New Vet - Wants a gastrointestinal lab

[KBarie]

New to this site. - The information on your site saved my dog Kona's life. Thank you!
We have recently moved and our new vet wants to run a gastrointestinal lab test.

Diagnosis TLI test: Positive for EPI/7 years ago.
New recent symptoms seem like SID (SIBO) (gas, intermittent diarrhea, eating indigestible items)
Vet ran blood test panel which came back normal but did not include B12 test.

Question(s):
Would you recommend a gastrointestinal lab for $240? Can’t she just start on the antibiotics and see if it helps?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am reviewing all information on your site again as she has been doing well for the past many years.
Thank you!

[Olesia711]

this is just my personal opinion, but if you have the records of the original TLI test..... i would not re-test.
especially if your pup has been treated for EPI and done well for 7 years.

What you are describing sounds like typical SID (SIBO) that got out of control (since they now know all EPI dogs have SID to one degree or another) and if you have records to prove that your dog was diagnosed with EPI... a new vet should be expected to have a conversation with you what route to take to try to get suspected SID under control, either to try first with prebiotics or if really bad, start with antibiotics.

M dog was diagnosed with EPI when she was 1+1/2 yrs old.... she is now 14+ yrs old, we have moved 6 times since we have had her which equals 6 new vets over the years and not 1 asked to re-run the TLI test..... as it is accepted that once they have EPI, they have EPI.

I do not understand why this vet is asking for you to re-do the test.... as far as i know, to-date..... there is no reason to re-do the old-TLI tests that were performed if the dog was clinically evaluated with EPI ... and... if the dog has been successfully treated for EPI for multiple years ........................

However, .if your dog was "subclinical EPI" then that would be different................. as near as they can tell (for now) about 50% of SEPI (sub-clinical EPI) dogs go on to develop EPI while the other 50% don't.........so then (and only then IMHO) is it worth re-testing.....

Might want to ask the vet "why" he feels the need to re-test a confirmed EPI dog....................

[KBarie]

I think I mixed up my tests. It’s a gastrointestinal lab they want to run that is sent to Texas A&M. Is it worth doing the test ($240) or should I ask to begin treatment with antibiotics without the test?

[Jean]

WELCOME FROM THE UK

What is your name

ok

what do you mean you mixed them up

as my Girl got older she needed more enzymes, and constant antibiotics for SID/SIBO

can you tell us what enzymes you use and how much to say a cup of kibble

what breed is your dog, and why does the vet want another cTLI test

what were the original results from 7 yrs ago ?

[Patsy]

Hello, I endorse the suggestions and questions everyone has asked. You mentioned that you haven’t had B12 tested, which is a separate test. After seven years of epi , I would assume that it must be low by now. I didn’t actually get my dog tested because it was obvious she had symptoms, and after her first shot she showed an amazing physical and mental recovery. B12 supports everything, and can help defend against sibo/Sid. I kept her on the suggested routine for the rest of her life. I would ask for the injections and order some tablets. Marti still needed regular antibiotics whenever she started the rumbling tum and stinky farts.

[Barb]

Welcome. I agree with not testing again for EPI. I would definitely keep up the B12 supplements and probably do a round of antibiotics for SID/SIBO. Our Kolby did not really thrive until we got his B12 levels up. I, too, am puzzled by the suggestion for another cTLI test.

Barb

[Madelon]

Before I spend that much money, I would make sure you've been supplementing B12 all these years, and if so, I would try upping the enzymes a tad. Many EPI dogs need their enzymes adjusted up a little bit as they get older - not sure why but we've seen it A LOT over the years. So, in my opinion, I would try upping the enzymes first, then if no change after a week I would ask for the Tylan and if no change after two weeks, then start considering the test. ALSO, might want to call the dog food company and make sure they haven't changed the formula of the food - this happened to me - they have a grace period where they don't have to change the label on the bags even though they've changed the formula.