Which way do I go?

[thunder]

I found out a month ago my German Shepherd Raider has epi. The tli test came back B12 was good. He didn’t need antibiotics. She put him on prozyme. I have been reading a lot on epi in the last month. So I put Raider on a grain free food. He seem to have a firmer bowel movement. The vet told me to switch to salmon and sweet potatoes. I did the last two weeks we are back to cow patties again. So she gave proviable dc on Thursday said by Monday he should be doing better. If not we will try Tylan. I asked her a few weeks ago about tylan she said he didn’t need it. I have heard the enzymes she gave me really won’t even help him. Not sure what to think and help?

[Madelon]

Hi and welcome to our EPI family. Do you have the test results? If not, please get a copy from your vet and post the TLI, B12 and Folate numbers here - it will help us be better able to offer suggestions. If your dog does have EPI, then the Prozyme will not help - EPI dogs require porcine enzyme replacement.

There are four cornerstones to properly managing EPI:

ENZYMES: Most of us use EnzymeDiane Pancreatin 6x (www.enzymediane.com) - recommended starting dose is 1 level teaspoon per cup of kibble, mix in luke warm water to dissolve, mix in kibble and sit 20-30 minutes before serving.

B12: EPI dogs need their B12 to be on the high side of normal 600+. Most have low B12 at diagnosis or will develop it. You can either do shots or use WonderLabs Pet Factor B12 pills. B12 supplementing is for life with these dogs.

ANTIBIOTICS: In the beginning we recommend giving the proper protocol of enzymes, B12 and food a few weeks to see if the gut corrects itself. If not then a 45 day course of Tylan is recommended and slowly wean off. You can also try Slippery Elm Bark Powder before antibiotics https://epi4dogs.com/slippery-elm/

FOOD: We recommend grain free with 4% fiber or less and avoid or limit peas. Feed 150% of the food for the weight your dog should be but in smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.

Keep a detailed journal o everything you give and everything that comes out so you'll know what's working and what isn't. Don't worry, we'll be here to help guide you along the way.

[Tuckaboo Pam]

Take heart, you will be ok, and Raider will improve. Just so you know, Diane's Enzymes can be ordered directly from Diane, and she sends them quickly. She will also include an informative pamphlet. If you want to give Raider B12, you can order WonderLabs Pet with Intrinsic Factor, from the company or from Amazon, and you can even buy Tylan from an online source. I hope your vet will realize she doesn't know that much about EPI, and either educates herself or refers you to another vet. I had a similar experience. Take care---Pam

[Madelon]

We always say the best vet is not necessarily one that is familiar with EPI but one that you trust and is willing to learn with you. Unfortunately EPI is not given much attention in veterinarian school because it is not as common as tick diseases, heartworms, etc. so many vets are unfamiliar with it or the most recent protocol.