Autoimmune issues causing EPI?

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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louisamurray19
Member
Posts: 13
Location: Durham
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Belle, Rory
My name: Louisa

Autoimmune issues causing EPI?

Post by louisamurray19 » 02 Aug 2022, 19:22

I wanted to see if anyone has experienced autoimmune issues with their pup prior to being diagnosed with EPI. About a year ago, our Pembroke Welsh Corgi Belle, at age 6 years, was diagnosed with what out vet thought was Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (SLO)- an abnormal toe nail formation. - which is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Then, about 6 months ago, she was diagnosed with vasculitis that effected her ear tips and paw pads, another autoimmune disorder. Three months later, she's diagnosed with EPI, seemingly out of the blue. I am wondering if the EPI could be a result of her autoimmune issues? And, if so, will the autoimmune continue to wreak havoc on her?
I don't know if I should pursue a veterinary Rheumatologist or some other specialist to try and get the autoimmune disorder(s) under control. Last thing I want is to be chasing all these diagnoses and missing the bigger picture. We are supplementing her with Vit E, D3 Forte, Niacinimide, Omega 3's and biotin/chondroitin as well as the usual EPI regimen.
TIA

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

Re: Autoimmune issues causing EPI?

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 02 Aug 2022, 20:20

Hi, Louisa, and welcome. I am so sorry your sweet Belle has so much going on. Corgis are so precious.

Staff will soon come in and do the best answer your questions, but in the meantime, will you please post all your test results, what you are feeding Belle, and what your EPI regimen is?

Thank you---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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Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3858
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: Autoimmune issues causing EPI?

Post by Olesia711 » 02 Aug 2022, 21:38

Hi Louisa,

Welcome to our EPI family, although i am sure this is not someplace you had a yearning to be...........

EPI is an autoimmune condition.... and after running this forum for over 14 years....and having had an EPI dog myself (why this website was started in the first place) with some dogs that have EPI, over time they develop other autoimmune conditions....and there is no consistency with what kinds of other conditions come about, just that they too are usually some sort of autoimmune condition. Can other auto immune conditions come about first? Sure!

One of our earlier members, her EPI dog developed SLO after being diagnosed with EPI. ... and there were a couple others.

My dog first developed juvenile incontinence, then EPI at 1+1/2 yr old .... then she developed Vestibular (the central brain inflammation one) and then Uveitus, and then she developed IMHA a very serious and often deadly autoimmune condition, and simultaneously developed diabetes and hypothyroid. She lived to 15 years old and was one of the happiest, funniest dogs i ever had. Even though she was obviously riddled with autoimmune conditions ... she was a fierce fighter who loved life (she was constantly teasing and into some sort of mischief daily!) but accepted and flourished with every treatment for every condition that she had.

So my personal viewpoint is to YES, do treat every individual condition that comes along UNLESS you can tell that a dog doesn't have the will or desire to fight the battle. BUt like i said, this is just my personal viewpoint. Ultimately it is your dog and you and your dog's decision on how to proceed.......
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.........

louisamurray19
Member
Posts: 13
Location: Durham
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Belle, Rory
My name: Louisa

Re: Autoimmune issues causing EPI?

Post by louisamurray19 » 04 Aug 2022, 18:59

Hi Pam,
Our first Corgi was Tucker! Truly an incorrigible pup! If anyone should have gotten EPI it should have been him. He ate anything and everything. Lived to the ripe, old age of 15!
Belle is our 5th Corgi, along with her cousin Oliver, our 6th, who is 6 yrs. That's why this is such a surprise for us.
Belle's current diet, 3 x day, consists of:
1/4 cup Blue Buffalo Grain Free Salmon/Sweet Potato
1/4 cup Honest Kitchen Human Grade Grain Free dehydrated chicken
She was down to 22 lbs from 28 (which was a bit chubby for her). Her ideal weight should be around 24-25. So, that is what we are trying to get her back to. We are adding an extra meal we are calling "elevensies" mid day, until her weight climbs back. Of course, meals now include 1/4 tsp of enzymes ea meal. She is also supplemented once a day with Vit E, D3 Forte, Omega 3, Niacinimide, (these in support of her other autoimmune issues) and 500mg B12 with intrinsic factor. We have been on the enzymes for about a week and a half now. She is looking so much better and tomorrow is our weekly weigh in. She looks like she's gained maybe a half lb.
I've attached her latest labs. You'll notice a set from 6/23 and a set from 7/6. I was disappointed to see that they did not check her B12. We are getting that tested in about 4 weeks. Thank you for taking the time to inquire. I really appreciate it.
L
Belle labs June_July.PDF
(53.77 KiB) Downloaded 30 times
Belle is our 7 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi who was recently diagnosed with EPI. Once we got a diagnosis and started treatment she is doing great. She is on Viokase-V enzymes, 1/2 tsp per 1/2 cup of food twice a day. She gets a capsule of Wonderlabs Pet Factor B-12 with Intrinsic Factor every day. Belle also has some other autoimmune disorders, but over all, she is a healthy, energetic girl who has her hands full managing mom and dad, her 6 year old Corgi cousin, a 10 year old Dowager Bichon and an 11 month old Corgi pup.

louisamurray19
Member
Posts: 13
Location: Durham
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Belle, Rory
My name: Louisa

Re: Autoimmune issues causing EPI?

Post by louisamurray19 » 04 Aug 2022, 19:05

Thank you for the welcome, Olesia. While, as you say, I would rather not be here, I am so thankful that this site exists. It has provided a wealth of information on a condition, that up until 3 weeks ago, I had no idea even existed. I would be at a loss without it. I have even told my vet about it as she has no experience with EPI, either.
Based on your experience, it looks like I just need to go with the flow and hope that no other autoimmune issues pop up with Belle. But, if they do, we'll continue to treat them as they come.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
L
Belle is our 7 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi who was recently diagnosed with EPI. Once we got a diagnosis and started treatment she is doing great. She is on Viokase-V enzymes, 1/2 tsp per 1/2 cup of food twice a day. She gets a capsule of Wonderlabs Pet Factor B-12 with Intrinsic Factor every day. Belle also has some other autoimmune disorders, but over all, she is a healthy, energetic girl who has her hands full managing mom and dad, her 6 year old Corgi cousin, a 10 year old Dowager Bichon and an 11 month old Corgi pup.

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