Looking for other EPI GSD's in New Mexico

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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ndimitru
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Posts: 5
Country: United States
Pet name: Hugin

Looking for other EPI GSD's in New Mexico

Post by ndimitru » 11 Sep 2021, 20:15

HI, Brand new member, 2 year old GSD with EPI, looking for other owners in New Mexico. We're in the Northern part of the state.

Sandy

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

Re: Looking for other EPI GSD's in New Mexico

Post by Jean » 12 Sep 2021, 09:49

welcome can you tell us Your story
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

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ndimitru
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Posts: 5
Country: United States
Pet name: Hugin

Re: Looking for other EPI GSD's in New Mexico

Post by ndimitru » 12 Apr 2022, 12:12

HI! We have two GSD's bought from a breeder. At about a year old, one dog started losing weight, and having the classis very loose smelly, yellow stools. Diagnosed with EPI, and we have him stabilized. Our local vet, while good, has only seen one EPI dog.

They gave us recommended dosing with the brand name Pancreplus, and he was just maintaining, and not gaining weight. This went on for months. He was eating 3 cups of food with 1 teaspoon enzyme, twice a day, 1800 calories, and still not gaining any weight. We were mixing dry food with warm water, mixing in the enzyme, and letting it set for 15 min before feeding. He was at 62 pounds, and if he gained a half a pound a week we were very happy. It was a bad time. We also gave him B12 shots once a week.

We took him to a specialist in Albuquerque who said that this was underdosing, she changed his feeding regime to 2 cups, three times a day, still 1 teaspoon per feeding, and letting it sit 30 min, She also suggested Enzyme Diane for more reasonable priced enzymes. Two weeks later, he was up two pounds, YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast forward to now, he is getting a bit CHUNKY ( :D !!!) and we are reducing his food to 5 cups a day, which is just a bit above feeding directions for the food (bag says 4.25 cups / day for 80 pound adult dog.) He is also on premium store food, rather than a prescription food. ($38 v $100)

I also switched to giving him an oral B12 pill twice a week, instead of shots, since there is evidence that this works as well and is much less of an issue both with getting the supplies as well as giving him the cobalamin.

Information about the studies using oral supplementation:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33593499/
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/ ... formation/

One last thought, making these changes, (regular food vs prescription, Enzyme Diane enzymes vs Pancreplus, and oral cabalamin v shots,) has reduced the cost to about one third of what it was costing before. And he looks great, energetic, and is alert!

I am still interested in connecting with any other owners of GSDs with EPI in New Mexico, Drop me a line!

Sandy

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ndimitru
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Posts: 5
Country: United States
Pet name: Hugin

Re: Looking for other EPI GSD's in New Mexico

Post by ndimitru » 23 Oct 2023, 23:12

four years old and still holding fine at 80 lbs! so glad to have found this forum and all the great advice!!

sandy

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