3 weeks in, will tylosin be the answer?

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.
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angpat
Member
Posts: 44
Location: New Braunfels
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Arnie
My name: Angie

3 weeks in, will tylosin be the answer?

Post by angpat » 27 Apr 2024, 10:51

I feel like I need to trust my gut instinct on my next move but was looking for any feedback. If I leave out details I'm trying to be as concise as I can so this isn't a novel.

We started our journey on April 6 with bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Spent one night in emergency (albumin 1.5, weight 15.65 lbs, IV fluids and a plasma transfusion) and brought him home until we could get to the regular vet. Emergency vet sent us home with Royal Canin HP loaf, Metronidazole, ProPectalin, and Cerenia. Albumin was 1.9 when we left and TLI test was sent off.

Saw our vet 4 days that first week where he got IV fluids. I hand fed him little bits of RC HP throughout the day each day. Mid week the vet kept us on Metronizadole and Propectalin and started us on Sucralfate, Fenbendazole, Famotidine, and LiquiTinic. His poops were watery, yellow, and leaky. He was very tired. We kept him in a diaper all of that week but took him out every hour. He dropped more weight throughout the week, low point of 14.8 lbs. At the end of the week the blood work showed albumin at 1.7, high WBC, Mono, Neu, and Plt counts as well as low RBC, HCT, HGB, BUN, and CREA. He got a B12 shot. We got the TLI test back and it was a 2 so the vet ordered us some enzymes and said he had EPI.

The next week we continued the RC HP loaf and incorporated some dry. We started enzymes on April 16 (Pancrezyme 3/4 tsp per meal). Vet stopped the Metronidazole, ProPectalin, Surcralfate, and we finished the rest of the Fenbendazole. So he was just on Famotidine (which I later figured out was Pepcid) and LiquiTinic. We are doing B12 shots ourselves now every Saturday. His poops were still a yellow puree.

I started him on slippery elm powder after reading all these boards on April 18. He had some poop that was trying to solidify but it went back to either puree looking or liquidy. I called the vet and asked about prebiotics and she said to use some FortiFlora so we added that. He had a blood check Apr 22 and his albumin was 2.1 so headed in the right direction.

Apr 23 he started having farts again, rumbly tummy, and seemed to have a lot of acid reflux. We had finished out the Famotidine and I read about Omeprazole so I went to the grocery and got some Priolsec generic. This has seemed to help. I give 10 mg once a day right before breakfast. Poops still runny, no form. But we weighed him at home and we think he's up to 17.5 lbs.

ALL the reading I've done leads me to think he has SID/SIBO as well and that his antibiotic regime should have been a longer course of treatment. (I forgot to note at one point I asked the vet about neurological effects of Metronidazole because he was doing some weird twitching with his back legs. She didn't seem concerned but it went away when we stopped the med.) So...

I purchased Tylosin powder from Birdpal Avian Products as it was closer to me and quicker shipping than Jedd's. I've purchased capsules that should arrive today so I can make the pills from it. My gut instinct is that he needs the Tylosin treatment to help get his tummy in order. His poops haven't been normal consistency or changed from yellow in the three weeks now since we started. Guess I'm looking to see if anyone else was in a similar situation and this is the protocol that helped. Also, 1/16 tsp for a dog at about 17.5 lbs?

Appreciate this website and forum so much! It has been incredibly helpful in me understanding what we are dealing with!
Our boy, Arnie, is a 6-1/2 year old pug at his time of diagnosis. I'd taken him to the vet 2/29/24 because his gas was awful and he'd lost weight way quicker than his brother on their diet. Pugs love food and tend to get chubby. The vet did a fecal, all was well, prescribed antibiotics and said try some pumpkin. 4/6/24 we ended up in the emergency vet from diarrhea and vomiting. That's when we found out he had EPI and SID. Our journey is just starting and we are trying all the things. This board has been the most invaluable resource along with the website and FB groups. Bless you all for sharing all you know!

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