Chew Recommendations

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.
Post Reply
User avatar
VespersEclipse
Member
Posts: 3
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Vesper
My name: Aly

Chew Recommendations

Post by VespersEclipse » 24 Mar 2024, 17:27

Hello everyone. New EPI mom here. My GSD mix Vesper (1 year and 4 months) was diagnosed with EPI this past Wednesday. The vet has been wonderful and I have already started her on B12 and enzymes along with a low fiber diet. However, I wanted to get some advice on chews. Vesper, while done growing for the most part, is still an avid chewer. It's her favorite past-time. I'm not a big fan of bones (except raw meaty), but I do purchase yak cheese, tracheas, cow ears, and bullysticks for her. Tracheas are definitely her favorite. Will giving her those on occassion mess with her system? Should I try to plan it around meal times? What advice do you all have?

I just want to add that finding this site has been an absolute life saver. It was actually what prompted me to ask the vet to specifically work up to testing Vesper for EPI (saved me a lot of $$). This has been the greatest source for a new EPI pup mom. Thank you so much!
Top
User avatar
jilbert57
Staff
Posts: 2129
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: Chew Recommendations

Post by jilbert57 » 24 Mar 2024, 17:36

I would wait on treats for Vesper until the poop is consistently good.
If you want to try small chew yes, please do it after an enzymed meal. If you find the poop goes south you might need to rethink.

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.
Top
User avatar
VespersEclipse
Member
Posts: 3
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Vesper
My name: Aly

Re: Chew Recommendations

Post by VespersEclipse » 24 Mar 2024, 18:15

Thank you, Jill! Definitely seems reasonable.
Top
User avatar
Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3933
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: Chew Recommendations

Post by Olesia711 » 25 Mar 2024, 14:12

Hi Aly,

just catching up now on some posts..... and i LOVE LOVE LOVE the pic of Vesper in your profile pic! What a cutie!

SO... Jill correctly answered your question. If possible, just hold off on these extra "treats" until things settle down.... and once introducing... try just a tiny piece of it near an enzymed meal (within 1 hr of a meal).. give it a few days to make sure loose or softer stools don't happen. However.... if loose stools do happen... then see if you can switch to heavy meaty soup bones or something.........
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.........
Top
User avatar
VespersEclipse
Member
Posts: 3
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Vesper
My name: Aly

Re: Chew Recommendations

Post by VespersEclipse » 31 Mar 2024, 09:44

Hi Olesia.

Haha! Thank you, she's quite the ham.

And thank you so much for providing that time window. That really helps a lot!
Top
User avatar
Olesia711
Founder & Research Director
Posts: 3933
Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: Chew Recommendations

Post by Olesia711 » 31 Mar 2024, 12:47

Hi Aly, you are very welcome... and i should also add... when first giving big raw meaty bones (big soup bones) trim all the fat and grizzle off the bone that you can take off :)
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.........
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Epi4Dogs Forum”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 439 guests