:07

What a great update! Thank you.
So interesting to find out your pups make up wow 50% St. Bernard. Huge dog!
I love the pictures and so glad you are each rescuing each other and having a wonderful life!

Jill
My name is Jill and we live on the Hood Canal in Washington State. We currently have 2 Jack russells, TJ is 8 and Sadie is 2.

Mickey and his pancreatitis brought me to Epi4dogs.com site in 2012 to help manage it.
He lived from 6/99 - 8/2014

Mickey, Jack Russell. Chronic Pancreatitis. Dianes enzymes, 1/8t 3x/day with meals.

Jane&Clyde
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Posts: 157
Country: United States
Pet name: Clyde
My name: Jane

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Jane&Clyde » 30 Jun 2021, 16:36

How great to hear that Johnny is doing so well! Please don't listen to folk who have criticized you for making him a service dog. I'm sure he loves every minute of it.

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Olesia711
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Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Olesia711 » 30 Jun 2021, 16:49

Oh My goodness ... what a fabulous update!!!!!!! Not only did you find the right balance of the EPI protocol in treating Johnny, hea is doing well now AND he has become a wonderful service dog for you.... Now that's what a call a fabulous " TWOfer" :)

I also looked back at his baby pic from Jan.... he sure has GROWN.... a lot! Big Boy

If you wouldn't mind, and if you have the time..... i think it would be lovely if you would write a little piece about Johnny... how he was a rescue, had health issues, was diagnosed with EPI, you worked thru that and he is now your service dog..... in short... an EPI dog can be ANYTHING - -EPI does not have to hold them back!
Include a few pictures... email it to me at: olesia.kennedy@gmail.com and with your permission, we can post Johnny's story on our FB page.....(if you are okay with this). His story might really give hope to those that folks who are new to dealing with EPI........................
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

Tuckaboo Pam
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Posts: 1335
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: New here - meet Johnny!

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 30 Jun 2021, 20:49

Johnny is stunning! Yea for both of you!!! Thanks for the update, Mackenzie.
Tucker was a shepherd/lab mix--- TLI 1.3, Folate 9.7, Cobalamin 666, Lipase 38. Took Diane's Enzymes 4 teaspoons/day, Wonderlabs B12 one capsule per day, and Tylan 1/16 teaspoon/ morning (to hold SID at bay). Taste of the Wild High Prairie, 1 1/2 cups/day, with a total of 4 cups of Fresh Pet. Stopped eating everything in sight, and went from 60 to 85 pounds! Tucker was my boyfriend, and my husband was OK with that. Tucker succumbed to hemangiosarcoma, but we cherished every day we had with that wonderful, beautiful boy. I will always, always miss my sweet big boy.

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