Hi there!
First of all, thank you for everyone's help over the past few months. In many ways, Scottie (1.5 years old, GSD mix, diagnosed about 4 months ago) is doing much better. But one thing is worrying me -- At our 6 week check up, her TLI was still pretty low. We upped the dose to 2 tsp of Pancreatin per meal, and then went back 6 weeks later for another blood test and check up.
We just got a call from the vet, and the TLI is still low. He said he talked to the pathologist in the lab, who said that some dogs consistently test low for TLI, but if their other symptoms are better (weight gain- Scottie has gained 10 points, and hard stools - Scottie hasn't had loose stool since we started her on Pancreatin), then it's fine and we don't need to continue to test her TLI.
My question is-- does a low TLI mean a lessened life span, or any other health issues down the line? I'm worried he didn't go into very deeply. I'm glad she's doing so well outside of that, but the numbers still worry me.
Thank you!!
Low TLI- worried
Re: Low TLI- worried
Hi Maia,
Once your dog has been diagnosed with Epi using the Tli test the Tli number will not increase. There is no need to retest.
The dose for your enzymes depends on how much food you feed. 1 level teaspoon enzyme per 1 cup kibble.
Dogs with Epi live a long life and usually pass from other conditions.
Jill
Once your dog has been diagnosed with Epi using the Tli test the Tli number will not increase. There is no need to retest.
The dose for your enzymes depends on how much food you feed. 1 level teaspoon enzyme per 1 cup kibble.
Dogs with Epi live a long life and usually pass from other conditions.
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.
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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- Member
- Posts: 48
- Location: Los Angeles
- Country: United States
- State: California
- Pet name: Scottie
- My name: Maia
Re: Low TLI- worried
Oh wow. Thank you! I think my vet just didn’t know that and got her tested again... oh well. So glad that’s not bad news for her health.
- Jean
- Forum Director
- Posts: 1707
- Location: South Liverpool
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
- My name: Jean
Re: Low TLI- worried
I can concur that the cTLI result will only go down , if at all
I am a bit bewildered that the lab pathologist said what he /she said
An EPI dog will ALWAYS test low once diagnosed
this is the explanation of cTLI
https://epi4dogs.com/tli-universal-testing/
Please feel free to copy anything from the website for EPI4DOGS and share with your vet , maybe he/she doesnt understand EPI , some never see it in their medical career
My Kara was <1 at diagnosis we never got her retested, we lost her at 10 from a non related condition
the result is a result, it does NOT indicate a lesser life span, obviously dogs get health issues along the way but thats "normal" the big thing is the coat shed, its usually massive
So please, stop worrying
I am wondering where you get enzymes from
do you give any b12 supplementation
good news on the weight gain, shows things are improving
keep your diary
so keep the faith and take care
Jeanx
I am a bit bewildered that the lab pathologist said what he /she said
An EPI dog will ALWAYS test low once diagnosed
this is the explanation of cTLI
https://epi4dogs.com/tli-universal-testing/
Please feel free to copy anything from the website for EPI4DOGS and share with your vet , maybe he/she doesnt understand EPI , some never see it in their medical career
My Kara was <1 at diagnosis we never got her retested, we lost her at 10 from a non related condition
the result is a result, it does NOT indicate a lesser life span, obviously dogs get health issues along the way but thats "normal" the big thing is the coat shed, its usually massive
So please, stop worrying
I am wondering where you get enzymes from
do you give any b12 supplementation
good news on the weight gain, shows things are improving
keep your diary
so keep the faith and take care
Jeanx
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
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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- Member
- Posts: 48
- Location: Los Angeles
- Country: United States
- State: California
- Pet name: Scottie
- My name: Maia
Re: Low TLI- worried
Thank you so much Jean and Jill! Yes I wonder if he was covering his tracks by saying the lab pathologist said that some dogs don't have to be retested, so we wouldn't be upset that we got extra tests. Who knows- but I'm just glad this means she's on track and healthy!!
We get Pancreatin 6X from Enzyme Diane, and for now we're giving her PetTinic for the B12. Once it's safe for us to go inside the vet and learn how to administer B12 shots, we will move to the shots. But the tests that reflect her B12 levels are getting better! So that's great.
Maia
We get Pancreatin 6X from Enzyme Diane, and for now we're giving her PetTinic for the B12. Once it's safe for us to go inside the vet and learn how to administer B12 shots, we will move to the shots. But the tests that reflect her B12 levels are getting better! So that's great.
Maia
Re: Low TLI- worried
Yes, no need for you to worry........the cTLI test is definitive. Once you have your pup tested, you do not need any more TLI tests. Her pancreas cannot do what it is supposed to because of the EPI, so you replace her non-functioning pancreas with enzymes ..... Our Kolby's TLI was less than 1 and he lived to be 11 years old until an aggressive form of cancer, unrelated to EPI, took him.
So glad Scottie is improving. Ask any questions you have.
Does the B12 supplement you are giving have Intrinsic Factor? This is necessary for absorption. Without it, the B12 will not be effective. I don't recognize the name PetTinic unless it's a typo. Wonderlabs provides an excellent product, Pet Factor, with the Intrinsic Factor . Many of us have used it as the B12 supplement for many years.
Barb
So glad Scottie is improving. Ask any questions you have.
Does the B12 supplement you are giving have Intrinsic Factor? This is necessary for absorption. Without it, the B12 will not be effective. I don't recognize the name PetTinic unless it's a typo. Wonderlabs provides an excellent product, Pet Factor, with the Intrinsic Factor . Many of us have used it as the B12 supplement for many years.
Barb
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- Member
- Posts: 48
- Location: Los Angeles
- Country: United States
- State: California
- Pet name: Scottie
- My name: Maia
Re: Low TLI- worried
Thanks for checking, Barb! Yes it does have the intrinsic factor, another amazing person on this forum checked that for me when we started giving it to her .
- Madelon
- Staff
- Posts: 1317
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Country: United States
- State: Tennessee
- Pet name: Doc
Re: Low TLI- worried
Hi - glad things are going in the right direction And I'll jump on the no more testing bandwagon LOL. Once your dog is definitive TLI you don't need to have it tested again as the pancreas cannot regenerate itself and the enzymes won't make the TLI number go up. Please know that you don't have to switch to the B12 shots if you don't want to. A lot of us actually switch to the WonderLabs Pet Factor B12 pills after doing the shots. And B12 is not something you have to have repeatedly tested either. We usually recommend retesting after a month or two of supplementing B12 and then there's no need to test again unless you suspect based on symptoms that the B12 level has dropped.
Keep us posted on how things are going!
Keep us posted on how things are going!
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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