What a difference a year has made (Mina update)

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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DocX
Member
Posts: 18
Country: United States
State: Massachusetts
Pet name: Mina
My name: Doc

What a difference a year has made (Mina update)

Post by DocX » 12 Mar 2023, 09:29

It's been about a year and a month since my GSD Mina, now almost 3, was diagnosed with EPI. She has gained almost almost 20 pounds since her diagnosis and finally become a dog who likes to eat most of the time. I can't believe how far we have come. Thanks to everyone for your support when we were in such a rough place a year ago and I had so much trouble getting her to eat anything.

The most important thing I've learned this year is how much SIBO contributed to the problems I was seeing, especially early on. Mina kept getting stuck in cycles of SIBO -> doesn't feel good -> GI symptoms and food aversion. After several rounds of this, her vet said 'some EPI dogs just need to be on tylosin every day forever. She is probably one of them,' and we have all been much, much happier since then.

Thanks again, especially to Olesia, for helping me learn how to make this very manageable.

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jilbert57
Staff
Posts: 2091
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: What a difference a year has made (Mina update)

Post by jilbert57 » 12 Mar 2023, 09:39

What a great update!
Yes it is true. Some animals just need to be on a maintenance dose of Tylan for their life to help keep their gut in balance. So glad thing have worked themselves out.
Keep us posted!

Jill
My name is Jill and we live on the Hood Canal in Washington State. We currently have 2 Jack russells, TJ is 8 and Sadie is 2.

Mickey and his pancreatitis brought me to Epi4dogs.com site in 2012 to help manage it.
He lived from 6/99 - 8/2014

Mickey, Jack Russell. Chronic Pancreatitis. Dianes enzymes, 1/8t 3x/day with meals.

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

Re: What a difference a year has made (Mina update)

Post by Montgomery » 12 Mar 2023, 22:53

Awesome! Way to go!
SIBO? Evil little bastard. We know him well.
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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Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3858
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: What a difference a year has made (Mina update)

Post by Olesia711 » 12 Mar 2023, 23:46

Thanks for Mina's update...and thank you for the very kind words!!!! and YES!... your vet is 110% correct.... some dogs just need to do Tylan antibiotic... no matter how hard we try not to do antibiotics, sometimes when all else fails, it is the only answer. interestingly enough, when i started Epi4Dogs it was to help others dealing with EPI, but quite honestly, i think dealing with SID/SIBO is a bigger problem than just EPI. I am so glad to hear that Mina is doing well now :)
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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