Worsening EPI???

[gracien]

Hi everyone. I have a 9 year old dog that was diagnosed with EPI about 8 years ago, somewhere around age 1 we think. She was a rescue dog. We have had her on the same enzymes for all those years from a mail order company that is also listed on this website. She originally was also on Tylan and injectable B12, now just b`12 tablets. She's about 65 lbs and eats twice daily, same food each time, mix of little wet and dry. Have not changed brands. Always used a teaspoon of enzymes each meal and she has done very well. Recently she started having diarrhea, uncontrollable. She was treated by the vet with metronidazole, however her stools never improved. We finally did $500 worth of blood work her her TLI level is extremely low again at 1.2, She was normal a year ago. The vet tells me that EPI doesn't get worse and she thinks the enzymes are deficient. I can't understand this because these are the same brand we have used all these years. Has anyone else experienced this?

[jilbert57]

I am sorry you are having trouble. Your vet is right once diagnosed Epi if the number goes lower nothing happens, the Epi doesn't get worse.
The powder can vary in strength from batch to batch as the source of the pancreas is probably not consistent. Not sure which enzymes you use. Some pups need a tad increase in amount of enzymes as they age.

Jill

[Jean]

Good morning from the UK

Couple of questions

what breed is she

The score now of 1.2 is a definite positive EPI test.

you mention she was normal last year what do you mean by that

Once there is a specialised cTLI blood test which is indicative of EPI, 2.5, and under, it means the pancreas isn't producing the enzymes needed to digest food , therefore, they have to be introduced by whatever method , and you say you have used on line products

Can you tell us what enzymes you are using

The recommendation is 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of kibble of powdered enzyme

are you giving any food without enzymes

is she having and rumbling tum ?

It looks like you will have to reintroduce Tylan

this is the doseage chart

https://epi4dogs.com/antibiotics/

and given twice daily morning and night feeds

B12 , did they do a test on the levels ?

look forward to your responses


Jeanx

[Barb]

Hello and welcome.

If you make changes, make sure you keep a daily record of the changes you make so you can see what works.

Barb

[Olesia711]

As many EPI dogs age.... sometimes their body does not function as efficiently as it used to.... and then require a pinch more of enzymes going forward... no matter what brand of enzymes you are using...

If this loose/possibly watery stools happened all of a sudden.... that could be more of a food item sensitivity that has developed.....

If this loose stool worsened over the course of multiple days..... then this sounds more like SID.....out of control.... this happens to most EPI dogs at one time or another. Metro usually does NOT fix... first, they advise to try prebiotics, if that doesn't work, then try pre+probiotics, and if that doesn't work, then try Tylan, and if that doesn't work....and if this is bad, then a short course of prednisone can be tried.

The other thing is that it is possible the B12 level is slipping...... so this is another thing you might need to look at.

And or last but not least......this could be something not EPI that triggered the loose stools.............. but with an EPI dog.... we first looks at EPI related triggers..........

[gracien]

Thank you! Have her on Tylan and increased enzymes and she seems to be better. B12 was high.

[Olesia711]

glad the tylan and more enzymes "appear" to helping...........