Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

TCBoomer · Dec 15, 2006

Anyone have any experience dealing with this? My 1yr old GSD was recently diagnosed with this EPI deal. It's been about 5 or 6weeks since the symptoms were first noticed, but now that she's getting the enzyme supplement 3X's a day, she's almost 100% herself again...I say almost...because her weight is still lacking and her appetite is literally UNREAL!! It's so bad at times, that she's even launched herself straight up and snatched a sandwich right out of my wifes hand while she was taking a bite... my wife was standing up at the time!

My GSD was 80#'s at 11 months, but now, 6 weeks later she's only about 50-55#'s. Her weight loss has stopped, but trying to put the weight back on seems to be a losing battle. Maybe I just need to be more patient?

Any suggestions on how to increase the weight? Her diet right now is boiled chicken and rice with the supplements, but we're thinking of introducing a cup of dry food back into her meals.

What can I expect for the long term? Can I expect her to live a somewhat normal life for say...10-12 yrs?

Is there anything else to be concerned about as a result of the EPI?

Thanks for any tips or suggestions you can offer...

Dusty · Dec 16, 2006

This is one of those threads that go beyond normal posting limits, because of complexity. Here is a link to a veterinary site that gives good information and will help you to understand more about the disease. I wish that I could help more, but it wouldn't be ethical for me to comment further. I hope that your dog responds to treatment and that with proper treatment and diet her weight will return and all will be well.
Dusty