EPI question - Page 2

If anyone out there has an EPI dog, I belong to an email group that buys enzymes in bulk and it is VERY reasonable. About $130 for 2.2 lbs (1 kilo). There are 2 strenghts available. Email me for details.

Prozyme is a very good enzyme supplement. It is about $20-$22 per pound. If someone is paying $130 for just over 2 lbs, they are getting ripped off. Even buying these kinds of enzymes in a health food store would be cheaper. Prozyme is available over the internet or at a vet. If a vet wants to charge much more than what I quote above for the 454 gram bottle, you are getting ripped off.

I would be curious to know if by possibly giving a dog food with all these additives in them that the body slows down it's production. We have a dog in our Rescue who was raised on Eagle Pack and after he was adopted (at just over 1 year old) became symptomatic with EPI. I know the adopter switched foods at some point.

PROZYME also comes in a different formula with rice starch as the carrier as opposed to lactose in the original one.They will have no problem sending you that application if needed.In respect to Eagle Pack.I have had lenghty arguements with there nutritionist and vet on staff in respect to them not adding LIPASE in the enzyme premix.They claim that because the fat they use is so good it is not needed which has NOTHING to do with the fact that if a dog has a problem digesting fat that will NOT matter.Perhaps the distributor in Germany which is a well known breeder-judge can have a talk with them about this matter.

GS Mom, I think that has happened with other GSD's too. OK on Eagle Pack, not OK on a different food. It might not be a great idea to mask EPI/malsorption disorders and then use those dogs for breeding or to feed a food that will allow an EPI dog to be marketed as "normal" for lack of a better term. EPI is not only a deal breaker for a breeding dog, it also creates a hardship for pet owners although, as Hodie said, it is manageable. I don't know if the blood tests would identify EPI in the dog that's eating EaglePack. Might get a false negative? Not feeding enzymes might be a better gauge of a dog's natural ability to assimilate its food thus it's value as a breeding dog.

Definitely worth getting the tests done. We lost our 5 year old very suddenly in December due to an acute and sudden pancreatic issue, but my vet believes he may have had a more long term problem that was never diagnosed. He was always slightly on the thin side, but never really skinny, he had particpated in shows and was never described as underweight. But he needed more food than our other male. His stools were normal, he ate well and was always apparently healthy with good coat condition and loads of energy, in fact he was rather hyperactive and we assumed this was why he did not put on weight so easily. Until the end he never needed to go the vet except for vaccinations. I really do not know if the damage to his pancreas was gradual until it got to a certain point when things got critical, or if it was an acute inflammation caused by something recent, but from this experience I would say if you suspect anything may be wrong its worth doing all the tests now.

I'm a little confused here. In no way is the amount of digestive enzymes that may be added to any dog food going to make much difference in aiding a dog with real EPI. Better overall digestion, but not medicinal. As to masking symptoms--not likely, and if somewhat beneficial--not for too long, if a real problem exists. Besides, the enzymes that are added to the food are probably plant derived enzymes--which is what comprises Prozyme. When I first encountered pancreatic insufficiency, my vet laughed when I told him I added enzymes to my dog's food. It was so long ago, and I believe I was using Seameal by SG. He said much higher doses would be needed--Lipase, being the key ingredient (to aid in fat digestion). Porcine (whole pancreas) powder is the key ingredient--not plant derivatives. I used Viokase-V, (Lipase...71,400 USP units, Protease... 388,000 USP units, and Amylase...460,000 USP units-per teaspoon).

Blitzen, the TLI test is NOT affected by use of supplemental enzymes, so false negatives wouldn't be an issue with that test. Diane

I believe you are right on the money, LMH. A dog with real EPI would be losing weight whether they were on Eagle Pack or any of the other foods thet contain probiotics. The enzymes do help relieve the intestinal stress somewhat bu would certainly not hide real EPI in a dog. AS to whether those enzymes would alter the TLI results, that's a good question that the lab at Texas A&M could answer. If there is any doubt in your mind, like a said please get the TLI done on your dog but I would have the lab work sent to Texas A&M ONLY for interpreting results. They are the inventors of the TLI and too many other places screw up the readings.

This keyboard has been stepped on by my two furkids several times. Some keys are even missing. Please pardon all of the typos. Diane, I was typing at the same time, didn't mean to come across challenging your view of enzymes not affecting the test.