B12 Testing

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.
User avatar
Michaela
Member
Posts: 148
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Nikki
My name: Michaela

B12 Testing

Post by Michaela » 16 May 2021, 10:52

We decided to try taking Nikki off the weekly B12 injections and switch her to the Trinfac-B capsules.

First we reduced her B12 injections to every two weeks and adding the Trinfac-B capsules, her B12 levels came back very high but they may not be correct. Her vet never mentioned stopping the B12 injections/capsules prior to testing.

She is no longer on the injections and is taking the Trinfac-B daily and we need to test her again just to be sure her B12 levels are staying in the high normal range. How long before we test her again do I need to stop the Trinfac-B so we are getting a correct reading? I have seen this information on here before but can't find it...sorry!

R.I.P. Nikki 11/21/2009 - 05/23/2023

Nikki was diagnosed with EPI in 2010
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat canned
Slippery Elm syrup for stomach issues
1 tsp Pan-Tenex enzymes with each meal
Weekly B12 shots, pills didn't work for her
Tylan for life


"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1345
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 17 May 2021, 19:15

Nikki, I just went to the B12 page, and I don't see anything about taking her off before the test, BUT, I know you're supposed to because I've been through it twice.

It is suggested to stop giving B12 seven days before the blood draw. Last time, I stopped ten days to be extra safe. This gives a true reading of her levels. ---Pam & Tucker
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.

User avatar
Michaela
Member
Posts: 148
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Nikki
My name: Michaela

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Michaela » 19 May 2021, 10:11

Thanks Pam!

R.I.P. Nikki 11/21/2009 - 05/23/2023

Nikki was diagnosed with EPI in 2010
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat canned
Slippery Elm syrup for stomach issues
1 tsp Pan-Tenex enzymes with each meal
Weekly B12 shots, pills didn't work for her
Tylan for life


"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

User avatar
Madelon
Staff
Posts: 1317
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Pet name: Doc

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Madelon » 19 May 2021, 21:09

Yes you are supposed to stop giving the B12 before testing to see how long your dog can hold the B12 without supplementing - I personally did not stop supplementing because I wanted to see what my dog's levels were with supplementing.
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.

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1345
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 20 May 2021, 13:50

Madelon, that makes sense to me. What did you find?---Pam
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.

User avatar
Michaela
Member
Posts: 148
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Nikki
My name: Michaela

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Michaela » 20 May 2021, 17:42

I found the post from Olesia and it does say to stop B12 before testing or we will get a false reading, I'll just go with her instructions. Nikki is showing signs again that her B12 may be too low which happened before when I tried to switch her to the pills.

"Also... the B12 issue.... i do think that 2 capsules could have been too much for Tucker's systems and that might be why he had looser stools on 2. HOWEVER..... knowing that his B12 was in the 600s when you were giving him 2 kind of indicates to me that it is hard for his body to maintain his B12 ..... and yes you did the right thing by withholding B12 capsules for 1 week prior to having the blood tested..... although the body gets rid of any excess B12 if it doesn't need it... it does store it for a short time and this is why it is important to stop oral B12 for 1 week prior to testing and stop injectible 1 month prior to testing. ... or else you will get a false reading of what the actual B12 level is in the dogs body. .."

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1099&hilit=b12+testing&start=10

R.I.P. Nikki 11/21/2009 - 05/23/2023

Nikki was diagnosed with EPI in 2010
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat canned
Slippery Elm syrup for stomach issues
1 tsp Pan-Tenex enzymes with each meal
Weekly B12 shots, pills didn't work for her
Tylan for life


"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

User avatar
Michaela
Member
Posts: 148
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Nikki
My name: Michaela

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Michaela » 02 Jun 2021, 16:00

Well, we got our answer. After stopping the pills for a week her B12 levels dropped to 439, back to the weekly shots.

After her blood test last week, I had them give her a B12 shot and I saw an improvement the next morning. Nikki just doesn't do well with the pills for some reason.

R.I.P. Nikki 11/21/2009 - 05/23/2023

Nikki was diagnosed with EPI in 2010
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat canned
Slippery Elm syrup for stomach issues
1 tsp Pan-Tenex enzymes with each meal
Weekly B12 shots, pills didn't work for her
Tylan for life


"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1345
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 02 Jun 2021, 16:44

I'm glad you figured out what works best for Nikki!---Pam
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.

User avatar
Jean
Forum Director
Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Jean » 03 Jun 2021, 07:30

we supplemented b12 capsules daily right through Karas life, and she had a b12 injection once monthly, their b12 can drop over night, so I would never stop for any reason

https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_ ... py_for_epi

jx
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

Barb
Staff
Posts: 918
Country: United States
State: New Jersey

Re: B12 Testing

Post by Barb » 03 Jun 2021, 08:50

I agree. You are finding what works for your pup We were able to rely on daily Wonderlabs Pet Factor to maintain Kolby's B12 levels. But it sounds like you need the injections to achieve that end. Each dog is amazingly different.

Barb

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 242 guests