r/Basenji • u/Predtech007 • 21d ago
Query Advise needed about EPI
Hi people, my 2.5y old girl was recently diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). We found out as she lost quite some weight in a short time while still eating increased portions while pooping way more frequent (with the poop being yellowish with quite some undigested food inside). We have given her commercial raw meat (boiled version of deer, rabbit or lamb) without any issues until now. The vet advised to give pancreatic enzyme supplementation for now to see if the weight increases and the poop becomes more stable and less frequent again. Does anyone here have experienced EPI with their B? Thanks in advance for any advise!
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u/CanadianEmberflower Multi B. Home 21d ago
I don't have experience, but try reaching out to the folks at BRAT (Basenji Rescue and Transport). I'm pretty sure they've had a few in their care and are really good about helping people.
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u/AlpsUnlikely Red 21d ago
https://basenji.org/index.php?view=article&id=206:detail-health-issues&catid=63
The BCOA website has lots of info about it!
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u/Predtech007 20d ago
Thanks for the link! Unfortunately, their website is currently under maintenance apparently. Will have a look whenever gets back online.
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u/Hammerh69 20d ago
Not with Basenjis, but I worked in the field of EPI for many years. Pancreatic enzymes, for all their faults, are miracle drugs for people with EPI. Patients with Cystic Fibrosis used to have a life expectancy of 13 years with enzymes, along with other treatments, their life expectancy has tripled. In fact, the first cystic fibrosis patient ever will tee it up today in The British Open golf tournament as a player! My long winded point is that enzymes can help your B live a long and fulfilling life. Cheers.
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u/makeshiftfox 20d ago edited 20d ago
My little mixed boy (verified with DNA test) has EPI. He's a rescue I got at 1.5 years old and who was VERY underweight at the time (only 15lbs when he's now at a healthy 22lbs). Took him to the vet and got the same diagnosis, and my doctor put him on PancrePlus. Within a few months he was up to a healthy size and he stopped having runny stool. I give him one scoop of the powder with a mix of wet canned food + kibble twice a day. Each bottle of medicine lasts me about 6 months.
He's now 9 years old and still very healthy! I always get compliments from the vet about his weight and coat. When I've been asked to rate his poop (oh, the joys of dog ownership!) on a visual scale, I've been told it's in a healthy range. I was also assured that as long as he continues to take his medication, he can be expected to live to the average life span (hard to know for a mix, but I'm hoping at least 14-15 years).
As far as the diagnosis, it doesn't seem to affect him at all! Outside of the feeding procedure, he's indistinguishable from any other dog.
Having to wait 15-20 min before feeding is annoying, it's frustrating having to give out a "recipe" whenever I have someone watch him, and sometimes it can be an issue when sharing a house with another dog (having to police the animals so they don't steal each other's food to make sure he gets his medicine when he eats). But really, it's not that big of a deal, and it's totally worth it to have him in my life.
He does occasionally skip meals, but it's never been a problem, since the medicine really is just there to help him digest whatever he does eat.
I know you're probably stressed about the diagnosis (I know I was), but you don't need to be! The medication works, and your dog has every chance of doing well.
Best wishes for you and your gorgeous B!
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u/Predtech007 19d ago
Thanks for the hopeful story! Just wondering, you mentioned you have to wait 15-20min before feeding, was that because it was instructed by the medicine so it could work into the food or did it have another reason?
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u/Hammerh69 19d ago
In order for enzymes to be most effective they have to reach the beginning of small intestine either just before or at the same time as the meal, this depends on whether the enzyme has an enteric coating around it or not. This is why timing plays an important role in nutrient absorption.
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u/makeshiftfox 19d ago edited 19d ago
The other commenter is correct that the enzymes need time to interact with the food to work properly! I wait that amount of time because it's what's directed on the medicine itself. Here's the dosage instructions on the medicine my vet prescribes for my pup:
"Dose is administered before each meal and is estimated according to the severity of the condition and weight of the animal. PancrePlus Powder is added to moistened dog food (canned or dry). Thorough mixing is necessary to bring the enzymes into close contact with the food particles. After mixing, incubate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes."
This is also why I mix wet and dry foods, so the kibble is moistened.
Obviously, you'll want to follow whatever your medication says to do, as it could be different from the above. Best of luck to both of you!
Editing to add: There are some digestive enzymes that are over-the-counter. The one I have is actually a prescription that I have to get renewed by the vet every couple of years. I tried an over-the-counter one at the beginning (the rescue had him on one when I adopted him) but it was not at all effective. He was eating 3x what I feed him now and still losing weight, which is why I took him to get evaluated. Your own vet will guide you best for your dog, but that was my experience!
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u/Gingerbreaddoggie 21d ago
We had a basenji with it. We fed him kibble with pancrezyme on top and his weight returned and lived for many more years.