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Leo is relapsing (Again). It might be time...
As some of you know, Leo has EPI (Google for the explanation). Its very hard to treat-he'll go months where he gains weight and does ok on the medication (Pancreas supplement) and then Bang! He'll lose all the weight it took him months to put on in just a few weeks.
We've been battling this since Dec. 08, when no one could tell me what was wrong, and after hours of internet research *I* asked the vet to test for EPI, which-ding-ding-ding! he had. I am still pissed at the vet for being so incompetent, and putting my dog through all kinds of tests and medications that were unnecessary and cost a fortune.
Oh-and as soon as our pet insurance found out it was EPI, they dropped us. Bc it was a genetic condition. Did I mention I loathe them too?
We've had relapses before, but this one is worse. I feel like we're back at square one: he's having to poo every hour, and I feel like it won't be long before its more than that. He's losing weight again too.
I'm not going to lie-dealing with this AND a human baby AND going to work and running a household is exhausting. I'm starting to wonder if we're delaying the inevitable? Ultimately, this disease causes a dog to literally starve to death, even though he is eating ravenously. As the disease progresses and they become more emaciated, they get aggressive with food bc they're, well, starving. I can't let it get that far with a baby in the house, and I don't think he would want us to let him get there either.
Lastly, this is just ONE MORE REASON to never, ever buy a cute little puppy in a pet store. Leo was a rescue, but he was almost certainly originally bred by some backwoods douche in PA who wanted to make a fast buck, and bred two GSDs with this gene.
I'm really sad-I feel like I've failed him. I'm going to try to adjust the supplement again, but I don't know that it will work this time, and frankly, I don't know that I have the energy to go down this road again.
Thanks for letting me vent 
Re: Leo is relapsing (Again). It might be time...
Learning to start all over again... Blog
awwwww I am so so so sorry Rebecca --- the pet store DH and I go to (Healthy Pets NW in multnomah village) has a girl who works there who is EXTREMELY knowledgeable about EPI --- she had a German Shephard with the disease as well --- we talk to her every time we go in about Trixie because she raises rabbits, too....one day she started talking about EPI and I told her how I had a friend with a dog with it, too...I know you've done tons of research, but maybe it would help to talk to her? I'm not sure what her name is, but if you called and asked for the younger girl with dreads that works there, they'd know who you were talking about...or I can stop in and find out her name. The store is a holistic store which is awesome.
Also...have you tried feeding raw yet? I swear it cured our Coco, she had the big D about 8 times a day for almost the whole first year we had her, then when we switched to raw it magically went away.
I know this is such a tough tough decision and I am so sorry you're going through this...it must be so terribly hard; I'm sorry
You poor thing!!! Please let me know if there's anything you need!!
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Hi Daisy,
Honestly, I think I'm an expert at this point. Leo was allergic to the standard treatment (see my post on P&CE) so I actually am using a people supplement from Australia. I swear, Leo has the worst possible case I have ever heard of.
We tried just chicken and rice for awhile, but it was cooked. Raw won't work for EPI dogs, bc it takes more enzymes to break down the meat from what I hear. Before he got sick, he was on Evo, and I think thats close to raw.
He's been eating just rice and lean chicken for the last few days, and its not working
. They can't have any fat, just protien and carbs. No fiber either. So pretty much just chicken and rice. The California Natural was the only food that didn't exacerbate all his other allergies, and usually when we found a good supplement level, we could go back to kibble.
I think we'll just have to wait and see this time.