EPI, IBD, or something else?

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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Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3857
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: EPI, IBD, or something else?

Post by Olesia711 » 29 Nov 2020, 11:04

Hi Stephanie, so sorry that your FReyja does have EPI... but the good thing about this diagnosis is that now you know what it is , how to treat going forward.... :)

EPI is actually very manageable once you find the right balance of recommended EPI protocol for your dog AND once you figure out Freyja's balance...... when things go off (when Freyja has a set-back)..... you will be well prepared and know how to fix it in short order.

REgarding the Tylan dose..... the chart the dose recommendation is what is given for the breakfast meal and then give the same amount again with the evening meal. The dose listings are NOT what the total daily dose is, but rather what each individual dose needs to be.

The fact that your vet wants Freyja to be given 1/8 tsp is most likely per each meal (breakfast and dinner) which is perfectly fine, even though the typical recommendation for 20lbs would be 1/16 tsp morning and 1/16tsp night..... If your vet recommends 1/8 twice 12 hours apart.... i would do so without any worries. Tylan is VERY forgiving and with this drug, and giving more is fine,,, it is only when you give less that there can be a problem.
https://epi4dogs.com/antibiotics/

However.... if you would like, go ahead and give the 1/8 today with breakfast and dinner..... and then tomorrow.... just call the vet to clarify exactly what does he wants you to give Freya with Breakfast and Dinner.

BTW....your vet sounds like a very good vet who is trying hard to work with you getting Freyja on the right track.

Keep us posted....
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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Madelon
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Posts: 1317
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Pet name: Doc

Re: EPI, IBD, or something else?

Post by Madelon » 01 Dec 2020, 22:24

Sounds like you and your vet are on top of things and Freyja is on her way to healing. My only concern is the food. I'm sure the vet is worried about grain free because of all the social media hype about grain free, however, in my opinion it's best to treat the condition you know your dog has and there is more research needed regarding DCM and grain free. Please share the following link with your vet as to why we recommend grain free https://epi4dogs.com/why-grainfree-foods/ and https://epi4dogs.com/taurine-grainfree-diets/

I think it's important to work with your vet but I also think it's important to question things - why not try grain free? When my boy was first diagnosed my vet said we did not need to supplement B12 - his level was 406 - after reading everything here and the research I asked why not give B12 - I ordered the WonderLab pills because I knew it was crucial to managing EPI - I let the vet know and he said it was fine as he would pee out any extra. I know my boy would not have healed as quickly as he did if I had not given the B12. I'm not saying to do things without the vet's being on board but sometimes you have to ask why not? if it's something that won't cause harm - why not try it and see if it helps?

Keep us posted on how things go.
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.

User avatar
Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3857
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: EPI, IBD, or something else?

Post by Olesia711 » 02 Dec 2020, 10:49

well said Madelon!

..... the most valuable thing i have learned (which evolved from dealing with EPI for almost 14 years!) is to not blindly accept anything i am told but instead i listen, do my own research and then ask questions. :)
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.........

AndreaDogMomma
Member
Posts: 16
Country: United States
State: Pennsylvania
Pet name: Beau
My name: Andrea

Re: EPI, IBD, or something else?

Post by AndreaDogMomma » 04 Dec 2020, 10:40

Hi friend, and welcome!!
I'm so sorry to hear you're having a hard time, you're story is so very similar to my own, so I know - It's a long, dark, frustrating road.
My pup, Beau is a year and a half old Labradoodle, we have had issues since day 1, and just recently made some progress - after 3 vets, 2 specialists, countless meds & testing, I took matters into my own hands & along with this forum and the beautiful humans on here, we finally are getting somewhere, though still have a long journey ahead.
If you ever wanna chat, feel free to message me. I just wanted touch real quick on your final comment about the "clean up". After a year, of sometimes at it's worst up to 10 or more episodes of diarrhea a day, we started taking buckets of water and/or the hose. Trying to pick it up with bags was often pointless, we had to rip whole patches of grass out in order to get it all up. So we started just spraying it away 😕
Good luck with your journey, and please feel free to message me anytime ❤️ Andrea & Beau
Beau's❤️Momma

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1345
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: EPI, IBD, or something else?

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 05 Dec 2020, 10:10

Andrea, the hose idea is brilliant. My dogs have tramped away every last evidence of grass in my backyard, so I just use loose dirt. It's easy to find, since there's no grass, but your idea is great. ---Pam
Tucker was a shepherd/lab mix--- TLI 1.3, Folate 9.7, Cobalamin 666, Lipase 38. Took Diane's Enzymes 4 teaspoons/day, Wonderlabs B12 one capsule per day, and Tylan 1/16 teaspoon/ morning (to hold SID at bay). Taste of the Wild High Prairie, 1 1/2 cups/day, with a total of 4 cups of Fresh Pet. Stopped eating everything in sight, and went from 60 to 85 pounds! Tucker was my boyfriend, and my husband was OK with that. Tucker succumbed to hemangiosarcoma, but we cherished every day we had with that wonderful, beautiful boy. I will always, always miss my sweet big boy.

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