ACID-LIKE REFLUX

When a dog has EPI, they typically also have bile acid issues.  Please check out Dr. Suchodolski’s research on Bile Acid in EPI dogs on this page: https://epi4dogs.com/epi-research/

June 2017: Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency have Dysbiosis and Abnormal Fecal Lactate and Bile Acid Concentrations
June 2017: Fecal Fatty Acid Concentrations in Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Receiving Enzyme Supplementation
2019 (Oct 31): Altered Microbiota, Fecal Lactate & Bile Acids  (EPI Dogs)

Sometimes the bile acid issue is evident in the EPI dogs with acid reflux symptoms. And sometimes although present, the dog does not display any symptoms.  If the dog does display “acid-reflux-like” symptoms, ask the vet to consider prescribing Omeprazole. For milder cases, some may prescribe Pepcid AC, but Omeprazole appears to work better in most cases. If the Omeprazole fails, a vet might consider Cholestyramine. Cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestrant, that is used to lower high cholesterol in the body, but it is also used to remove bile acids from the body 

If the acid reflux meds do not appear to be working, please have the vet check the vitamin levels in the dog. Fat soluble vitamins accumulate in the body and, for example,  signs of vitamin D toxicity can mimic acid reflux: Vomiting, Weakness, Loss of appetite, Increased thirst and urination, Weight loss, Constipation, Excessive drooling.

Because we try so hard to take very good care of our dogs, we may be “over-caring” and giving them food with vitamins, food enhancers with vitamins, supplements with vitamins, enzymes with vitamins, etc.,  and unbeknownst to us, there may be an overload of fat soluble vitamins that can trigger a toxicity to a fat soluble vitamin.
If you have concerns, ALWAYS, check with your vet, and if need be, run a vitamin blood test to see what vitamins may or may not be needed for your EPI dog.

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