At a Loss

[bethmlambert22]

Hello everyone,

I am a long-time lurker and first-time poster. My GSD, Riker, was diagnosed with EPI in August 2023, and it was a stressful as well as a bit scary road to his initial diagnosis. I cannot thank this website and forum enough for all the insight and wisdom shared, as stumbling upon Epi4Dogs allowed me to advocate for Riker at his vet and get him the proper testing, etc that led to his diagnosis w/ EPI.

Once we started enzymes, his weight gain and general recovery were amazing! Unfortunately, over the last month or so he seems to have destabilized. His bowel movements have progressed from formed and dark brown to cow patty/light brown again. It's been pretty distressing. Luckily, he is not losing weight and is still having 2-3 poops/day (his baseline at stabilization). The quality of the poops though, are just terrible.

I am hoping for some feedback on his current diet/supplement regimen to see if there is anything I can modify to try to stabilize him again.

Fed 3x/day: Farmina ND Prime (Boar and apple)
Slippery elm: originally was given as needed for runny poops, but is now daily (.5 scoop of WonderLabs with 3rd meal)
Proviable probiotic: new addition over the last week (1 capsule emptied into 3rd meal)_
Wonder Labs B12: 1 capsule emptied on food w/ 3rd meal

I know it is likely a matter of playing around with this until I figure out the right combo, but any guidance is very very welcomed!!
Thank you!
Beth

[bethmlambert22]

Oh and of course! He has 1.5 tsp Enzyme Diane w/ 1.5 cups of food at each meal. Silly me- the most important part of his diet!

[Eddiespaghetti]

If slippery elm isn't working out, it might be time to try Tylan (Tylsoin). You have already tried probiotics. You might also want to try increasing the enzymes by 1/8-1/4th teaspoon. Sometimes, they just need more enzymes.
Though in order to help a little bit better. May we have their current weight?

[bethmlambert22]

Of course! Riker is currently 83lbs.

[Eddiespaghetti]

Awesome. You can try to increase the slippery elm to one scoop. That is the recommended amount for a dog that size. Riker might just more of it to coat their GI tract.
It is most likely from the SIDs getting out of control. It does happen from time to time.
The common options are slippery elm, pre/probiotics, and Tylan powder. You have tried most of those except the Tylan. You can try to increase the slippery elm or speak to your vet and Tylan powder.

[Olesia711]

Hi Beth,
Jeremy gave you some great suggestions..... and i too suspect that this is SID/SIBO/Dysbiosis that got out of control.

All the suggestions are great, but remember to try things one-at-a-time... so.... the first thing i would do is
1. try increasing the slippery elm.... give it a few days to assess, if it improves things or makes things worse..... if it doesn't help.... then
2. try stopping the slippery elm
3. if stopping the slippery elm makes things worse, then go back to using it, but next try increasing the enzymes by 1/8 tsp.
4. if increasing the enzymes help but not completely.... then slightly increase the enzymes even a pinch more.
5. if increasing the enzymes doesn't help, then ask your vet to prescribe Tylan. 1/4 tsp twice a day/45 days with meals (just don't mix in the meals to start with.... pour the designated Tylan powder into empty gel caps.....
6. if the stools get sloppy again, then that would indicate that the food is not optimal and some ingredient in it is setting him off....is it the canned food that you are feeding him?

[Eddiespaghetti]

While Olesia is absolutely correct with the suggestions. I, personally, don't like waiting that long when it comes to their poop. I would go straight to trying to get tylosin. The choice is 100 percent yours of course. Just saying what I would do. Get the poop stable then experiment.

[betterwound]

Can you share with me how to care for a pet with EPI and what diet is appropriate?

geometry dash scratch

[Montgomery]

Is it possible he's picked up a parasite?

[bethmlambert22]

Thank you for all of the feedback everyone!

Olesia- he is eating the dry Farmina ND Prime line. Thank you so much for the detailed advice, so helpful!

Jeremy- appreciate the suggestions. I've reached out to his vet to see if I can get him some Tylan, even to have on hand if he is not getting better.

I do think I was hoping for a quick fix- especially with how fast his initial recovery was once he was started on enzymes after his initial EPI diagnosis. But, I agree, one change at a time. I will keep everyone updated. Fingers crossed!