TLI Results Yesterday -- 1.1 ug/L

[Coco2020]

Just discovered this website yesterday and we are so thankful there is so much information and so many people willing to share and help others.

Our little Coco got sick suddenly just 4 weeks ago. Noting but cowpies, losing weight, and constant fatigue. Voracious appetite and eating double. And she was showing all the other symptoms too, just like so many of your dogs have in your experiences with EPI. But 4 weeks ago we were completely stumped and never heard of EPI. After multiple visits to the Vet and $1,000 dollars we still had no hope. Our vet was very motivated to help but completely stumped and was referring us to specialists that were about to start several thousand dollars of tests.

Then a good friend heard Coco's symptoms just last Sunday and immediately said "EPI". He had many years of experience with an EPI dog. We began reading everything we could and all of her symptoms suddenly made since. As odd as it may sound to all you dog lovers, we found ourselves hoping that our Coco would be diagnosed with a life long chronic disease! Our Vet agreed to do the cTLI test on Wednesday, and just yesterday we got the result, 1.1 ug/L.

It has all happened so fast and we have a lot to learn, but getting a clear diagnosis and finding this website has given us renewed hope.

We are working on getting our protocols dialed in (Ha! Who am I kidding? We are just learning about the 4 cornerstones of recovery!). At any rate, we are happy to report that even just 24hrs after Prozyme treatment she has regained a lot of energy and is improving.

As I said, we just learned about the 4 cornerstones of recovery and will get busy on those. (we didn't even know about B12 testing till reading this website yesterday).

For now, my first question is about the enzymes. Our Vet gave us Prozyme and it has definitely helped, but as we do our reading we now understand it is plant based, rather than porcine, and apparently it may make a big difference.

Does anyone find that Prozyme works out well to regain weight and get normal stools? It has definitely been beneficial to Coco in the short term but what do you all think? Should we just switch to porcine enzymes?





1st day home from the rescue

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1 week shy of 1 year old at 6.8lbs, normally 8.3 pounds

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[jilbert57]

Hi Bryan, Coco is adorable!
Good job on being proactive and reading the website.
The plant based enzymes are not usually strong enough for an Epi pup.
We have a great source for porcine(and bovine) enzymes here from www.enzymediane.com . Diane had an Epi pup Sarge and she wanted to provide the best enzymes at a great price.
You do not need a prescription for these.

Jill

[Tuckaboo Pam]

Hi Bryan and Coco, and Welcome!!! Tucker and I live outside of Gainesville, and just like you, we had a hand in figuring out what was going on when he started pooing yellow cow pies, losing weight, and eating the most bizarre things. You getting all the way to test results in four weeks is a great report, in my opinion!

I second Enzyme Diane! If you want to order a sample pack, you can. It will probably last your little munchkin a good while. But if I were you, I'd order a small bag & overnight it. Be sure & feed her 1 1/2 times the amount of food she should have at her ideal weight, and add some room temperature liquid to her food. Marinate 20 minutes before you feed her. And break up her food and enzymes into 3-4 meals per day.

Of course, since you have already mentioned the Four Cornerstones, you may already know this. After a bit, if she starts passing a lot of gas or acting sick, you will want to address SID, but for now let's not overwhelm you!

My vet punted & sent me to another vet, who knew a lot about the treatment, but I have certainly enhanced Tucker's recovery by asking questions from the staff members here. We are way ahead of where we'd be if not for this site. Two years & 20 pounds later, and Tucker is better than ever. It's nice to see what a positive attitude you have. EPI is completely manageable, and I'm with you---that is a very positive diagnosis!

Take Care and keep in touch!---Pam & Tucker

[Barb]

Welcome, Bryan and Coco! We are glad you found us. Sometimes spreading the word in conversation is the best way to get information about EPI. Many of us have had conversations with someone like you had with your friend. We are certainly glad you had that conversation because getting the correct diagnosis is, as you know, half the battle.

Porcine enzymes are the most effective treatment for EPI. The plant based enzymes are not usually strong enough to fully treat EPI. We used
Enzyme Diane's enzymes with Kolby, our German Shepherd, for almost 11 years. He passed last year from an unrelated aggressive form of cancer.
Diane is wonderful to work with and she has an excellent product.

If you can publish Coco's B12 levels, we can give you an idea of how to supplement. Most dogs have low B12 levels at diagnosis. But it is an easy fix.

You are doing a great job already. Coco is lucky to have you. Once you get everything balanced, EPI is very manageable.

Ask any questions you have.

Coco is adorable.

Barb

[Jean]

Good morning from Liverpool UK

will you look at Coco, how gorgeous

The news from Miami is awful, I hope all of your family and friends are safe

I agree with using Enzyme Diane, the plant enzymes will not replace the enzymes secreted by the pancreas

B12 is essential to digestion

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

and if there are tummy rumbles you need to deal with SID/SIBO

https://epi4dogs.com/sidsibo-in-brief/

These links are useful for you to keep, and read up on, and please share anything from this website with your vet

Can you advise what food you are feeding and how often, and how much

kepp a journal and record everything you do, its invaluable


Please ask anything, We lived with EPI for 9 years with a dog, and 8 years with a cat, and it becomes the norm


Jxx

[Madelon]

Hi and welcome to our EPI family! Thank you for rescuing Coco - what an adorable little pup. Since Coco has been definitely diagnosed with EPI the ProZyme will not work - as the others have suggested EnzymeDiane is your best bet as her enzymes are much less expensive than the prescription enzymes from the vet. I recommend starting with the Pancreatin 6x - and we recommend 1 level teaspoon per cup of kibble, mix in a little luke warm water and mix in kibble, sit for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Do you know Coco's B12 level? Are you supplementing the B12?