New to EPI and surviving thanks to this forum

[ibala7]

My 19-year-old mini dachshund, Junior, had EPI symptoms for 2 months before I was able to get him on the right track to his former self. I have to thank everyone here for helping me save my little man. He had lost a third of his body weight and my vet pretty much attributed it to him dying of old age. No exaggeration, it was as though the vet had never heard of EPI. I suggested the lack of digestive enzymes and was told that was something a dog is born with. I was given an unlabeled sample of Pancrezyme with directions to "sprinkle a pinch of it on his food." I looked up the manufacturer's directions and used it properly with immediate results. More information here helped me to figure out the most effective regimen and also to understand the ups and downs of it all. He was urinating an unbelievable amount for a couple days when I learned here that it was too much enzymes and that his urination would level out over a period of time (which it has!)

His weight loss began in January, going from 15 pounds to just 10 and knocking at death's door. As of today, he has gained back over 3 pounds, has normal stools again, and is full of his old vigor and attitude. I can't thank you all enough for the knowledge, support and suggestions I've found here.

Forever grateful,
Mary Ellen and Junior

[Ruby]

SOOOOOO Happy for you and your dog. This website is a life saver for so many animals. We are so blessed to have this information. I know I can't find a vet anywhere around here for years that can relate to this problem. If it weren't for the information provided here and my prayers to God my dog would not be alive. And today is her birthday ....9 years old . She was not supposed to live before 1 years old. But, she is blessed beyond measure because of these kind people sharing and of course the extensive research that Olesia and her contacts have done and are still doing.

[Riley's Mom]

I am so happy you found us and your pup is doing well as a result. So many vets are uninformed about EPI, it is part of Epi4Dog's mission to educate....not just helping owners of EPI pets, but the professional community as well.
Some of our staff are going to the AVMA convention this Summer to do exactly that, interact with vets, vet techs, students etc to help get the word out and educate about a VERY treatable condition.
I am so glad your pup is now doing better. Point your vet to this site to help him/her understand better what EPI really means.

On a side note, Happy Birthday Ruby Doo Bee!

[Barb]

Mary Ellen, we are so glad your pup is doing well. He is lucky to have someone like you who would not give up on him and looked for correct information. We are glad you found us. We all share your gratitude for everything we learn here every day. All of our dogs are reaping the benefits. We hope that through the research of many fine people, EPI can be prevented some day. In the meantime, we do all we can to help people to identify it and understand how to manage it so their dogs can live normal lives.

Thank you for writing. We are glad that Junior is doing well.

Barb

[Riley's Mom]

BTW, did your post say 19 year old?? Wow is all I can say about that! Good for you, you must be taking extraordinary care of your special little man. Kudos to you.

[ibala7]

BTW, did your post say 19 year old?? Wow is all I can say about that! Good for you, you must be taking extraordinary care of your special little man. Kudos to you.

Yes, 19! We adopted him when he was 12 and thought we'd make his last couple of years comfortable. Little did we know...

[Riley's Mom]

Wow, I'm just amazed. I hope I get as much time with my girl.
Good for you to take in a senior

[Madelon]

What a little cutie pie you have! First THANK YOU for adopting, especially a senior dog - looks like he knew what he was doing when he picked you . I'm so glad you found our website/forum and were able to get him back to his spunky little self. I hate to think of where all of these dogs and cats would be if Olesia had not started this organization and dedicated her life to researching EPI and spreading education of how to properly manage it. I was so lost before I found this amazing group of people to help guide me.

[Barb]

That is an amazing story! You both reaped the benefits of adopting a senior! Lovely for both of you!

Barb