Epi4Dogs

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

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

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may well be out of date I will find out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

I have confirmed with our founder and researcher, Olesia, and we still advise food fasting for cobalamin (b12) and folate, 8-12 hours

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

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?

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,

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

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

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.

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.