Andy and Ravenous Appetite-Maybe EPI

[deborahg]

I was wondering if any of you can point me in the right direction by sharing your experience with pancreatic enzyme powder. For the past week or so, Andy's appetite (which has been good) is increased and it finally hit me that he has all of the symptoms of EPI. This makes sense as he had part of his pancreas removed with the tumor, has history of large volume loose stool and pancreatitis. We are already giving him B-12 injections and we have been giving him Vet Classics digestive enzymes with probiotics (not pancreas specific) and also FortiFlora. All recommendations for pancreatic enzyme supplements seem to be for the powder form and I did find Epizyme from V.E.T. Pharmaceuticals.

The only change that I have made the past week or so is giving him a little pumpkin to firm up his stool which became looser than soft serve after course of Clavamox.

Andy has an appointment with vet tomorrow for labs. Don't want to fast him right now for the EPI test.

 

[Dale]

I have had mixed results using the Pancreazyme brand product. But could just have been the disease was never really diagnosed...just told to "try" it. Sorry I'm not much help on that issue.

But, I do want to congratulate you on giving B12 injections for the EPI. I've been doing some reading up on B12 injections and intrinsic factor (IF). Here's some links I found in case you haven't seen these particular ones:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_multi_vitamin_b12_therapy_for_epi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsic_factor

 

[deborahg]

Thanks for the support. I really see a difference in Andy the day of the B-12 shot. When my vet prescribed the digestive enzyme probiotic power, he put on the label to give 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon bid. Well I just read the label of the company and they have to give it at every meal. Maybe this will make a difference.