Do dogs with EPI need special food?
The type of food an EPI dog responds best to depends on the individual EPI dog. Some respond best to raw food diets, However, many EPI dogs do well on commercial food, especially if the kibble or canned food is low fiber (dog food companies have coined some of these foods as “grain free”. Grain free is a misnomer.
What food do you feed a dog with EPI?
Whether you feed dry, canned, home-cooked, raw, or any combination, there are many other ingredients that may be added to provide additional benefits for EPI dogs. Most EPI dog owners add coconut oil and/or wild salmon oil to their dogs' diet.
How can I treat my dogs EPI at home?
Is it possible to treat EPI? Highly digestible, low fat diets together with pancreatic enzyme replacement (Viokase®, Pancreazyme®, Pank-Aid) will usually stabilize the condition. Cobalamin (vitamin B12) supplementation may be considered by your veterinarian when hypocobalaminemia is documented.
What foods should you avoid with EPI?
Taking enzyme supplements allows most people with EPI to eat a diet with normal, healthy fat levels. When choosing meals, remember not all fats are created equal. Make sure you're getting enough essential fats. Avoid highly processed foods and those high in trans fat, hydrogenated oils, and saturated fat.
Are dogs with EPI always hungry?
A dog with EPI, although eating copious amounts of food, is constantly hungry becoming undernourished and can literally waste away. Without proper treatment, the EPI dog can suffer greatly and even die a painful death from malnourishment, starvation or organ failure.
How do I get my EPI dog to gain weight?
We recommend feeding an underweight EPI dog 150% of the recommended amount of food for the dog's goal weight. This is easier on the dog's digestive system if it can be spread out into 3 or even 4 smaller meals than 2 larger meals, if you can work that into your schedule.
Can dogs with EPI have probiotics?
Probiotics. Probiotics have an important role in managing your dog's EPI and helping balance his gut bacteria. Feed your dog probiotic-rich foods like fermented veggies … or give high quality probiotic and prebiotic supplements.
How can I help my dog absorb nutrients?
Prebiotics and Probiotics may help with nutrient absorption. Prebiotics are non-living fiber. They nourish the probiotic bacteria found in the gut and intestines of our dogs. They stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the colon which in turn can improve dog's overall health.
Does EPI shorten a dog's life?
EPI dogs can continue to live a full life and do all the activities they did before, EPI, in and of itself, when treated , does not shorten a dog's lifespan, The key is successful management. Pictured to the left is Maia. Maia, now 7 1/2 years old, was diagnosed with EPI when she was about a year old.
Can Dogs with EPI have treats?
One question that comes up over and over with newly diagnosed cases of EPI is “What treats can my dog have?” Unfortunately, treats should be eliminated until the dog is stable, meaning good poops consistently for at least 3 months.
What vegetables are good for dogs with pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a common but tricky disease when it comes to dogs....But with their go-ahead, these are some healthy treats you may want to sprinkle occasionally into their meal plan:Apples.Bananas.Strawberries and blueberries.Carrots.Broccoli.Green beans.Cucumber.
Can probiotics help with EPI?
Probiotics may be an especially good idea if you've been taking antibiotics, as they may help replenish the beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract that the antibiotics may have killed off along with the harmful bacteria that caused the infection.
How much pumpkin should I feed my dog?
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of canned pumpkin is usually good to add to the food for EPI dogs, especially if the grain free does not seem to be working as well as you think it should… it might mean that your dog needs a little bit of the right kind of fiber and pumpkin is a good fiber to start with.
Do dogs need fat?
Bodies do need fat, but sometimes you have to be careful what type of fat is given, especially if there is also a concurrent condition. With an EPI dog, it is usually (but not always!) the fiber content that when low, the dog does better . If using commercial foods…try using foods with 4% or less fiber content.
What is an EPI in dogs?
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Dogs. If a dog's pancreas isn't able to produce enough digestive enzymes to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, the dog may develop EPI, which…. impacts a dog's GI system, disrupts the absorption of nutrients,
How old can a dog be to get EPI?
While we usually see the signs of EPI before a dog reached four years of age, the onset of EPI can happen if a dog is subjected to chronic pancreatitis that has destroyed over 90% of the functioning acinar glands. This was hinted at in his complete blood panel results; the EPI test confirmed his condition.
What is it called when a dog's pancreas is inflamed?
Pancreatitis develops when a dog's pancreas is inflamed and isn't working correctly. It's seen in overweight dogs, older dogs, and dogs fed a high-fat diet. I only saw a couple of the symptoms listed below in Rodrigo, and I thought it was just his digestive issues acting up.
What does it mean when a dog eats his own poop?
Dog eats his own poop (coprophagia) Increased gas and tummy noises. Occasional diarrhea and vomiting. Increased anxiety, fearful behavior. On the left is the normal stomach. pancreas, and intestine in a dog or cat belly. On the right is the same organs in a dog or cat who has exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Can a dog have EPI before 4th birthday?
Most cases of EPI develop before a dog reaches his/her fourth birthday. And 70% of the cases of EPI are seen in German Shepherds and 20% are seen in Rough-Coated Collies. However, other dogs can develop the condition and older dogs can develop EPI or pancreatitis.
Is raw food good for EPI?
The reason I believe that a diet of raw is best is that it's easier to digest and the nutrients are readily available for absorption. But raw isn't the cure to EPI. Since my dog's pancreas isn't providing the necessary enzymes, I need to add them to Rodrigo's diet in the form of food (pancreas) or supplements.
Can dogs eat pancreas supplements?
Pancreas Supplements for Dogs. When it comes to EPI and other digestive disorders, feeding a raw diet can be tricky for some and a lifesaver for others. I recommend working with a holistic veterinarian who is experienced in raw feeding if your dog has underlying health issues.
What to feed a dog with EPI?
The last thing you want to do is to make your dog’s digestive tract work harder than necessary breaking down ingredients of questionable value. The general recommendation is to feed a diet that is low in fat and high in carbohydrates and protein. Fats are harder to digest than carbohydrates and proteins, so this makes sense, but in my experience there is no one best food for dogs with EPI. Some dogs seem to do better with a little more fat than you’d expect, others need a little less protein, and so forth.
Why do I get EPI?
Most cases of EPI are caused by an abnormal immune reaction. This reaction attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes while leaving the ability to produce insulin intact. An especially severe or chronic case of pancreatitis can also be to blame.
Can dogs with EPI eat protein?
Some dogs seem to do better with a little more fat than you’d expect, others need a little less protein, and so forth. What holds true in all cases, however, is that dogs with EPI should not eat foods made from low-quality ingredients that offer a questionable balance of nutrients.
How many times a day should I feed my dog with EPI?
If possible with your human family schedule, when first diagnosed with EPI, it seems to help if the EPI dog can be fed 3 to 4 times a day, …temporarily. Depending on the breed and size of dog, feed (an example) 1 cup of food each time with 1 tsp of powdered enzyme, or equal amount of enzyme potency in another form.
What is the best meat to eat on an EPI diet?
Meats that can be used include: beef, chicken (remove all skin), pork (not cured pork!), venison, lamb, and fish such as salmon and jack mackeral, etc.
What to do if EPI does not work?
Once an EPI dog is stable, the goal is to (1) reduce the amount of enzymes given to the smallest dose possible without causing a flare-up (2) feed as much of a normal balanced diet without causing a flare-up.
Why do dogs incubate food?
Another reason for “incubating” is because some dogs simply just do better when the meal is incubated. No matter how you decide to prepare the food, it is imperative to mix powdered enzymes with enough moisture to thoroughly mix well in the food, just not swimming in liquid.
How long after eating can you give enteric capsules?
In a few cases, giving the enteric coated enzyme capsule about 5 minutes after a also works, but the other methods are usually the preferred methods.
What vegetables should I feed my dog?
When adding vegetables, the better digested are the very finely ground (or mashed) and thoroughly cooked. Veggies such as the “root” vegetables, like sweet potatoes (better than white potatoes), turnips, beets or carrots are “usually” well tolerated. Vegetables that grow on the ground are also good like squash or pumpkin. Broccoli, green beans, etc are also good to mix in, however, as with anything else, the tolerable ratio will vary from dog to dog.
Is grain free dog food a misnomer?
Grain free is a misnomer. You have to be careful and read the ingredients; check ingredients, portion of ingredients and nutritional analysis. Often the “type ” and “ portion” of fiber the manufacturer is including in the food is important in how well your dog will tolerate the food.
How to treat EPI in dogs?
EPI is treated (even in conventional medicine) using pancreatic enzymes to compensate for your dog’s own lacking enzyme production. Porcine enzymes in a powder given with food are considered the best. If your dog doesn’t tolerate pork well, there are also beef-based or plant enzymes. The powder must be “incubated,” which means you add it to your dog’s food moisten the powder, and let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 60 minutes before feeding. Otherwise the enzymes can cause mouth bleeding or sores. If that happens, reducing the dose usually resolves the problem.
What vitamins are in EPI dogs?
According to Merck Veterinary Manual, over 80% of EPI dogs are deficient in cobalamin (vitamin B12), and some also may lack nutrients like zinc or vitamins E or K. 2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
How to heal gut in dogs?
Next, support gut healing with food: Feed probiotic-rich foods like goat milk or coconut kefir (2 Tbsp per meal for a medium sized dog) or fermented vegetables (start with a pinch and work up to 1 to 3 tsp per day per 20 lbs of body weight).
Why is my dog not eating enough food?
EPI And Other Digestive Diseases In Dogs. There are several conditions that can cause your dog not to absorb nutrients properly from her food. When that happens, it’s called malabsorption. And it’s a serious problem. Food is what gives your dog a foundation of good health.
Why does my dog have a nutrient deficiency?
Because the condition stops food from being digested and absorbed properly, your dog can experience nutrient deficiencies. Dysbiosis is an imbalance of bacteria in the microbiome (the community of microbes in the body), with too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria.
What happens if a dog has EPI?
Dogs with EPI will usually seem ravenously hungry, always desperate for food, eating poop or other inappropriate things. They’ll lose weight despite eating everything they can, and eventually in a weakened state they’ll become lethargic and lose interest in activities.
What causes a dog to have IBD?
The causes of IBD are not well understood but may include some of these factors: Immune system disorders. Food allergies or intolerances, possibly triggered by vaccines that contain the proteins your dog is allergic to. Parasitic infections.
