15 mo old Corgi w EPT

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.
MnMIkko
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Country: United States
State: Minnesota
Pet name: Mikko

15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by MnMIkko » 13 Mar 2020, 09:40

At 12 months our Corgi, Mikko had reached 23 lbs and then suddenly started losing weight as we switched his food slowly from a puppy mix. I moved him back to puppy food but the loose stools continued and he settled in at around 20 pounds. Took him to the vet because he developed a sudden frequent urination issue and was drinking a ton of water. Started eating poop.... you know the deal. He was starving. Finally got him to a specialist cuz the local vet was clueless. The did all the tests, ultrasounds etc. Everything normal except he tested borderline for EPT. He had responded well initially to a antibiotic for a UTI. His stools firmed up a bit but the volume continued to be significant. He was getting very little real digestion of his food. The specialist and I agreed that if he wasn’t improving after 4-6 weeks, we’d treat with enzymes. I found this site (thanks to this group) and discovered the resources for non-prescription enzyme and have that arriving today. I purchased some emergency product locally and started him on it about 3 days ago. I’ve seen significant improvement after 2 days with a food switch to low fiber, grain free with a primary fiber of sweet potato. I put him on the Taste of the Wild Grain Free Wetlands and he chows it down after incubating the enzyme for 15-20 minutes. No issue. His stools are miraculously back to normal and he’s already putting weight back on. Wish us luck and I hope we stay on this trajectory. I think the whole malnutrition thing has contributed to a crash of his immune system. The UTI, some excessive, goopy tearing and hair loss around his eyes... Poor guy. His mood is good now and energy levels are solid. He has a litter mate with us as well and he’s if fine. I’ll post again as time progresses. Hopefully this post helps others who may be dealing with this issue.

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Olesia711
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Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by Olesia711 » 13 Mar 2020, 15:01

WOW!!!!! Now that was a GREAT post!!!!!

So glad to hear that Mikko, under your guidance managing the EPI, has done a completely turnaround and is doing great!

Isn't it amazing, how once you find the right balance of everything suggested as the EPI protocol.... how tings all fall into place and they start thriving.

Great report ... keep them coming!
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

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jilbert57
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Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by jilbert57 » 13 Mar 2020, 15:10

Hi and welcome. Do you have the result from the Tli? Do you know if B12 and folate were tested at the same time?

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.

MnMIkko
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Posts: 12
Country: United States
State: Minnesota
Pet name: Mikko

Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by MnMIkko » 13 Mar 2020, 17:13

Tli was 3.1 mcg/l
folate 20.8 mcg/l
B12 784 ng/l

Mikko has gained 2.5lbs in 5 days! Received my enzymediane order today. It has a higher concentration of lipase than the emergency stuff I bought. I’ve been dosing about 3/4 tsp based on the protese and amalyse. I’ll try that knowing I’ll be increasing the lipase and watch for a few days.

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jilbert57
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Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by jilbert57 » 13 Mar 2020, 17:18

Thanks for posting. Yes if you are using the 6x from Diane it would be 1 teaspoon enzyme per 1 cup kibble.

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.

Barb
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Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by Barb » 13 Mar 2020, 20:22

Hello and welcome! Congratulations on Mikko's amazing turn-around. Not only did you find the right food and enzymes, you also managed to put a significant amount of weight on your pup. Glad you found enzyme Diane's enzymes. She is the best! And she will save you so much money.

It's interesting that the EPI symptoms coincided with your switch from puppy food to regular food. The same thing happened to our Kolby. I was convinced at first that it was the switch from puppy food that was causing all his problems......of course, it was EPI, but it's interesting how you can get thrown off because of a coincidence.

One thing that was very helpful for us at the beginning was keeping a log/journal of everything we fed Kolby, the amounts and the resulting poos. This helped us to see what was working and what needed to be changed. You can download a blank log form from our website or just use a notebook.

Keep the good news coming! Mikko is lucky to have you.

Barb

MnMIkko
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Posts: 12
Country: United States
State: Minnesota
Pet name: Mikko

Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by MnMIkko » 13 Mar 2020, 21:24

This all coincided with his food switch. It would be so easy to blame it on the new food but his brother did just fine. Unfortunately Mikko just has some medical problems. The problem he has with tearing and hair loss around is eyes is flaring up again. He also has some frequent unirnation issues that come and go. It happened when we switched food last time and now with this new food as well. His kidney numbers aren’t great. I consider the pancreatic issue the one to focus on right now because he was simply not getting the nourishment he needed. I’ll give it a week or 2 and see if his immune system starts to get stronger. Maybe he’ll rebound on a few of these other issues. His energy level is great.

Obviously, we’re disappointed with all the issues and cost but hopeful we can get it under control. The enzyme supplement should give him a good, long life. Putting weight back on is so critical. I’m hoping we’ve got that problem licked. I’m very relieved he’s not a picky eater and that he didn’t turn his nose up at the food with the enzymes in it. In fact, he eats it with enthusiasm (but I guess Corgis are always hungry and tend to overeat anyway).

Super early in this process. Great early results and I hope they stick.

MnMIkko
Member
Posts: 12
Country: United States
State: Minnesota
Pet name: Mikko

Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by MnMIkko » 15 Mar 2020, 10:01

Received the Enzymediane and made the switch no problem. Things are looking good at the moment. His energy level and personality are running full bore!

We’ll give this a few weeks and hope for an immune system boost. So far, so good.

Barb
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Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by Barb » 15 Mar 2020, 16:44

Fingers crossed!

Barb

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Jean
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Re: 15 mo old Corgi w EPT

Post by Jean » 17 Mar 2020, 11:51

Hi

Just to welcome you from UK

It's so difficult at the beginning , my Kara was 14 months old, and we have had weeks old puppies

You will get there, so try to relax a bit

Keep a diary on everything you do
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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