supplements with EPI

[Kerstin89]

Hi,

We have a GSD who was diagnosed with EPI over a year ago we are managing this well by using lypex. due to him getting older he needs to take supplements to help with his back but we can't seem to find anything that doesn't upset his tummy. we have tried using yumove which was recommended by the vet but either the fish or the glucosamine is reacting with him. has anyone had similar and can offer some advice.

[Chance]

Most can tolerate joint supplements without issue, but not all. Most often these supplements are taken with meals.

Chance was one that had a real sensitivity to shellfish. We tried many of the different brands available on the market; but none were tolerated. Even had a friend in Australia send me a package of green lipped mussel. He couldn't tolerate that either, and ended up sending it back to her for her dogs. (This was a known problem with him since before EPI dx. And it did not improve after). He ate other fish without issue; but anything shellfish would come back to bite.

If you have only tried the one brand, it's hard to say if it's just an ingredient in that one that is causing a problem; or if it's perhaps a shellfish thing as well. So my suggestion is to perhaps try a different brand of something with similar main ingredients; and try to avoid anything with fillers/flavor. Sometimes it's the tasty fillers that can be the problem. If another brand (without fillers) works; great. If it doesn't, then it's possible there's a sensitivity to fish or shellfish.

If other brands of glucosamine still cause issues, there's other supplements you can use instead (such as proteolytic enzymes). But first, I'd try other glucosamine based supplements...

[jessipinkman]

You might try a different joint supplement with a simpler formula, like one without fish or glucosamine, such as green-lipped mussel or MSM. Some EPI dogs do better with hydrolyzed or single-ingredient options.

[Olesia711]

i am not sure what kind of back problem you need to deal with.... BUT......we have used cold laser treatments on our pets personally with great success.... is this something you could look into that might help and not cause any upset?