New member: Daisy's story

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.
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Jean
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Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by Jean » 03 Jan 2020, 03:37

The one thing to remember is the 8-12 hour food fasting prior to test, it was 12 hours but it has been revised, personally, I would go for 12 to be on the safe side, as to the yellow poops, can you remind me, are you giving Tylan
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

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jilbert57
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Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by jilbert57 » 03 Jan 2020, 08:57

Hi Faye,
As Jean said it is very important as Jean wrote that an animal is fasted before the Tli test. After going back to your first post I see the Tli was done with a result of 1.
Here is information on serum B12 and folate from Texas A & M :
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/service/assays/b12folate/
I don't see where it says to fast for those 2 things.
Let us know how the vet visit goes.

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.

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Jean
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Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by Jean » 03 Jan 2020, 09:30

this is on our website

If possible, ask for a Cobalamin (B12) blood test to be done at the same time as a TLI blood test is done to save money. A dog must be fasted for 12-15 hours. Texas A&M Gastro Lab is the premier laboratory to test B12 levels.

may well be out of date I will find out

however, my vets insisted on the fasting for b12

persoanlly i feel fasting should be done just to be on the safe side
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

User avatar
Jean
Forum Director
Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by Jean » 03 Jan 2020, 09:59

I have confirmed with our founder and researcher, Olesia, and we still advise food fasting for cobalamin (b12) and folate, 8-12 hours
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

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jilbert57
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Posts: 2092
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by jilbert57 » 03 Jan 2020, 10:28

Thanks Jean! I didn't see it on the TAMU link!☺️
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.

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faye grimm
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Posts: 35
Location: Rogue Valley Oregon
Country: United States
State: Oregon
Pet name: Daisy
My name: faye

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by faye grimm » 03 Jan 2020, 10:56

Ok, so she should fast even if I am getting this at the same time as the SID test?
I am bringing her in at 10:30 AM on the 6th so she should be alright. I might give her a meal around 9 or 10 pm the night before.

Just to be clear, I am asking for an SID and Serum Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) and Folate test, correct?

I have another question .. I always use glass/ceramic dishes for my animals' food but still I am simply curious if one were to use a stainless steel bowl, does this react with the enzymes?
Daisy and I live in rural southern Oregon. In June of 2013 I saw someone selling 5 week old puppies from a van and I swear I was "only looking" when Daisy's head popped up from the back of the box and she jumped across her liter mates straight to me, got up on her hind legs and started licking my face.
She had just chosen me. The guy wanted $100 a pup. I told him I only had $50. He said no way.
I replied, "This is my dog now. Take it or leave it. But she is coming home with me."
So I gave the man his $50 and we have been joined at the hip every since ...

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Jean
Forum Director
Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by Jean » 03 Jan 2020, 11:55

definitely fast for the tests you are ,water can be given

you are asking for the folate and serum cobalamin blood test

I always used metal bowls for Kara as she used to pick her bowls up, and throw them around, :roll:

it never reacted to the enzymes we used

glass plates are brilliant as they dont hold any smell

the one to avoid is plastic, it can hold smells

good luck
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1345
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 04 Jan 2020, 08:33

Hi, Faye! I sent you the tracking number yesterday.---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.

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Madelon
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Posts: 1317
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Pet name: Doc

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by Madelon » 04 Jan 2020, 09:20

Hi Faye - sorry I have been offline for a few days. I've had Doc's B12 tested twice after diagnosis and did not have him fasted nor did I stop supplementing the B12 prior to the test - both of which they suggest you do. The reason for the suggestion is to see how your dog maintains the B12 on their own, however, in my PERSONAL (remember I am not a vet nor expert on anything) I want to know what his B12 is when he is being supplemented otherwise how would I know if the B12 amount I'm giving is working and since he's going to be supplemented for life it just made sense to me. HOWEVER, please follow the suggestions/guidelines from Texas A&M. Also, just to let you know so you have a clear understanding of the tests, there is no test for SID - however, low B12 and high folate can be an indication of SID. SID is actually diagnosed based on symptoms and typically at the same time the dog has been tested for B12 and folate while presenting with SID symptoms. Also, if the folate comes back low it can be an indication of food sensitivities or IBD. So please post your results here when you get them.

As for the stainless steel bowl - I mix and incubate Doc's food in a stainless steel bowl but then I put it on a flat slow feeder to actually feed him. I've not heard of any reactions between stainless steel bowls and enzymes.
Madelon, owned by DOC. DOC dx EPI 5/2015 = TLI < .4, B12 406; Folate >24. DOC taught me so much and together we battled and overcame EPI, food sensitivies, environmental allergies but we lost the cancer battle. DOC was dx with hemangiosarcoma 5/2022 and crossed the rainbow bridge July 24, 2022. He is and always will be the love of my life, my soulmate, my heart dog.

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faye grimm
Member
Posts: 35
Location: Rogue Valley Oregon
Country: United States
State: Oregon
Pet name: Daisy
My name: faye

Re: New member: Daisy's story

Post by faye grimm » 04 Jan 2020, 13:36

That makes sense Madelon.
So after the initial test I will consider your suggestion.
As all of you have been telling me, it all depends on how each dog is responding also.

I found my connection for organic ground turkey pet food is still available so I am sticking with that.
But her poop is still soft. I may try her back on beef for a few days to see if that was the key to her (one time that I saw) firmer poop.

Since it is ground whole turkey I do notice a few very small bone chips here and there so I am incubating for 45 minutes, 15 minutes prior to adding the kibble.
What do you think of this?

FYI: After my month long vigil trying to get a diagnosis and finally after digging in with some deep online research that I even became aware of EPI as a probability and EPI4Dogs so I have been spreading "the news" always referencing this forum so others can consider EPI as a possibility sooner rather than later when their dog might be losing weight.

Also, the herbalist who runs the natural pet supply store I mentioned when I first joined was extremely enthusiastic about the site and will likely be joining to educate herself properly [as opposed to common perceptions and incorrect assumptions of how to deal with EPI in dogs] since many people come to her for products and advice.

Have a great Saturday.
Daisy and I live in rural southern Oregon. In June of 2013 I saw someone selling 5 week old puppies from a van and I swear I was "only looking" when Daisy's head popped up from the back of the box and she jumped across her liter mates straight to me, got up on her hind legs and started licking my face.
She had just chosen me. The guy wanted $100 a pup. I told him I only had $50. He said no way.
I replied, "This is my dog now. Take it or leave it. But she is coming home with me."
So I gave the man his $50 and we have been joined at the hip every since ...

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