Hair loss in a dog with EPI

[awesome]

Hey Folks,
I am new to the EPI4DOGS forum. I rescued a 3-1/2 shetland sheepdog in April. Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with EPI. Started her on the enzymes and B-12 injections. The first enzyme we tried didn't work so my vet switched her to another one. It seems to be working because she gained almost 3 lbs. the first month she was on the new enzyme. But now she has suddenly started losing her fur. I took her back to the vet last Friday and her labs were normal. Has anyone had a dog with EPI and experienced sudden fur loss? Any words of wisdom for me? thanks,
Susan, mom of "Awesome" my sheltie.

[Miss Maddie Moo]

I could filled my dyson eveyday when Maddie was first DX they blow a new coat even when they shouldnt its all part of the repair process.
Are you folowing the EPI protcol that we recommend.
Porcine Enzymes 1 tsp to 1 cup of food.( if usa based)
We recommend grain free food below 4 % fibre do not restrict the fat.
B12 important you keeo this above 600 for life.
Antibotics if the poop goes south if the intial dose of enzymes dont improve the poop.
Also dont worry if they start to pong that normal as well

[jilbert57]

Just wanted to say welcome to the forum!

[C.U.pup]

OMG am i sooooooo glad to see this post as my pup too has had a lot of his coat come off him too and he is non Malting
So this may be be the norm for IEP dogs ???

[Barb]

Hello Susan,

A warm welcome to you and your "Awesome" pup!

Yes, many dogs "blow their coat" when they are first diagnosed. My German Shepherd, Kolby, strangely enough did not lose his coat. He did everything else!

Glad to hear Awesome is gaining weight and doing well. Hopefully, the enzymes you have now are porcine replacement enzymes. I am guessing that you may have been using plant enzymes before and they are not effective.

How are her poos?

Barb

[sonjawooden]

Hello,

I would love to hear more about what to expect in the newly diagnosed and newly treated EPI dog. My 3 y/o female German Shepherd is a long haired GSD. Prior to diagnoses, we noticed her tail went from looking like a fox tail, to looking like a rat's tail (yuck!). Her coat had thinned out and colored had dulled. Now after one month of treatment, she is getting a little new fur on her tail, and her fur is coming out in huge clumps when I brush her. Her coat still looks bad and seems matted and dull. I am hoping as she continues to get better she will get a new fluffy long haired coat again. Should I be patient or should I give her some type of salmon oil or something to help. If time will fix it, I'd rather not have to spend money on one more thing, as I just ordered Tylan to help her probable SID. And maybe the SID also causes their coat to be a mess too, I'm not sure. Thanks again. Sonja

[Olesia711]

Hi Sonja,

The body having gone so long without absorbing nutrients from food (EPI) is why the coat gets ratty looking..... once they start on the enzymes.... it takes time, but little by little... the old ratty looking coat starts coming out and a healty new coat starts filling in...........

[Madelon]

Oh I remember the shedding in the beginning - it was awful!! It should get better once the body gets the nutrients it needs and replaces the old malnourished coat with the new fur. However, if it continues to the point you are concerned, don't hesitate to see your vet.

[Olesia711]

Izzy has curly hair like a poodle.... and she looked pathetic..... kind of like a patient in the cancer ward where they lose hair from treatment..........it was so sad ....... but then OMG.... her hair when it grew back in was lush and thick with lots and lots of curls !

[Jessicamiller269]

So people experienced hair loss when that happens did your dogs also have dry
Flaky skin and itching ??