Hard stools

[Kate]

Emma has had EPI since December 2022. She was diagnosed in April 2023.
Happily she has done well with treatment.

I have noticed lately that she has pretty hard stools, smaller chunks. Is it possible that it is too much enzyme? Should I just try a bit less?

Otherwise she's good.
Thanks, Kate

[Montgomery]

Is she drinking enough water? Can you encourage her to consume more if needed by freezing water in a kong or adding it to her food, for instance?

[jilbert57]

Have you recently added new food with bone in it?
As V said please make sure your pup gets enough water.
Is your pup getting daily exercise and play time?
I would add a little plain pumpkin or some leafy greens finely chopped to a meal.

Jill

[Olesia711]

i too would not reduce the enzymes, but rather make sure she is drinking enough water, and maybe add some fresh veggies and fruit to the meals. ALso...as mentioned above, she might be getting too much bone if you changed the diet,,,,,,,

[Kate]

Thank you for the advice. Emma's diet consists of Purina pro plan kibble and canned, to that I add cooked turkey or beef, a tablespoon of canned pumpkin, a little frozen spinach and blueberries.
No added bone. I do add a fair amount of water to the mix. She gets a squirt of salmon oil, Fortiflora, collagen, biotin. Sometimes a boiled egg.
Are other cooked veggies acceptable for EPI?
She does not drink a lot of water. Exercise daily, off leash for a 2 mi walk. In and out all day.
That's about it.
Thanks again.

[Olesia711]

yes,... you can give : string beans, squash, butternut squash, kale, broccoli, rutabaga, turnips, carrots, sweet potato, cukes, beets, celery, zucchini and there are some others too.... but veggies need to be cooked and some you have to not overdue, like broccoli or Brussel sprouts- -as it could give them gas)

And there are lots of fresh fruits that they can have too...strawberries, watermelon, pears, apples, banana, cranberries (cooked), kiwi, pineapple, raspberries, blackberries, peaches (and even fresh tomato in limited amounts). Of course all fruits should be given in small amounts.

However.... what you are feeding sounds good... but maybe add some more fruit... for the fiber... supposedly fiber often helps with constipation.. or try adding another tsp of canned pumpkin... see if that helps............

[Kate]

Thank you for the advice. I'll try more veg.
I did cut back on the enzyme a bit and have not seen any problems.

[Olesia711]

when you cook whatever veggie you decide on..... maybe save the water and include some of that in the meal.

Keep us posted and let us know how it goes !