Puppy doesn't have EPI

[blueridgemtngrl]

I just got off the phone with my vet and Keira's test results came back normal. Her folate level is slightly low but the vet didn't think she needed a supplement.

As the test was very specific to EPI, I asked the vet if we should test her albumin, and she agreed so we're getting that tested tomorrow.

Does anyone here have any ideas on which way to go with this if her albumin is normal? She has classic symptoms of EPI but does't have it. The next trip may be to a specialist, but would love to hear

Thank you!

Jeanne

[Olesia711]

Hi Jeanne,

Well that is good news that it is not EPI, but bad news, that you still have to figure out what is going on.

Definitely check the Albumin.... but if that is normal... then my suggestion would be ask the vet if they would agree to you trying a Hydrolyzed food to maybe get an indication if this just might be IBD...

Technically the only way to really tell if the dog has IBD is via a scope, but that is invasive and if you can kind of figure it out without doing a scope, IMHO, that is what i would try next... and try Hydrolyzed foods. There are 4 different kinds of true hydrolyzed foods out there, and although each one is designed to achieve the same end result.... they also each work a little differently . So the rule of thumb is to start with the smallest bag possible and try one, if that one desn't work, move on to the next one.

Although there are no guarantees which one will work best..... what we have noticed that works best with our pups dealing with EPI + IBD is
1. "Ultamino" made by Royal Canine.

and the others are:
2. Royal Canine Hypoallergenic HP 19
3. Royal Canine Digestive LF Veterinary Diet
4. Hill’s® Prescription Diet ® z/d®

In the meantime.... talk to your vet, as i suspect a prebiotic, like slippery elm powder (not capsules) still would help, even without a positive diagnosis yet, but Slippery Elm is especially beneficial if this is IBD or IBS.... or even PLE .

Please keep us posted on what happens at the vet. GOOD LUCK!

[blueridgemtngrl]

Hi,

I just got back from the vet and her lab work was all normal, so we are going to try the hydrolyzed protein diet and see if that helps. They had the second one on your list in stock, so that's what we're going to try. Oh, and she gained 6 lbs with greatly increasing her food intake.

Thanks for all your input! I appreciate the information and wish everyone's dogs (and their people) good health!!

Jeanne

[Olesia711]

That is great news Jeanne!!! Please keep us posted on Keira's progress.... hopefully this brand of hydrolyzed will help her. If not. please don't give up and keep trying with the others............

[Madelon]

Hi Jeanne - glad to hear it's not EPI, but if you don't mind me asking - what was the TLI? The reason I ask is that my boy was tested at 3mos old due to symptoms but it was 16 - completely normal. He was fine for several months but then began showing symptoms of slight weight loss at 10mos old - he was tested again at 13mos old and it was definitive EPI. It takes time for the pancreas to atrophy. So, I say all of this to say - if at some point the symptoms reappear and look like EPI you might want to have the test run again.

Keep us posted on how the new food goes.

[Olesia711]

Good point Madelon... thanks for asking about the actual score and to keep an eye on things over time especially if nothing else shows up as a cause.......