EPI question, anyone feed raw pankreas? - Page 1

I have a diagnosed EPI dog (via TLI test) and have been using Panakare+ (pancreatic enzyme concentrate of porcine origin) for about 2 years now.  I am considering moving to a raw diet for him and have been advised that raw pancreas provides the same enzymes and is a perfectly acceptable replacement.

As the EPI supplements are quite expensive and must be mail ordered, I'd like to consider the raw pancreas for 2 reasons: hopefully lower cost to offset going raw and ease of access (can be purchased at butcher shop).  I'm also hoping that it will as good, if not better for the dog as it is natural, not processed.

I'm planning on keeping the Panakare+ around for situations where the pancreas is not available and would be closely evaluating the switch initially to ensure that the dog continues to receive nutrients from his food after the switch.

My questions are:

Has anyone with an EPI dog used raw pancreas and if so would you please share lessons learned - such as storage, serving size, frequency...

Is beef pancreas ok, or does it need to be pork/swine?  The supplements are made from pork, but I don't know if there is a reason for this. If one or the other is preferred, which? 

What cost are you paying and how has availability been?

Thanks a lot!

-Calvin

We had a girl with EPI and we used the dried format from the vet and fed kibble - we did however manage over the course of a year to wean her off the enzyme completely and she then spent the rest of her life on dry food

My one concern about feeding raw is how can you manage the amount consumed.  With capusules/tablets etc it is easy to ensure that a dog is getting enough - how can you do that on the raw system.

TRY THIS

www.ellsbury.com/cheetahfaqs.htm

HOPE YOU FIND IT HELPFUL

I am not a raw feeder myself, however I read somewhere that if raw meaty bones are soaked in Apple Cider Vinegar it will help aid the digestion. Also that ACV contains 19 out of the 22 minerals essential for health in dogs and it also contains natural malic and tartaric acids which help inhibit unfriendly bacteria and fight toxins in the body.

Sorry I don't know anything about the natural feeding  of raw pancreas.

Kindest regards.

  Hi Calvin,

You can use either beef or pork, but you want to be sure your butcher knows what the pancreas is, and has an adequate supply and has a healthy supply. I have never been able to find a consistent or healthy supply, even from butcher shops in my area. In fact, normally, they did not even know what it was!

Usually one starts with about 1/4 lb of tissue per meal. It should be fresh for best results.

I have a dog here that I must give enzymes too as well and I use the Butler product, the PancreaticPlus powder. It works very well. Tablets are normally not as effective simply because of the form. I get it at cost, but it is still expensive. The human supplements found in health food stores are also the same and sometimes are cheaper, but you have to experiment a bit with the right amount and when I have time to do so, I may try that. There is also a listserve devoted to EPI and last I knew, someone was buying supplement in bulk and re-selling. I don't know if that is true or still happening.

I am always surprised that by now the costs have not come down as this can be done by recombinant DNA work. Of course, if you have a sympathetic vet that does not double the cost of the replacement, that too helps. Finally, and I am sure we have already discussed this, the diet you feed is VERY important. Low fat is the main thing to remember. I don't do raw for a variety of reasons, so I look for very low fat content in kibble. Then one must find out what the dog needs in terms of fiber content. I have some friends who have tried raw for this condition without much better results and just found it more convenient to stay with an appropriate kibble. You might have better luck. I also give the dog here a metronidazole with each meal, lowest possible dose, and that helps a lot too.

Good luck and feel free to email me privately if I can provide more help.

Sharyn

There is a Yahoo group which deals specifically with EPI dogs.  They are a great source of info.  You are able to purchase your enzymes through a member for a really reduced rate.  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/k9-EPIGLOBAL.   

Hare Today also sells ground beef pancreas.  A friend of mine uses it with great success.    http://www.hare-today.com/

Good luck!

Hi all,

Thanks for the advice.  I've found out some additional info on my own.  The pankreas is considered a inedible portion of the cow and actually requires a special federal permit or license to sell and even then each organ (as in individual) must be released by a US inspector - or so I was told today.  I called a local processor who is in high regard with the local free range cattle raisers and this is what I was told.  The person further stated that they would be slaughtering beef this Friday and would have the organs inspected (I guess an inspector is scheduled to be on site...) at that time and would sell them to me for $2-3 a Lb, which is what they sell the other internals (heart, etc) for.

-Calvin