[melholly]

Good evening ,




A few might remember my postings a couple of months ago re: Chester, our choccie lab who we had just bought from another family. We were having problems with housetraining, odd behaviour etc. After lots of vets to-ing and fro-ing and a scary drop in weight he's sadly been diagnosed with Canine EPI at just 14 months old. Basically his pancreas doesnt have enzymes to digest his food so despite us shovelling food into him, hes essentially going through starvation. We are so saddened. Treatment doesn't appear easy or straight forward as he has other complications potentially. Our vet is going to go through options with us.


Just wonder if anyone's come across this before?


Mx

[happygolucky]

Never heard of it...I shall look it up.. poor dog and poor you 

[happygolucky]

Just read a bit and they recon it is genetic and usually appears at around  the age  4....most common in German Shepherds...funny (well not so funny) my eldest daughter was having  a similar problem due to major stress and her mal absorption of food etc, she is on a strict diet and has re thought her life style.

[funkyfish]

Yup most dogs do well with Tryplase added to their food, but its not cheap... Good news is as its a food supplement so you can get from online pharmacies easily. There is a new supplement out as well, can't for the life of me remember what its called tho.

[happygolucky]

I just hope the news is all good.....I hate to hear about poorly things

[Mammyshaz]

It is expensive but easy supplement treatment for EPI but what are the other issues? They may exaggerate the problem or be hard to treat themselves due to the poor gut absorption that EPI causes if medication would be taken for them.

EPI is hereditary and was at one time very common in german shepherds but many breeds can get it. Working breeds seem to be more likely in my experience. It is usually picked up reasonably young. I would say four years is old to be diagnosed. Nowadays it is less common due to reasonable breeders breeding it out of the lines.

In my early days working with dogs we would advise owners to buy fresh pancreas from the abattoir. It worked much better than the food supplement alternatives ( gosh am I really that old  ) Unfortunately it cannot be bought that way now. Haven't heard of any new method as funky fish knows about, worth asking
your vet about it.

Good luck with him, not nice finding out any problem withyour dog without finding multiple things 

[shygirl]

In my early days working with dogs we would advise owners to buy fresh pancreas from the abattoir. It worked much better than the food supplement alternatives ( gosh am I really that old  ) Unfortunately it cannot be bought that way now. Haven't heard of any new method as funky fish knows about, worth asking
your vet about it.

would it be worth feeding whole rabbits/poultry with pancreas included? or just the pancreas itself?
terrible to hear of a young dog being ill 

[Mammyshaz]

With the amount of dogs carrying and passing salmonella due to eating raw poultry I would never advise it. risk to human health is too great IMO.

I'm also guessing the amount needed would be greater than that of small mammals on a daily basis . I cannot remember how much or whether pig, sheep or cow pancreas it was so long ago that it was stopped.
May be worth looking into even with medication as it may help as a supplement.

[doganjo]

Strange thing is it's not a test required by the KC, only hips, elbows and eyes.  So breeders must have reduced the incidence over the years because I do remember hearing of it quite a bit way back in the 70s and 80's.  I haven't heard of a case in the last 10 years though.  I know a number of the top show Lab Breeders in the country, and would hear if it was still common.

I remember a friend telling me a few years back of some Management regime, so I googled and found this if it's of any help.
http://www.globalspan.net/epi.htm#Management

I hope you can give him a reasonably comfortable life.

[sabrina]

I lost a Irish setter when he was 8 months old in the early 80's . Our vet at that time could not save him. We only found out after a pm what his problem had been. It was heart breaking for our whole family, I have not heard about this condition for years.

[happygolucky]

I was wondering why its not a KC test .......well hope it is on the decline !!

[Lync]

  Hi


Just seen post as been very busy!  Out Border Collie was initially diagnosed with EPI as a pup following many many tests and even visits to Bristol Vet School!  Turned out in the end that he seems to be a carrier for campylobacter and although we have the odd relapse it is under control and he is doing well - now 8 years old.   Did a lot of research into EPI at the time.  Do hope you are able to get your dog sorted and if he has to be on treatment that all goes well.  Be interested to hear how you get on.  If I can be of any help or you want to chat please pm me.  Best wishes  Lyn

[melholly]

Hello everyone,


Sorry I've not got back to anyone. It's been a torrid time. We had to have our lovely Chester put to sleep at 14 months old a few weeks ago. Heartbroken but am pleased he no longer suffers.


He was put on Lypex - synthetic enzyme for the EPI but he didn't respond brilliantly but he wasn't a well dog at all and he suffered kidney failure one night. Our vet was brilliant and so supportive, knowledgable and understanding.


He was KC regged and I vet checked him etc when I bought him but I have told his previous owner and strongly recommended he contact them.


Thanks for all your replies though.


Mx

[shygirl]

sorry for your loss, big shame when they are so young 

[doganjo]

Hello everyone,


Sorry I've not got back to anyone. It's been a torrid time. We had to have our lovely Chester put to sleep at 14 months old a few weeks ago. Heartbroken but am pleased he no longer suffers.


He was put on Lypex - synthetic enzyme for the EPI but he didn't respond brilliantly but he wasn't a well dog at all and he suffered kidney failure one night. Our vet was brilliant and so supportive, knowledgable and understanding.


He was KC regged and I vet checked him etc when I bought him but I have told his previous owner and strongly recommended he contact them.


Thanks for all your replies though.


Mx

All Breed Clubs have a Health Coordinator - and I am sure the Labrador Breed Council will be pleased to receive information from you.
http://www.labradorbreedcouncil.co.uk/web%20pages/Health%20Sub%20Committee.html