MY THOUGHTS ON EPI

[Jean]

Hello all and all new folk

I put this on the old forum a long time ago, and now can not find it

So here goes

You get a dog, or cat and its fine, all of a sudden it isn't, and you run tests with vet and you have a diagnosis of EPI

And you are given very little help in the vets surgery

You look at this pathetic animal, and its wasting away, and you get home, and research, and you panic,

Firstly, the cost of a life time illness, and you are all on your own

You find EPI4DOGS and you find you are not alone, and to learn words like EPI, SIBO,COBALAMIN, B12, ENZYMES, ANTIBIOTICS ETC

You didnt sign on for any of this, and this animal needs you

So you reach out to this group and they are there 24/7 with answers or just plain support, they teach you that there are cheaper ways to finance this illness, and what to ask your vet, and how to medicate

So you pick yourself up and move on

We have all been in new folks shoes, so please hang in there

Jean

[Jean]

Can I just say that this what I remember from 8 years ago

Kara was difficult to stabalise, but she is now 9 and although we have other issues her EPI is stable

Just keep the faith

Jx

[jilbert57]

Very well put Jean. You have done a beautiful job with Kara and she is a great role model.

[Barb]

Jean, you summarized those early days of EPI diagnosis beautifully. That is probably the most difficult time. Once we find this site and know that there is help and support, it becomes much more manageable and much less scary.
Thank you for reminding all of the new members of this. Those of us who have dogs who were not easily stabilized are extra appreciative. How far Kara has come your loving care. And how much you have helped others with your generous support, day or night.

Barb

[Olesia711]

Jean, so well said..... you captured the sheer fright we go thru with the initial diagnosis and then the sheer joy of how well it can be treated with a little help from friends (Epi4Dogs)

[RingoMommy]

Thanks Jean.
It feels great to be coming out of the fog after three weeks with the diagnosis. We are tracking his meals and poops everyday (this morning he had a 2.5/3 for colour and a 2/3 for consistency) so maybe identify some trends. It's a poop rollercoaster but he gained 0.4lbs last week so I am happy with that.

The hardest things about EPI are:

1. Waiting for my food.
2. Still waiting for my food.
3. Mom, I see my food! Give me my food!

Foods!

20180827_211253.jpg (1.79 MiB) Viewed 6222 times

[jilbert57]

What a cutie! Yes, waiting is hard for them to do.

[Olesia711]

what a great picture with a real cutie. Hope you submitted a pic for the 2019 EPI calendars... this one is a real winner.... made me chuckle

[RingoMommy]

Oh, I think I missed the calendar deadline. I do think Ringo missed his calling as a supermodel...

[Olesia711]

You still have time to submit Ringo's picture... the deadline is Aug 31.
Just email his pic... any one of them, he is just so cute....to Susan. Her EPI picture email address is:

epipics0059@gmail.com

Just be sure to include your first name and of course Ringo's name