advice for EPI dog - Page 2

In the UK, there is a company that supplies already prepared and frozen pigs pancreas, which is used widely apparently with dogs with this problem. They are Albion Meats Lts of West Bromwich West Mids., I have heard amazing stories of successful results and no medication required. Mo Lakin Mascani

I struggled for years with my girl with EPI. I found the powder form of the enzymes worked much better than the pills. Also, you have to let it sit in the food for 20-30 minutes to predigest before you feed it to the dog. Low fat food is key, and also smaller meals more often, as to not overload the digestive system with too much at one time. For training treats, I used the freeze dried liver or sliced turkey dogs into nickle sizes and nuked them into dehydrated type treats. The green tripe is great, but boy does it stink! Good luck. Heidi

Thank you all for the advice. It will be very helpful. I do use the powder form of the enzymes as the pills were not strong enough. I'm looking forward to trying the Solid Gold food. The Hill's Prescription Diet is $60 for a 40lb bag thru the vet, so it will be cheaper for me!!!!We just got back from a tracking session and he did awesome. His trainer said he is a natural tracker, so we should have alot of fun with him at home. I used the hot dogs, so we'll see how his tummy handles them. Thanks agin for the input.

The problem with using fresh swine pancreas is one of availability, unfortunately...unless one has easy access to (a) their own pigs, and therefore the internal organs of those pigs, or (b)a small slaughter facility that doesn't have an established market for their swine pancreas, it's hard going. Most swine pancreas is purchased by the companies that manufacture pancreatic enzymes, so this is not an organ that typically gets tossed away that way lungs or spleens are. That said, if one had an EPI dog, and could get hold of even a limited amount of swine pancreas, I suppose that could be cut into very small pieces and used for laying a track...at least it would be a beneficial tracking bait, which one can hardly say for the hot dogs that are so commonly used! ;)

Since I have a dog recently diagnosed with EPI,I have been contacting many slaughterhouses in my area to obtain the fresh pig pancreas. The general consensus is: I can "have" all of the pancreas I want as they throw it away, however- I have to go through the USDA to get "permission". I am working my way through literally hundreds of sub-departments of the USDA to try and get to the one source I need. I may just have found that person locally, so I am hoping to make contact very soon. Not the most pleasant task I imagine working with fresh pig pancreas- but certainly well worth the effort, considering the cost of the enzyme (even generic) is formidable. But, one has to do whatever it takes.

If you contact American Laboratories, you can purchase the powdered enzymes from them directly. This is the human form of the enzymes so it does not require a prescription. It is exactly the same as the veterinary form. When you purchase 5 kilos or more it is less than $93.00 per kilo. Shipping is only around $12.00. A kilo is 357 teaspoons, so due the math and figure how much you would need. The enzymes have a 2 year shelf life, so it is well worth it. My vet charged me $100 for 12 ounces!!!!!!!!!

If the plant is throwing it away, all they have to do is 'tank' it in denatured charcoal, under the supervision of USDA-FSIS inspectors in that plant. They may ask you to sign a disclaimer that states your intentions for the material does not include any use by or for humans, but you shouldn't have to go all through the USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service to get 'permission'.

Wow Hexe! That sure sounds easier. Maybe they just gave me the "USDA thing" as a runaround, if they didn't want to be bothered. Probably figured that by the time I cut through all the red tape, I would give up! LOL NOT!!!!!!!! Klakoning- what a bargain- I just paid $140 for 12 oz!! at this rate I will have to give up ALL my vices!