New Diagnosis and Treament Not Working

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.
ssmith
Member
Posts: 30
Country: United States
State: South Carolina
Pet name: Harmony

Re: New Diagnosis and Treament Not Working

Post by ssmith » 14 Jan 2022, 15:09

I just have a quick question. I don't want to ruin any of the amazing progress I have seen with Harmony, but I hate only giving her sister treats even if Harmony has no idea. I finally found a store in town that sells her TOTWPS dog food, and it also had extensive treat options. I settled on Natures Balance vension and sweet potatoe dog biscuits. They have a max 3% fiber and no chicken or grain. Is that ok to give her with an enyzmed meal?

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jilbert57
Staff
Posts: 2092
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: New Diagnosis and Treament Not Working

Post by jilbert57 » 14 Jan 2022, 15:29

Yes, If you can give the treat right after having the enzymed meal that should be good. You will know by the poop if it is not working! The poop will go south.

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.

ssmith
Member
Posts: 30
Country: United States
State: South Carolina
Pet name: Harmony

Re: New Diagnosis and Treament Not Working

Post by ssmith » 31 Jan 2022, 16:06

I just wanted to give an update on Harmony. I took her to the vet today for a "check-up" (it was more to just say what I changed that he didn't know about). He was super impressed with all the knowledge I had and what I had done (thank you guys for that!), and said she no longer needs to come back for her EPI unless something happens. He explained a lot of signs when she was a puppy that were pointing to EPI that our previous vet brushed off, and he is more knowlegable than I think most vets are on EPI. He knew about slippery elm, a tsp of enzymes per cup of food, and the B12. Harmony weighed in at 54.5 pounds today which is more than she has ever weighed. She is now a perfectly healthy EPI dog with completely normal stool!

One thing I do want to try and tackle though. She has always been a poop eater which stems from her starving to death until recently. I know for a fact she is no longer starving and is still getting 150 percent of the amount of food a dog her normal weight should get. It is just a habit at this point....a terrible one at that. Any tips on how to get her to stop? She is an outside dog so just "picking it up" isn't gonna work as I'm not watching her 24/7.

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1346
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: New Diagnosis and Treament Not Working

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 31 Jan 2022, 18:15

Sorry, but I'm starting to think once a poop eater, maybe always a poop eater. Tucker stopped for a couple of years, and now he's back at it again.

I absolutely hate it, and when I catch him he knows I am displeased. One suggestion I have heard is to feed them pineapple with their meal, supposedly it tastes bitter on the other end. Another is accent meat tenderizer, but you should only do that for a short time because it contains MSG, which is an excitotoxin that can affect the nervous system. Neither of these techniques worked for me.

Early on, when his poo was still runny, I ran around the yard sprinkling cayenne pepper on his piles as soon as he made them, thinking if he kept eating spicy hot poo he'd throw in the towel. Made sense at the time, but I'm glad there is no video of me peppering the poop. I'm not sure any of this will help you, but please know that I feel your pain. --- 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.

ssmith
Member
Posts: 30
Country: United States
State: South Carolina
Pet name: Harmony

Re: New Diagnosis and Treament Not Working

Post by ssmith » 01 Feb 2022, 16:44

Ahhh, that's kinda what I was afraid of. I mean what would taste worse than poop?? I'll try the pineapple and see what happens. Her sister picked up the habit as well, so they are a lovey bunch with their poop breath. The pepper trick is honestly genuis. Sounds like something I would do if they weren't outside all the time! The vet said there is a product called forbid that you put in there food but he said it doesn't always work. So I guess we will just experiment and see if I can find something because it is absolutely disgusting! Thank you for the recommendations!

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