EPI and Evans Syndrome

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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lisanduk
Member
Posts: 2
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Evie
My name: Lisa

EPI and Evans Syndrome

Post by lisanduk » 10 Jul 2020, 00:21

Any help please!My rat terrier/ chihuahua mix is 7 years old. She was diagnosed with Evans Disease last May. She had 2 blood transfusions, high dose of steroids, Tylosin and Cyclosporine. In January she was diagnosed with EPI after many weeks of cow pat stools, a yellow discharge and weight loss. I have her on powdered enzymes which I have to give via capsules. Her stools are good mostly, unless she grabs the other dogs' food!! She is fed 5 times a day, has coconut oil and is happy in herself ( she's on Wonder Labs B12)but her weight is not going up at all. Could it be the lingering effects of the steroids? She stopped steroids about 4 months ago. The only med she is on is the cyclosporine. The vet is at a loss and is happy I joined this forum :D

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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: EPI and Evans Syndrome

Post by Jean » 10 Jul 2020, 03:57

Good morning from the uk

Well I know little of Evans syndrome other than it destroys the red blood cells, and thats only because I have a friend who's Father had it, and thats it

Can I ask what food you are giving , you say it is 5 times per day you feed, was there a lot of weight loss before EPI was diagnosed ? , if so, we recommend feeding 50% over, and above what the recommended amount on the food bag for the weight she SHOULd be , is she still on Tylosin ?

I cant help further with Evans Syndrome but our founder is a fount of knowledge

so, keep a journal and record everything, and I am pleased that your vet is happy you are with us
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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Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3857
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: EPI and Evans Syndrome

Post by Olesia711 » 10 Jul 2020, 11:20

Hi, This is Olesia and my dog had EPI and then developed IMHA +Diabetes. Oddly enough, my gal was diagnosed with the IMHA condition when she turned 7 years old too!!! Anyway, Evans Syndrome is an offshoot of IMHA. I am so sorry that your dog even has this. I know it was a very scary time for us and we thought we were going to lose Izzy. My vet said he had never dealt with an EPI + IMHA dog so we did a lot of trail and error and research. My gal beat IMHA and lived to be 15 years old.
Surprisingly We have had quite a few EPI dogs develop "idiopathic" IMHA and yet, supposedly, there is no research to support any connection between the two.....

I now suspect, but this is just a guess, is that once the immune system is compromised with an immune condition like IMHA/Evans Syndrome, or EPI... that the body become susceptible to other "immune" conditions. Or maybe there is a connection but research has not yet discovered it ... who knows.... :(

Regarding the lack of weight gain, it could be related to the EPI part, not the Evans Syndrome part.
It sounds like you are doing everything right, especially with the 5 meals a day and coconut oil (coconut oil usually really helps!) .... and that is WONDERFUL that she is happy. I swear attitude is half the battle with these immune conditions. But what i am wondering is that Jean may have hit the nail on the head..... with these EPI dogs, they need to be feed 150% of what their body supposedly requires according to the packaging recommended feeding doses based on weight. Since she is a tiny little thing, can you try feeding more protein? (Meat/fish) to the meals... and see if that helps?

My EPI gal, who weighed 35lbs ate more than twice what my 65lb dog ate (same breed dogs).... and she was not chunky in the least bit, this was just enough to maintain a good weight on her....

Just using this as an example. Hopefully this is helpful to you and your vet.
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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Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3857
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: EPI and Evans Syndrome

Post by Olesia711 » 10 Jul 2020, 11:26

oh.... and if feeding more, although feeding in smaller portions like you are doing, doesn't appear to put on any weight, then the next thing i would look at is to try changing foods ... something with a higher calorie content.

I personally had good success with SPORT elite dog food which is almost 500 calories per cup (490k)
https://www.sportdogfood.com/products/sporting-dog
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.........

lisanduk
Member
Posts: 2
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Evie
My name: Lisa

Re: EPI and Evans Syndrome

Post by lisanduk » 10 Jul 2020, 12:49

Thank you everyone. Evie is a fussy eater so I give her mostly home cooked chicken, ground lamb - about a cup at each meal. She has 6 enzymes capsules each meal..she is so tolerant! I tried to increase the enzymes per vet instructions but that led to diarrhoea. She hovers around 9lbs but you can see every bone in her body. The vet reckons that the Evans wiped out her pancreas but I think the EPI came first as she was eating her own faeces long before the Evans diagnosis. Perhaps I need to increase to 6/7 meals a day but she never asks for more food in between the 5 she does have!

Barb
Staff
Posts: 918
Country: United States
State: New Jersey

Re: EPI and Evans Syndrome

Post by Barb » 10 Jul 2020, 13:36

Hi Lisa,

Everyday, we learn something new. I had never heard of Evans syndrome, but I am glad Olesia and Jean were able to give you information and a direction. It sounds like you are doing a great job with both of these conditions and like Olesia said if the extra meals don't do the trick, then perhaps switching to a high calorie food might help. I also endorse the log/journal as a great tool to give you information and let you know what is working and what needs to be adjusted. It also helped us to keep our sanity....somewhat LOL.

Please let us know how Evie is doing.

Barb

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