New EPI Diagnosis - Feeling Overwhelmed...

[Sadie'sMom]

Hi Jean:

Yes, did get Sadie's e card. I sent you a thank you note --- I hope you received it!

We took Sadie to the vet yesterday and did a lab draw for B12 and Folate levels. If everything comes back normal, which I think it will (fingers crossed), then we don't plan on doing any more testing unless something changes.

I appreciate your help and advice.

Lisa

[Jean]

its what we are here for

Jean

[Sadie'sMom]

And I am beyond thankful for you all!

Lisa

[Jean]

and as I was 10 years ago, with a 39 pound 14 month old GSD, when I found EPI4DOGS

there was at that time about 4 people in UK

I had a cat in the 80's with EPI and you never forget the smell, I was at my wits end

we were referred to Liverpool Small Animal Hospital under the care of the most remarkable man Alex German who is now a professor, she started to recover, but the vets wouldnt give any hope, she was so thin, my own vet who has treated EPI since the 80's said I wasnt going to lose her on his watch

I met Val by phone over here, and I had support, which is why I reach out to anyone by phone over here, and then made other friends who are now among my closest friends, one I have spent holidays with

anyway we changed enzymes and the rest is history, she remained stable until we lost her in May, and EPI4DOGS did the most wonderful tribute to her on the calendars, I am very humbled by it

so take care and keep the faith

have you ordered a calendar ?


Jean

[Sadie'sMom]

Good Morning Jean:

Thank you for your post. (I didn't get my usual e-mail notification that you had posted something - so glad I just happened to want to read some things on here and saw your post to me).

Wow, what an incredible story you shared. And isn't it amazing that you made friends with people because of your pup's EPI? The same thing has happened for me too. Jill took me under her wing from day one (I call her my EPI sponsor). She has answered all of my questions (and I have asked A LOT), given great advice, been a shoulder to lean on, and no matter what she has going on in her personal life, if I e-mail her a question about Sadie --- she always responds immediately. I am also thankful for the other staff members at EPI because they have been VERY helpful as well.

People in the UK are very lucky to have you so available and willing to help them. I am sure your support means the world to them. Kudos to you for helping others.

We made some changes, based on what we found out on this forum, and Sadie is doing incredibly well. If we wouldn't have been told about those few "simple" things (4% fiber food, incubate for 20 minutes, etc.) --- well.....who knows where we would be with Sadie right now. I shudder to think we could have lost her as she was going downhill fast. To see her now --- bouncing off the walls with energy, having great poops, and get being her crazy, funny, full of life and energy pup again --- it means the world to us.

I am so sorry that you lost your beloved pup in May....it is never easy to lose a pet who you love so much. She was a gorgeous dog. I will definitely have to take a look at the calendar.

Have a great weekend, Jean, and thank you for your kind note --- it really means a lot to me to hear from my EPI family.

Lisa

[Barb]

So glad to hear that Sadie is doing well and you are in the "maintenance" stage. It is great when you get to that point. Keep us posted of any changes.

Barb

[Sadie'sMom]

Hi Barb:

Thank you for you message. It is always nice to hear from my EPI family. You are 100% right --- being in the maintenance stage with Sadie now is such a rewarding place to be. She has gained 5.6 pounds back and has boundless energy. We had to B12 and folate levels checked last Wednesday - so we should have her results by today. I'm sitting here with crossed fingers.

Have a great rest of your day.

Lisa

[Jean]

now just have fun

jeanx

[Barb]

Such good news, Lisa! We join you in the Happy Weight Gain Dance. Pretty soon you will have to enroll her in the Chunky Monkey club:-)))


Barb

[Sadie'sMom]

Hi Jean & Barb:

Thank you for your kind words. We are so happy to have her back to normal again.

BTW - not sure if I need to report this or not to Derek - but I only received a notice for Barb's message being sent. I didn't get an e-mail to check my account when Jean posted her message. This is the second time this has happened. I just don't want to miss anyone's messages. Just thought I should mention it.

Take care.

Lisa