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Pancreatic Insufficiency (38 replies)
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| Must both parents be a carrier to produce a pup with PI?
Asking for a friend.
Regards,
Melanie |
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| As far as I know; yes, both parents must be a carrier of the recessive gene responsible for heriditary PI. I presume since it is a puppy who is affected that it is caused by genetics. In dogs at three-four years of age it can be caused by a diet that is too high in fat.
However, I have read that PI can also be caused by an infection or certain chemical compounds that are present in raw turkey skin. One would think that a growing puppy would have to eat a lot of raw turkey skin in order for this to be a cause.
In my opinion these other possible causes are a long shot since the problem is generally thought to be caused mainly by genetics, diet, or both. |
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| This disorder, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)is the "unspeakable" disorder among top GSD breeders of W. German bloodlines. It is like a leprosy for GSDs. Few breeders who have had it occu in their puppies (especially ones sold) want to talk about it because it is a sinister, parasitical disorder. Like aids, it can have no good outcome in its serious form (pancreas transparency). Because it is polygenic and may have penetrance affected by other genes, it can easily skip generations (even multiple generations), but both parents must be carriers. I'd guess that top kennels want to bury their mistakes rather than talk about the genetics since any recognition and acknowledgement of any such affected progeny from a stud dog is the "kiss of death" to that stud dog's popularity and future use. It is a well known fact by most vets that EPI occurs in GSDs in higher frequency than most other breeds. The way the disorder emerges and develops is truly sinister in its effect on the progeny with it as they "outgrow the capacity" of their pancreas to produce and discharge enough pancreatic enzymes into the dogs digestive system. In mild forms it is a "pain in the neck" for the GSD's owner and extracts a toll from the animals vitality (failure to thrive, unthrifty ie needs a lot of food, dull coat) I think there is a fair shar of "working line dogs" who have this in mild form and just cannot put on any bulk, while appearing as hyperacvtive nerve endings. One of the DX'ing symptoms is a dog that have excessive prey drive, constantly hungry and hyperactive. Videx has a good article about EPI posted on their web site. The LTI blood test is apparently the gold standard for diagnoses. I think it is valuable to test both sire and dam and assume that a borderline LTI score probably suggests that the animal may be a carrier. What is very tough about EPI is that both parents can be completely normal but carry this very bad, lethal gene, similar to bleeding disorders, pituatary dwarfism, aortic arch stenosis, megacolon and mega esophagus, and epilepsy. Scientists at a top university are very close to finishing the complete gene typing locations on water spaniels if I remember correctly, and this should apply to GSDs, too. If this occurs specific gene tests from saliva or blood can be developed to test for this gene in the sire and dam. |
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| EPI is not limited to West German bloodlines. I see it often as well in American and even have seen it in Czech dogs. Though I agree that dogs having this condition should never be bred, there are a variety of things one can do with most dogs who are symptomatic to help the condition. |
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| I think when you say these dogs shouldn't be bred it's too late.
I don't know if EPI runs more in West, East or Ambreds but I had a son of Ursus with EPI in its worse state. A Rikkor son with a mild case that was managable but the Ursus son had to be euthanized.
It's a miserable condition for the poor animal and those who have to take care of them.
Margaret Bradley is making a database of dogs who have this condition and a Yahoo group dedicated to EPI as well.
I'll look up her email address and post it for anyone who wants to help her by adding your dogs that have EPI to the database.
Birdy... |
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| Hat's off to GSDfan for bringing attention to his much under-reported and largely ignored subject. If a GSD has the severe form (pancreas is "transparent or transluscent"), it takes about $200 per month in RX'd pancreatic enzymes from your vet to keep the dog going, and that doesn't work in many cases. Some treat with pig pancreas enzymes sold in health food stores but that can cost up to $100 or more if given in necessary doses with or before the food. Thanks Birdy for the reference to Margaret Bradley and I'll look forward to learning more about what she is doing. The subject of EPI once again sets up the whole issue of how to select truly worthy sires and dams and how to breed them for maximum heterogenity of immune system related genes (5 pairs) while still enhancing the combining of the desired recessives for the desired confirmation and performance traits. That's wh an outcross between two "genetically worthy animals" of similar type is so highly desired. But they must be producers of quality, health and all the desired traits in and of their own right. |
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| I have a 6 year old male GSD that developed insufficiency of the pancreas at 12 months of age. He lost weight rapidly and developed an insatiable hunger. The veterinarian had us try several types of special dog foods that were designed for digestive problems. He insisted that we use special low residue food along with enzymes. The results were horrible.
I decided to start experimenting with various foods and finally tried Dick van Patten’s Natural Balance. This food and Viokase-V enzymes did the trick. He has now been on Natural Balance for several years and it is my belief that he would not survive with any other food.
The Viokase-V is very expensive!
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| Westermarck's research reports that EPI (which he has called Pancreatic Degenerative Atropy--or PDA) "is a disease inherited as an autosomal resessive trait, although the possibility of dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance cannot be excluded."
Williams, Batt, and McLean's studies has have explored the concommitant existance of SIBO (small intestinal overgrowth) and have concluded "that bacterial overgrowth in the duodenum is common in dogs with EPI and that, when such overgrowth includes large numbers of obligate anaerobes, there may be associated biochemical and morphologic abnormalities in jejunal mucosa. Functional disturbances related to abnormal intestinal microflora may be responsible for the failure of some dogs with EPI to respond fully to oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation without antibiotic therapy."
Reading Willis'history of the breed and his discussion of the general unthriftiness and premature deaths of several early pillars of the breed, leads me to conclude that EPI has permeated the breed almost since its inception and has paid no favorites as to country of most immediate origin or to bloodlines.
Louise
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| Our story is similar to the one presented by S Rogers.
Our Indiana vom Wildsteiger Land (Sired by Xenos vom Wildsteiger Land, mother: Nanda vom Wildsteiger Land) was losing 2.5 KGs of weight during severe diarrhoea over the course of two/three weeks at the age of only 3.5 months. Almost completely dehydrated, he survived due to the efforts of the team of the Vet's University of Merelbeke, Gent, Belgium.
(The link towards SIBO was also suggested.) He was placed on a diet of Hill's Prescription Diet "XYZ", I forgot the exact lettercode (canned food, and extremely expensive too, only purchased at chemistries/Apotheker). We later changed to Eukanuba light food. He has since then been kept very skinny, now an adult dog he weighs 38 kg (height: 65.5 cm).
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| wow thanks everyone, great info!
regards,
Melanie |
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| I have a female who was diagnosed with EPI at 14 months old. She will be 8 in August. The Pancreatic Enzyme Powder is costly. It depends on what size. I buy the 8 oz size and it costs about $87.00 from the Vet. I usually buy it every 5 weeks or so.
I don't want to get gross, but people have forgotten to mention is, when there is a bowel movement, it is nasty looking!! PLUS...the smell itself will knock the socks right off your feet! Not a pretty site!
Dawn Bonome
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| For those of you buying enzyme replacements, at least in the U. S., there is one available with which I have had good luck with my dogs in the rescue program. It is relatively cheap. It is called Prozyme. If someone wants to know more about how to get it, it can be bought on-line. No American vet should be charging large sums of money as it is less than about $43.00 for the very large bottle. A smaller container is less than $22.00. There are several other products and basically, they are all the same. Enzymes like this can also be purchased from health food stores in the U. S. if one knows what to look for. I suppose it is possible that sometimes a dog would do better on one brand name than another, but I have always used the product mentioned above with good results.
I have had very good luck with LOW FAT foods, such as Royal Canin Maxi Light 27 which still provides a good amount of protein. This is supplemented with the enzyme powder. By experiementation I have arrived at a suitable dose for each dog. Serious cases usually require at least one TEASPOON per dry measure cup of food, but for some dogs, that would be too high. Also, many dogs seem not to like the taste of the powder, but there are a variety of methods to disguise the taste. I also supplement their diet with yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, etc.
As Louise pointed out, there is often a second problem in these dogs which needs attention. Sometimes it is parasites, sometimes bacterial overgrowth. Only certain bacteria should be present in large numbers in the digestive tract. When it is not functioning correctly, other bacteria which should not, can and do thrive and that makes it difficult to make good headway in resolving the problem. In addition to the enzyme replacement, I also often give other medications. Since I am not a vet and have arrived at these therapies with and without vet assistance, I will simply say that if you have a dog who has EPI you may feel free to email me and I would be glad to share my ideas.
Many of these dogs can be treated appropriately and live long lives despite the condition. Also Birdy is quite right that sometimes the condition is missed or does not get diagnosed until after the dog is bred. But, at least in my experience, there are clues early on that something is amiss.
The bottom line is that if one does not get firm, formed stools from a dog consistently, but rather light colored, foul smelling cow patty like piles, this is a clue. In my experience often vets miss the condition, but, if the stools improve on enzyme replacement and low fat diets, this too says a lot about a sub-clinical case being present. |
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| dogs with EPI shouldn't be bred; they should be selected out of the gene pool; why worry about pancreatic enzyme supplements and headaches... eliminate the problem from the root; spay the dog if you're attached to him/her.
before getting a dog, check on the parents; a german shepherd pup should have insatiable appetite; check for genetic diseases in the ancestors.
several dog food brands wouldn't have to worry about selecting for specific, costly ingredients to fit the needs of genetic misfits; it amuses me to read about the "delicate g.i. system of the german shepherd dog"... whatever..
a gsd should be able to digest anything; feed them raw, guts, tripe, bones... raw veggies... natural... or good kibble in its defect; there shouldn't be any "pancreatic insufficiency problems"
i sympathize with the problem but don't condone it,
kosta |
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| Kosta,
No one on this post has said they approve of breeding dogs with this problem.
Most of us see no need to state the obvious!
Genetic misfits....I may be one of those myself! I promise not to breed, only please do not put me down.
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| Hodie,
Thanks for post about Prozyme. I could not remember that name. Prozyme worked for my male for the first two years and then it stopped working. The Viokase-V was offered by the vet and this is working great. The prozyme should be tried first since it is much less expensive. I did get a better price buying Viokase online. |
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| Melanie, Thanks so much for bringing this up, and thanks to everyone else for the input. I have a dog here that is suspect and had planned to do bloodwork in the near future. After reading this I realized that she has all the symtems except for the appetite, which seems to come and go. But I think that's because she is occatioanally too hyper to stop and eat. I had her x-rayed a couple of weeks ago suspecting an obstuction. I had started giving her Prozyme and am now waiting for it to get out of her system to do the tests for EPI.
Note: They need to be off enzymes for about a week in order to test.
Also, if anyone has trouble finding Prozyme in the US I carry it in my bird store and shipping is no problem.
Thanks again,
Sheri |
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| There are no genetic markers to test a dog for being a carrier or for having subclinical EPI status.
The typical tests (TLI and serum cobalamin and folate) for EPI do not provide a screening device to determine if otherwise "normal" appearing dogs are candidates for inclusion in the gene pool.
Therefore, in the absense of genetic markers and predictive GI function screening tests, there is generally no way to "pre-select" dogs for exclusion as vivable breeding candidates.
For the present, we have no available tests to suggest that we exclude dogs without obvious clinical and verifiable symptoms from our breeding programs.
Hence, we cannot ruthlessly eliminate EPI anymore that we can eliminate usually non-health-threatening conditions such as blues, longcoats, HD, etc. from the GSD breed. To attempt to do so would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
We can only avoid breeding dogs with clincally confirmed EPI. We cannot exclude all of their progeny conceived before the identification for positive parental EPI status.
Louise
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| I am glad this info has helped others.
The pup in quesiton hasn't gotten the test results back yet so we are keeping our fingers crossed. I would also like someone to describe the stool better. I've heard it is mucusy (clear snot looking substance) with loose stool. This pup has loose stool (mushy) but no mucus. She also is a very picky eater and always has been. She's on the thin side but her hip points are not showing. She recently lost about two pounds (7mos old) and has been rather lethargic so the owners had her tested for PI on monday but they won't get the results till next week.
The reason I asked the original question is the owner of the sire is pointing her finger at the owner of the dam, which I thought was unfair if both needed to be carriers. Neither parent have PI and the pup has already been spayed.
Thanks to everyone,
Melanie |
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| Also the vet has her on Eukanuba low-residue food. If she has to keep her on it her owner wants to know if there's anywhere else to get it. She says it costs $17 for a small bag at her vet. If not, I will suggest the other foods mentioned here, however with her digestion problems I'd hate to switch her food again. Prior to the vet switching her she was on Royal Canine GSD 24.
Thanks,
Melanie |
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| S Rogers,
I apologize about my comments; about us humans being genetic misfits, well that's another topic... so I'm not really interested to know whether you're a misfit or not, and your breeding practices... :)
i was restricting myself to dogs, and them not being allowed to be bred; i read the story of your dog; sorry i missed it the first time; I sympathize with your problem; i've had dogs with health problems that i attribute to genetics; i'm a little sensitive on the issue; it all goes back to poor breeding practices and lack of consciousness of breeders.
I guess going to the original problem, most vets would go ahead and follow a trial an error approach with a dog with questionable EPI, with change of diets, enzymatic supplements...
i'm glad van patten worked for you; i tried it sometime with my dogs some years ago, but it was too expensive; i go all natural now; i've been fortunate not to ever had digestive problems with my dogs
kosta
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| For many dogs who have some sort of pancreatic enzyme problem, the Royal Canin Maxi GSD 24 is too rich in FAT. It is the fat that is the problem in these dogs. They can not digest it. That is why switching to the Royal Canin Maxi Light or a similar food with lower fat is helpful.
There are several ways to test for a pancreatic problem. However, in my experience, seeing the stool, and assessing the dog are often all that is necessary to suspect it. If the dog improves on an enzyme supplement that may be all one needs to know. However, as we have already pointed out, sometimes improvement is not seen initially. This can be caused by the bacterial overgrowth issue. If the gut bacteria is out of whack, you may have difficulty in seeing any improvement.
There are several tests. One is a simple one and involves testing the feces for trypsin. A stool without it is almost a dead give away. However, sometimes there is trypsin and additional tests might need to be tried.
I have already discribed the feces. It can be mucous looking depending on what has been fed. However, giardia infection also causes mucous in the stool, so one must be careful to make sure there is no giardia or other parasites present that cause this. Bacterial infection can also make stools nasty.
Again, no one here is suggesting that a dog with any pancreatic insufficiency be bred. However, if a dog ends up with such a condition, it need not necessarily be a death sentence. I now board a dog who I accepted into my rescue program more than 6 years ago. He was about 4-5 at the time I took him. I discovered his pancreatic problem and he is healthy, although a little on the thin side, and happy and lives an otherwise normal life with caring owners. |
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| For many dogs who have some sort of pancreatic enzyme problem, the Royal Canin Maxi GSD 24 is too rich in FAT. It is the fat that is the problem in these dogs. They can not digest it. That is why switching to the Royal Canin Maxi Light or a similar food with lower fat is helpful.
There are several ways to test for a pancreatic problem. However, in my experience, seeing the stool, and assessing the dog are often all that is necessary to suspect it. If the dog improves on an enzyme supplement that may be all one needs to know. However, as we have already pointed out, sometimes improvement is not seen initially. This can be caused by the bacterial overgrowth issue. If the gut bacteria is out of whack, you may have difficulty in seeing any improvement.
There are several tests. One is a simple one and involves testing the feces for trypsin. A stool without it is almost a dead give away. However, sometimes there is trypsin and additional tests might need to be tried.
I have already discribed the feces. It can be mucous looking depending on what has been fed. However, giardia infection also causes mucous in the stool, so one must be careful to make sure there is no giardia or other parasites present that cause this. Bacterial infection can also make stools nasty.
Again, no one here is suggesting that a dog with any pancreatic insufficiency be bred. However, if a dog ends up with such a condition, it need not necessarily be a death sentence. I now board a dog who I accepted into my rescue program more than 6 years ago. He was about 4-5 at the time I took him. I discovered his pancreatic problem and he is healthy, although a little on the thin side, and happy and lives an otherwise normal life with caring owners. |
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| The Ultimate Question regarding EPI: I guess the tough question is should any sire or dam that has been proven (by clinical signs & lab tests)to have produced any progeny with EPI ever be bred again? If EPI is an autosomal recessive as many researchers believe, then both parents are carriers and probably shouldn't be used (unless the dog is so exceptional and irreplaceable for many desired traits that one has to find bitches with longproducing records suspected and believed to be non carriers, and vice-versa). If EPI is a dominant gene with incomplete penetrance then, it is much more difficult to ascertain which is the carrier, sire or dam, since the occorence is low %tagewise. I believe that it is an autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance, ie masked by other recessives and thus appearing in intermittent generations, although most resarchers do not accept this concept, recent findings on junk DN & RNA (approx. 80+% of the genetic material bear this out--see subject of Dark DNA). My Vet believes that subclinical cases marked by unthriftiness and failure to bulk up (as seen in a significant number of working line dogs marked by constant pacing due to insatial prey drive from unsatisfied hunger)will show us as a low TLI blood test. I believe that positive gene location identification and testing for EPI and many other "lethals" is coming for sure and what a great day this will be. You can imagine just how much more valuable the high V-rated (non-VA rated Stud Dog will become if he turns out to be completely free of any of these "lethal genes", even if he ranks just below V and is a producer of good confirmation, or just how valuable a VA Stud could be if he just happens to be free also of these "lethal genes" and is producer also. I can assure you this will be only a few of all the top V and VA rated dogs. |
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| S. Rogers which Dick van Patten Natural Balance Formula do you use with dog who has the EPI?
Does the dog ever get an ovvasional flare up?
Dawn Bonome |
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| Typing error:0)
I meant to ask, do any of your dogs get an occasional flare up?
Dawn |
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| Yes, he does get an occasional problem which requires antibiotics for a few days. I look for a real loose stool and start the antibiotics(Cephalexin 500 & Metronidazole) before other symptoms appear. The other symptoms are a skin rash and weight loss. The vet gives him Metraphrin Bolus if he is in really bad condition. This has only happened a couple of times.
We have noticed that stress seems to bring on the problem. Such as when we board him at a strange facility or if he is around a female in season.
The Natural Balance formula is the Ultra Premium Dog Food. They offer other formulas that have not worked as well. The Viokase is also required in our situation. We feed with water and let the Viokase soak for 20-30 minutes before feeding. We do not give him any other treats or foods. |
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| Birdy, thank you for letting people know that the GSD EPI database exists! The database is under construction and will only be worthwhile to breeders and buyers if enough people tell the truth and register their EPI+ dogs in the database.
Once the database is ready it will be available for public use online. The database will show the EPI+ dog, his parents (who are known carriers), grandparents (at least one is a known carrier), and any linebreeding within the first 5 generations.
The database is allot of work, but well worth it if you help to build it by registering dogs known to be EPI+ or are known carriers of this horrific disorder!
You can help by sending an e-mail to me at: margaretmbradley@sbcglobal.net . I will work with you to get the necessary information so that we can make this database worthwhile to future of our beloved German Shepherd Dog.
Please send the EPI+ dogs full name and registration number along with an official pedigree showing the full names and registration numbers of the parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and confirmation/proof from a veterinarian that the dog being submitted truely is EPI+. This information is required for the EPI+ dog to be entered into the database. This information can be sent via fax, scanned and attached to an email, or sent by regular mail.
The German Shepherd Dog needs your help and you can do that by helping to make this database worthwhile!
Thank You!
Margaret Bradley |
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My dog was recently diagnosed with EPI, I'm really confused about the cost to treat a dog with this condition. My vet and this website suggest it's expensive, yet a person from ghe GSD rescue says its cheap. I have the option to receive a replacement pup from the breeder I got my dog from and am trying to determine if I want to keep my current dog or get the replacement. Can you please shed some light on your experience with your dog? |
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My male was diagnosed at about 1 and 1/2 years of age. He also went down to skin and bones. He became so weak his back legs would collapse. It took months of tests before I became aware of what was wrong with him. GSD people are the ones that helped me get him diagnosed. My vet wasn't even looking for EPI, he also has SIBO and IRS.
For those buying enzymes from a vet, you are paying much more money than needed.
There is a yahoo group called K9-EPIGlOBAL, this group has a huge amount of info and help available for those new to EPI:
This is the link: pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/k9-EPIGLOBAL/
You can order enymes from them here: www.k9-epi.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
I pay about 130.00 for a kilo of enzymes. I also use a probiotic to help stabilize his SIBO.
Timberwolfs Organics has worked wonders for me. It tooks months of different foods before I got his poo back to normal.
He is now the picture of glowing health.
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My two year old has finally, fingers crossed, begun gaining slowly with Eukanuba Sporting. I hope it lasts longer than the last food. I had her on Innova Evo and it helped for a while, at least she was maintaining. Then she dropped and couldn't get her back up to mid 60's. now she's 66 and I'm hoping.
I get my enzymens from the yahoo group and it is a Godsend. |
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I order Pancreatin 6x USP Powder for my dog, from American Laboratories. You do not need a prescription from the Vet, and it is cheaper than buying the Pancreas Powder from the Vet.
www.americanlaboratories.com Phone Number is....1-402-339-2494
Dawn |
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I have a 4 yr old GSD that was diagosed with EPI at 9 months of age. He went from 90 pounds to 75 pounds in under 2 weeks before we got it under control. Now, at 95 pounds he is still lean, but healthy and has a beautiful coat. The breeder "didn't understand where it came from" as HIS dogs were EPI clear. Right, like I believe that now.
Anyway, there is a generic replacement to Viokase-V. It is called Biokase-V and is about half the cost. You can check different websites to see who carries it in your area or you can check with your vet.
Biokase-V along with a low-fat, low-fiber diet has kept my boy healthy and strong. Good luck. I hope it works for you.
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Dawn
That's the same one the Yahoo group supplies. They buy it in bulk and split it up, sort of like a coop. I think it's even cheaper than by-passing the vet and going directly to manufacturer. |
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I just got a request for info about feeding/treatment for EPI from one of "those" customers... You know the ones. They call and waste your time, time and again for months/years, make appointments to come inspect your puppies, never show up, try to haggle over price, ask for advice about litters from other breeders, and finally buy a puppy from somebody else for a couple hundred less than what you ask... end up with an unhealthy dog, and then want YOU to help them some more after the fact.
I will, of course, but only for the sake of the poor puppy, lately diagnosed with EPI. They have the puppy on Pancreatab-Plus, now want to know what to feed her. Frankly, I don't know, but I'm betting its going to be expensive. So much for saving a couple of hundred dollars on their initial investment. I didn't bother to ask about health guarantees because I don't want anything to do with whatever business goes on between them and the breeder of the puppy. I'm betting they're out of luck.
I sent the owner a link to some of the messages on this board regarding EPI, including this one, requested they send info to the EPI dB A and M is creating for the good of the breed. I also advised them to buy stock in paper towels and Nature's Miracle. Obviously it doesn't bother me if they read this post.
Idiots...
SS |
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I also heard of using beef pancreace ground up but haven't checked on price to see if it is cost efficent over enzyme powder |
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You can purchase the enzymes VERY cheaply at any health-food store for a few bucks a bottle. My last american line gsd had pancreatic insufficiency (among other things) and I switched from the expensive vet--supplied supplement the second I read the label in the health-food store and realized it was the exact same thing for a fraction of the price. |
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A good few years back a friends dog was eventually diagnosed as having PI, that's what we knew it as then and the medicine was very expensive.
Her dog lived till he was almost 13, without prescription medication. Once every couple of months, she'd visit the abattoir and buy pigs' pancreas. Once she'd got the dossage sorted, the dog never looked back!
He had to have some every day, which meant buying lots of the stuff and keeping it in the freezer but it wasn't expensive. |
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I, too had a dog with EPI. You must be very careful regarding advice about this. It is true that you can buy digestive enzymes at any health food store (dog or human), but, the important thing to note here is that you can only buy Plant based digestive enzymes over the counter. This may be what your vet is selling you and if it is working great! This probably means that your dog has a mild case. In more severe cases your vet has to prescribe porcine (pig pancreas) based digestive enzymes. The animal based work much better if your dog has a more severe form of EPI. These are some of the previous mentioned products like Viakase. If you are using this do some homework. There are now much cheaper alternatives like Pancrezyme. It is the same stuff as the Viakase, but, much cheaper. I was buying a big bottle of it from my vet that would last about 2-1/2- 3 months for about $100. The key to using these powders is that you have to sprinkle the powder on the food and then soak the food in warm water for about 20-30 minutes.
As Ghostly previously mentioned getting raw beef pancreas from your butcher or slaughter house works extremely well. This is especially true if you are feeing a raw diet or modified raw diet. Green tripe is also invaluable as a food source if your dog has EPI.
Go to: http://greentripe.com/ then look in the products section and scroll down to Beef Pancreas
The other thing that should be pointed out here is that some of the dogs that have this in a mild form will actually be able to go off the digestive enzymes after 6 months to year. For some reason using the digestive enzymes will jump-start the pancreas and it will start producing them again. This seems to be the situation when a dog suddenly gets EPI at an older age instead of growing up with it.
If you are going to use kibble with your EPI dog I would highly suggest that you look at Wellness Core Reduced Fat. 33% Protein and 9% Fat. Just what the doctor ordered for EPI dogs.
I hope this helps! |
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| I bought Viakase at health food stores, too. Also much cheaper than through the vet and the contents was exactly the same. |
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