Exercise and 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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jean546
Member
Posts: 15
Country: United States
State: Pennsylvania
Pet name: Rudy
My name: Susan

Exercise and EPI

Post by jean546 » 27 Oct 2022, 19:38

Let me start by saying thank you for this great foundation, website and forum!! What awesome information and support!! Just a question, Rudy is a little week over a week into treatment for EPI and SIBO, we also have a 4-year-old GSD and they play constantly. Is it ok for Rudy to be running and playing all day long while starting treatment? My husband is semi-retired and home most of the day, so they are able to play outside all day.

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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: Exercise and EPI

Post by Olesia711 » 27 Oct 2022, 20:05

Gosh yes!!!! let Rudy play to her heart's content... The only time that play is restricted ... and only temporarily....is if the EPI dog (when first diagnosed) is so emancipated that they need a little time to rebuild back some muscle tone.... but even then, if they want to be active they should be allowed within reason.

But if Rudy want's to play, and is not skin and bones with no muscle tone.... let her play.

P.S> thanks for your kind words about the website. We do our best and greatly appreciate hearing it helps folks!
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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jean546
Member
Posts: 15
Country: United States
State: Pennsylvania
Pet name: Rudy
My name: Susan

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by jean546 » 27 Oct 2022, 20:26

Thank you for your quick response! I am learning a great deal about EPI and how to feed him better from other members. I just purchased Slippery Elm Bark powder to add to his regimen. Fingers crossed, hopefully that will help!!

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Jean
Forum Director
Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by Jean » 29 Oct 2022, 07:10

Dont restrict exercise, their muscles will weaken and their mental health will struggle

My Kara was 39 pounds at her lowest she was a GSD female at 14 months old, and a skeleton, but lively, I asked the same question at the Liverpool University Small Animal Hospital to her consultant , and the answer was little, and as often as you can and l,ead walking to keep them slow, but loose as well but maybe no ball throwing , just allow sniffing and short runs, I used to walk Kara maybe 2-3 miles a day altogether and then make her rest completely in a quiet room this would have been maybe 5-6 walks, maybe more

The one thiing is to feed 50% over and above what the instructions on the bag of food as to what the dog SHOULD weigh and a few meals over the day all enzymed

please ask questions and remember we have all walked in your shoes
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

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jean546
Member
Posts: 15
Country: United States
State: Pennsylvania
Pet name: Rudy
My name: Susan

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by jean546 » 29 Oct 2022, 12:44

Thank you for your reply and so sorry for your loss!! He only lost 10 lbs before we knew he had EPI because I made them test for it!! He has had 3 normal poops in the last 2 days and I could not be more thrilled !! He is doing well and exercising as normal . I do have one question, do I give him his flea/heartworm med in his food? He is due for his Simparico tomorrow and I'm not sure how to give it to him? Any suggestions??

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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: Exercise and EPI

Post by Olesia711 » 29 Oct 2022, 12:59

just give the tick & flea meds and heartworm meds as you normally would. Do not incubate with the food.
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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Johnnycake
Member
Posts: 51
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Johnny
My name: MacKenzie

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by Johnnycake » 29 Oct 2022, 14:50

I asked the same question at first, too! When Johnny first came home he couldn’t walk more than ten minutes at a time. Any more than that, he would lay down on the ground and refuse to get up.

If you were pushing him too much I think he would let you know!

Barb
Staff
Posts: 918
Country: United States
State: New Jersey

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by Barb » 29 Oct 2022, 18:33

Welcome to you and Rudy! It sounds like he is doing very well in your care.....the fact that he wants to run and play and have fun with his sibling is a sign that he is happy. Congratulations on his good poo!

Barb

shark0175
Member
Posts: 1
Country: United States
Pet name: milu

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by shark0175 » 14 Dec 2022, 20:35

Absolutely yes. Running and playing don't affect the course of treatment EPI. It's important that you change Ruby's diet to foods that are easy to digest, and relatively low in fat and fiber, while others improve with more fiber or fat.

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Montgomery
Member
Posts: 418
Country: Canada
Pet name: Montgomery (I'm a CAT!)
My name: V

Re: Exercise and EPI

Post by Montgomery » 17 Dec 2022, 15:13

Mad zoomies are a thing in our house. I'm glad they are in your house, too.
Montgomery was born 20 March 2012. He eats extra lean ground chicken, lean ground pork and lean ground beef completed with Alnutrin and freeze-dried chicken liver, with hard-cooked egg. He gets two size zero capsules of Enzyme Diane's enzymes at each of his six meals, and a size four capsule of Tylan three times a day. He's a fierce little Spitfire with a roaring Merlin engine.

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