Vet appointment

[Angboys3]

Our standard poodle Bella had her vet appointment this morning. They did a full GI panel including EPI and B12 test. We will get the results in 2-3 days. I will try to figure out how to post her in house blood work. The vet said everything was normal but ALT which was high. She doesn’t think diabetes. She agrees some kind of malabsorption probably EPI.

They will get more enzymes tomorrow so we can start her on them. I also ordered the sample from Diane so we can get going on which ever works better because her symptoms have gotten worse over the weekend.

Thank you for the help! I was able bring my girl in fasting with a fresh stool sample. So I think that helped speed up the process.

[Madelon]

Thanks for the update. So glad you got the test done - waiting is the hardest part. While we never want EPI, compared to lots of other dog diseases/conditions, it's one of the easier ones. You said her symptoms got worse over the weekend - is she currently getting enzymes? If so, how much and how are you preparing?

I know your overwhelmed and stressed beyond belief right now, but when you get a chance if you could include a signature with your profile with current symptoms, food, enzymes, etc. it will help us be able to offer suggestions better and hopefully not have to keep asking you the same questions over and over

Please keep us posted and remember you're not in this alone - we are all here to help you!

[Angboys3]

No enzymes yet. Vet was out till tonight. I ordered from Diane as well but we won’t know for sure if she has EPI for a few days. But going to start enzymes anyway as soon as we get because it seems so likely.

As far as symptoms, she is just losing more weight. Pooping a lot despite eating several times a day. TOW pacific. Down another 1lb and a half in the last 10 days for a total of like 6 lbs probably more like 9 lbs though.

Fingers crossed we can get her diet figured before she loses anymore weight.

[Riley's Mom]

So sorry your pup is struggling so. I'm so glad your vet tested for EPI, hoping you get the results soon.
It's fine to start enzymes for the short term before your blood work comes back, it won't hurt anything if she doesn't end up having EPI, but you wouldn't want to treat long term without a diagnosis.
As far as the diet goes, are you just referring to getting enzymes on board? Or are you wanting to change her food?
TOW is a viable option for EPI dogs, my girl eats that now. So if you are wanting to change foods, I would leave it for now until enzymes are on board and see if it will agree with her. If you need to change foods, you can address that once you have her on the new routine.
Once you get the enzymes going-to help her regain weight, feed 150% of what the recommendation on the bag is for her goal weight, not her current weight. This will help her catch back up on the weight she has lost. Once she regains, you can gradually reduce until she is again eating the normal amount of food based on her weight.
Please keep us posted when you get your results.

[Barb]

I am sorry you are going through this with Bella, but glad you have done the testing. This will give you a definite answer about EPI. This is the hardest time, when you are watching your pup lose weight and feel like you are not helping her. As Lis said, you can start the enzymes before you get the tests back.....they won't hurt her and it will only be for a short time if she doesn't have EPI. If she does, you will be getting a head start.

Let us know what kind of enzymes your vet gives you so we can help you with the dose. Usually, we recommend 1 teaspoon of powder per cup of kibble, I add a small amount of warm water (not hot) to the enzymes, stir or shake to dissolve and then pour the enzyme water mixture over the kibble and mix thoroughly. Let soak for 20 to 30 minutes, then feed. There may be different directions on the ones you get, so let us know what they are, so we can help.

I know this is a very tough time for you. We have all been where you are and remember what it feels like. If Bella has EPI, we will help you manage it, so try not to feel too overwhelmed.

Barb

[Olesia711]

Sorry your pup might have EPI. You have been given some good tips already, so i won't repeat, but i did want to mention that if this is EPI, it is very typical that the ALT will be elevated.... that usually happens because SID (small intestinal dysbiosis) is in play.... and it just indicates that there is an infection going on.. which is what happens with SID and especially with many gastrointestinal conditions.

No big worries, if this is EPI, then the elevated ALT is from SID and it will go down once you get the SID under better management. either with prebiotics and if that doesn't work, then a course of Tylan antibiotic is the 1st antibiotic of choice nowadays to treat this

Please keep us posted on ow things go and what the test results are.

[jilbert57]

Let us know the results of the bloodwork when you get them. If you go to the homepage and through the 3 tabs upper right click to bring up all the tabs, go to Enzymes. If you read through there is a section on "enzymes in a pinch" that you can get at the health food store. I think one is Now foods porcine enzymes . They aren't as strong but they will help until Diane's come in.

[Angboys3]

Thank you! Good to know. We were able to get 14 tablets of Pancreplus as a trial from the vet as the EPI is such a likely diagnosis. She doesn’t want to give us more yet till the blood results come in but at least it will tide us over till Friday when the other comes in.

I am going out of town on Friday! Not the best time but at least my college age kids are going to take care of her at home while I am gone, I have a fear of going out of town as I had a dog that had a major health issue when we left for a few days. We couldn’t save him but then he was in a kennel.

[Kodis Mom]

Hi...Leave your kids instructions for the dog....we all have done it many times. We can help them if they have questions... please post the results when you get them!