Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Looking after the health and welfare of your Schnauzer can be a full time job. You will find information on neutering, spaying, vaccinations, vet visits, upset tummies, Schnauzer bumps and much more here. Ask a question and someone will have had a similar experience. We also appreciate updates on how your Schnauzer is recuperating. A separate section is dedicated to our older Schnauzers.
Post Reply
scotmama3
Puppy
Posts: 5
Joined: 28 Aug 2018, 00:05
First Name: Marlene

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Post by scotmama3 »

My 3 year old schnauzer has recently been diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. She has had diarrhea and weight loss for a month. Because of all the problems with the pandemic, it is slow going to get better dry food for her and the pancreatic enzyme powder that she needs. I was able to get human pancreatic enzyme capsules for her but the dosage is too low and they have other things in them and I am afraid to double the dose. In spite of the fact that the dose is too low, she has shown some improvement. This is my first schnauzer. Is this a common problem?
User avatar
zeta1454
Moderator
Posts: 5136
Joined: 19 May 2011, 16:58
First Name: Leigh
Dog #1: Magic
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 20 Apr 2010
Dog #2: Trilby
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 15 Mar 2012
Dog #3: Pip
Born: 21 Feb 2014
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: North Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Post by zeta1454 »

Hi Marlene, sorry to hear about your schnauzer's diagnosis. I am not aware that this is a common problem with the breed but have read that highly processed food (kibble) can be a culprit and the less processed and higher in easily digested quality ingredients the better.

Gently cooked human grade food can be an alternative or a transition towards raw feeding which can really help many digestive troubles in dogs. If you did decide to move to raw the meat/bone would need to be very finely ground up so best to use specially prepared meals from one of the best raw food for dogs suppliers.

However, given the current situation and if you want to keep her on kibble there are some supplements which may help (if you are in the UK) although there may still be some slight delay due to the pandemic.

Tree Barks Powder from Dorwest Herbs specifically mentions Exocrine Pancreatic Insuffficiency and I really recommend this product for all digestive issues in dogs:

https://www.dorwest.com/product/tree-ba ... gJWwPD_BwE

https://www.dorwest.com/blog/soothe-dog ... ks-powder/

Also a good probiotic which can help improve the gut health and the ability to digest nutrients. Either Yudigest tablets or the higher strength YuDigest Plus powder:

https://www.lintbells.com/products/yudigest-for-dogs

There is an article here which gives more detailed information about the condition although you may already have researched it yourself:

https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/h ... -dogs.aspx
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud


https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/C ... 916994967/
User avatar
zeta1454
Moderator
Posts: 5136
Joined: 19 May 2011, 16:58
First Name: Leigh
Dog #1: Magic
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 20 Apr 2010
Dog #2: Trilby
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 15 Mar 2012
Dog #3: Pip
Born: 21 Feb 2014
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: North Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Post by zeta1454 »

There is another article here which may be of interest. EPI was originally more common in German Shepherd dogs than other breeds but apparently is now being seen in individual dogs of a variety of breeds.:

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/healt ... y-in-dogs/

One raw food that is often ideal for this kind of condition is raw green tripe as it contains the digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria that are needed for dogs with a compromised digestive system. There is an article here re the benefits of this:

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/t ... -on-tripe/

I mention it as someone in our village has a Lakeland terrier who for several years suffered chronic poor absorption issues with food, diarrhoea etc. She was advised by the dog's breeder to feed him raw green tripe and once she tried this the results were amazing. Her dog is fine now. Although this was not a diagnosis of EPI and not all dogs will tolerate a raw diet, it is something to consider as many of the raw dog food companies do sell raw green tripe frozen in trays and it is available in some pet stores too. I realise things are complicated by the current COVID-19 crisis but it does offer options which may be worth looking at for your dog :)
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud


https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/C ... 916994967/
scotmama3
Puppy
Posts: 5
Joined: 28 Aug 2018, 00:05
First Name: Marlene

Re: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Post by scotmama3 »

I finally got the enzymes and a different dry food. The new food has lower carbohydrates and fat and has whitefish as the protein source. She is doing much better and is starting to gain weight. I am also slowly adding steamed vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cabbage to her diet. She has had formed stools for about a week now so I think things are working again. I have read the articles that you referenced but I appreciate that you took the time to look.

I live in the US in a fairly rural area. I may try a fresh diet but now is not the time. I am hunkering down and trying to avoid connecting with a Coronavirus. Hope that is successful.

Take care and be healthy.
User avatar
zeta1454
Moderator
Posts: 5136
Joined: 19 May 2011, 16:58
First Name: Leigh
Dog #1: Magic
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 20 Apr 2010
Dog #2: Trilby
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 15 Mar 2012
Dog #3: Pip
Born: 21 Feb 2014
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: North Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Post by zeta1454 »

scotmama3 wrote: 07 Apr 2020, 21:52 I finally got the enzymes and a different dry food. The new food has lower carbohydrates and fat and has whitefish as the protein source. She is doing much better and is starting to gain weight. I am also slowly adding steamed vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cabbage to her diet. She has had formed stools for about a week now so I think things are working again. I have read the articles that you referenced but I appreciate that you took the time to look.

I live in the US in a fairly rural area. I may try a fresh diet but now is not the time. I am hunkering down and trying to avoid connecting with a Coronavirus. Hope that is successful.

Take care and be healthy.
So glad to hear that things are working better now -that is great news :-bd

Take care and stay safe.
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud


https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/C ... 916994967/
Post Reply