EPI and Addison's - weight struggle

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.
Chance
Member
Posts: 197
Country: Canada
Pet name: Chance
My name: Andrea

Re: EPI and Addison's - weight struggle

Post by Chance » 11 Jan 2023, 23:09

Re Addison's: YES! Minor electrolyte imbalances will affect the weight! My vet was an idiot, and said electrolytes were fine (when potassium was at 5.4 - ref: 4.0 to 5.4. Sodium was very low normal). I argued that this was not good. There's no wiggle room. We argued. Vet insisted he will feel exactly the same if the potassium is a few points lower, Yada Yada Yada. Keep meds as is. Feed him more.

2 weeks later, recheck had K at 5.5 (one point above normal. Na slightly low). Vet again says all is well. Keep everything as is. My arguments fell on deaf ears.

On my own, I decided to increase the meds. Easier to beg forgiveness later... 2 weeks later, electrolytes were slightly better. He'd gained 2 lbs. I reminded the vet that there wasn't much need for men in his profession if they are in jail...then I confessed my sins. I nearly fell over when he said "you did the right thing ". The imbalance should not have been bad enough to cause that much weight loss...but my dog liked to write his own Addison's books.

Although you can't test it, you do also need to be mindful of steroid dose. Too much can cause muscle wasting and weight loss. So you want the lowest dose required.

With EPI, enzyme dose, B12 doses are also very important. Too much enzymes can cause problems. Too little enzymes is of course EPI! B12 can affect digestion, and weight. My vet was again an idiot. Now the he has enzymes, he'll start absorbing the B12. He later realized he was wrong on that.

Also watch folate levels. I have recently learned the importance of that! My dog's folate levels dropped very low. He's been on B12 injections biweekly, so B12 was high range normal. I was told to start a folate supplement immediately. (I started "Active Folate") last week. I was convinced re do of the EPI panel was a waste of money. But now I am happy we did it.

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ursh
Member
Posts: 6
Country: Slovenia
Pet name: Misha
My name: Urska

Re: EPI and Addison's - weight struggle

Post by ursh » 12 Jan 2023, 14:36

Chance, your dog is really lucky to have you. We have also had our share of incompetent vets, unfortunately. Almost to the point where our Misha could die, because they misdiagnosed her Addison's crisis as kidney failure and wouldn't do a test for Addison's event after we asked.
The electrolyte levels of your dog seems just the opposite to Misha's (we should probably be looking at lowering her doses), nevertheless it is very refreshing to hear setting the electrolytes in order helped your dog. How soon after upping the meds did you start to notice improvement in gaining weight?

Chance
Member
Posts: 197
Country: Canada
Pet name: Chance
My name: Andrea

Re: EPI and Addison's - weight struggle

Post by Chance » 15 Jan 2023, 16:23

His next recheck was 2 weeks after that check when told not to up the meds. So it was pretty quick that the weight gain started.

It's so upsetting when you watch the dog go into a crisis because your vets think they know more than they do! My problem wasn't getting them to run the test. My problem was getting them to accept the results!!!

My dog's baseline cortisol levels was "normal". The post stim was low. Post stim number was Lower than baseline. But I got the phone call with the results and was told it was negative! I was gutted. I wasn't smart enough to ask for copies, or even ask what the numbers were. I just blindly accepted that it was not Addison's. (Electrolytes were normal at the time)

2 days later, during Sunday dinner, he collapsed, unconscious. His heart beat was a few beats per minute. How he managed to survive the 30 minute drive to the emergency vet is a mystery. Vet took one look at his unconscious body and said he's got Addison's disease. Me and my stupidity said, no; we just got the results back Friday. It was negative. She asked the numbers, which I did not have. She tried getting hold of my IMS or vet to get info, but couldn't. She asked if she could re run the test again, saying "I'll bet my house he has Addison's disease ". A decision I still regret to this day...but in my mind I couldn't afford to redo tests done a few days ago. I had to use $$$ for the next test. They treated him and got him back. But last thing she said as I was leaving, talk to the IMS again. I still say I'm 98% certain it's Addison's disease.

It was a week later at the IMS, I was still questioning Addison's. He said no, see for yourself; here's the results! I looked at the test. Saw the numbers, and saw the writing in red at the bottom "results double checked. Highly suggestive of hypoadrenalcortism".

I nearly lost it! I was fit to be tied! I said "How in hell is this considered clearly negative?" He said, oh there was a Lab error. They mixed his blood with another dog ". I said how do you know that? What if it's not an error? What if it is all his blood? His face went white, and said "in hindsight, I'd have to say it might be a positive result". I pointed to the red letter statement written by the lab. Needless to say I walked out of that specialist office never to return again.

It wasn't until later that he transitioned to typical (Electrolytes affected).

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