EPI Enzyme - Page 2

Janet,

The list owner won't let me join the group cause I don't own the dog.   I had one moderator helping me out but she is not in control of who joins the list.   Thanks for the information though as someone is sending the dog some enzymes....

Karmen

Are you serious,the list owner does'nt have enough brains to see what you are trying to do.Must be a real fkn idiot.Im sorry but there is no excuse for someone like that.Here you are trying to accomplish what unfortunetly others could'nt give a dam about and instead of admiring what you are doing for a sheltered dog living miserably,this idiot  refuses to let you register.Im sure there must be some other way to get these enzymes.What about someone who can have access,can they get them for you instead of you having to join?I cant beleive the power trip some people are on.Just because they own that paricular group that makes them a God.Its to bad someone does'nt start a similar group and give the others an option of leaving there and joining elsewhere.Thats what an idiot like this deserves.I feel bad for you Karm,i hope someone comes through for you and that poor little guy behind bars.

Karmen,,,,,You can try here..   http://www.freewebs.com/enzymediane/index.htm   

I too got a lot of rigamarole in trying to join the group, with someone suggesting that I had little knowledge of the condition and the appropriate treatments. Basically, they almost require name, rank and serial number, and a lot of other information that is superfluous. Is there a reason for that? Perhaps, but in my opinion, yes, the person emailing me was somewhat condescending. Some people requesting to join, like me, probably have more experience and knowledge than most, if not all of the people on the list. I decided to seek another way to find a cheaper alternative. They don't help anyone by turning people off.

Hodie,

Yes, I  felt the email was treating me like I was an idiot on the condition.  Instead of asking my knowlege on the disease it was just assumed I was ignorant of it's severity and then asking if I diagnosed the dog based on symptoms...I have contacted the lady who can get the enzyme cheaper than the vet and hope she will allow me to buy with out me being apart of their list.  I too was asked many questions on this application then denied because I lack ownership.  I worked in vet's offices for 8 years so I have seen my share of EPI plus the research and experience I have done on my own.  Actually I would love it if they would grind up raw pig pancreas for him but that would NEVER happen therefore I need to find the next best thing.  If I had a place that allowed more dogs, he would come home with me. 

Karmen

Karmen,

Good for you and thank you for watching out for this dog. If he can get proper treatment, even without expensive tests that simply give lab values that do little to treat the signs and his condition, then perhaps someone will adopt him. Email me privately if you have any questions. I personally believe that there are a myriad of factors that go into this condition and that the condition stems from a constellation of potential causes. This is why some dogs do well on Prozyme, for example, and it is also the reason some dogs show lab values that don't make sense or return to normal after some time, but treating the signs can create significant improvement in the dog.

I also advocate "first things first" and, of course, there are simple things to rule out first. But, if giving the dog enzyme, either plant or porcine based, helps, then one has a course of action. I get so many phone calls and emails from people wanting to dump their GSD. Some want to do so solely because the dog has a condition like this and they simply are lost about what to do about it (and sometimes so is their vet) and/or, if enzymes have been suggested, they cannot afford it month after month. In my area, there are some (not all) vets who double the price one must pay for the enzyme. That makes a small bottle more than $150 a month. Especially now with the slumping economy, who can afford that? 

Good luck with this guy. I have two I have to treat and have seen many,many such dogs in my rescue program.

Hodie and Karmen:

I just tried to join as well as Molly was recently diagnosed and felt the same way.  I would much rather get the enzymes myself.

Molly started enzymes about a week and half ago and is also on Tylan Powder for Sibo.  Here stools are already better, just hoping her energy level will improve soon as well and hopefully she can put on a few lbs.

I think I am going to try buying Biokase, although I am almost out of Viokase and will have to drop by my Vets today and pick up another supply to hold her until I can start ordering online.  I also have to pick out a new food as I currently feed Royal Canine.  I read where Solid Gold is good?  Just have to figure out if I should just change Molly's food and keep Falon and Libby on the Royal Canin.

I am so glad you are taking care of this dog at the shelter and sure hope the dog gets a home soon.  You are a wonderful person for watchiing out for this dog and fighting so hard to make sure he gets the medicine he needs to get better.

Cheryl

Cheryl

Royal Canin, as much as I like it for normal GSDs and their other varieties for other breeds, is NOT a good food, in general, for a dog with a true enzyme problem. Most do better on a diet that is low fat (below 8% and much less if possible) and low fiber (less than 5%). Foods like this are difficult to find unless they are specialty items supplied only to vets. I wonder what others here use in this case. I am still experimenting and have found a GI blend made by Purina that seems to be doing a good job. But it too is outrageously expensive.

One thing I want to say is that all people should be sure you work on this kind of problem with a competent vet. And do be sure you check over and over for all kinds of parasites. Also be sure the dog does not have a SIBO. And whatever you do, don't be changing more than one thing at a time, and allow at least 5 days between changes, unless the change is causing more problems. Remember a dogs' stool today is from essentially about 2 days ago, at the least, unless they have really loose stool or diarrhea.

And finally, giving enzyme replacement is not without some risk......so know what those risks are.  If used appropriately, they can be a real blessing to a dog.

Good luck.

I was on that board for a bit with my GSD with EPI.  They are VERY particular about what is posted and who can post as well as a what works to treat the condition.

I did but enzymes from them also but now just  buy them myself from the supplier they use:

http://www.americanlaboratories.com

I have been using it for Balur for some time now. 

The shelter should have a blood test done on him to include the TLI test and the other two parameters colbablumin and folate (excuse the spelling here)  it will halp dx all the issues that accomapy EPI and mimick EPI including SIBO.   Texas A&M does the lab work and may agree to do it pro bono as he is a rescue.

Getting him back to health will take some time. 

Hope this helps and please don't be too hard on the EPI gang as they have reasons to be so rude, they worry about lawsuits ect. for posters that slam breeders ect. 

It is unfortunate that those of us that just want to help our dogs and the breed with this condition are at odds with so many.  The greater good should prevail, but such is life.