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04-26-2010, 09:38 AM | #1 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Windsor, ON
Posts: 1,271
| EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) Just trying to make everyone more aware of EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) in dogs. My Deegan was diagnosed a year and a half ago. Feel free to share this info with your vets. Here's a great link with infor courtesy of Nicole, aka TLC. EPI in Dogs EPI - Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Help remove this suffering from all our canine friends. Help our breeders positively identify the EPI carriers so as not to perpetuate this disease. Help maintain quality breeding programs. Help prevent the heartache that families have to endure when faced with this disease Untreated or misdiagnosed dogs with EPI, will either die a painful death by starvation or organ failure. The Disease EPI is an exocrine pancreatic insufficiency disease. The pancreas has two major functions (1) endocrine: to secrete hormones/insulin (2) exocrine: to secrete digestive enzymes. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the inability of the pancreas to secrete the necessary digestive enzymes, amylase to digest starches, lipases to digest fats, and trypsin and proteases to digest protein. When these enzymes are not available to help digest nutrients, the nutrients cannot be used by the body. The body in essence starts to starve. In addition, due to the lack of proper digestion of nutrients, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is usually accompanied by structural and functional changes in the tissue lining of the small intestine that further impairs nutrient absorption called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Symptoms Gradual wasting away despite a voracious appetite Eliminating more frequently with voluminous yellowish cow-plops (sometimes grayish) Eating their own stools, or other inappropriate substances Increased rumbling sounds from the abdomen Increased passing amounts of flatulence Some dogs do not show any typical signs Some experience intermittent watery diarrhea or vomiting These symptoms are not exhibited until 85% -90% of the pancreas is destroyed. Testing A trypsin-like immunoreativity (cTLI) blood test (Texas A & M University labs are most widely used) will show the dog's ability to produce digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, amylase). The normal range is between 5.0 35.0. The dog must fast 12 hours prior to blood test. cTLI tests range approximately $100. Treatment Treatment of EPI may be regulated after some trial and error with enzyme replacement. It is usually necessary for life. Most dogs with EPI respond well to pancreatic enzyme replacement with every meal, antibiotics to reduce the SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) condition and a change in diet to a low fiber and some cases also a low-fat diet. Raw diets are also being met with success. Grains need to be avoided. Not every vet recognizes the symptoms or realizes that breeds other than GSD can have EPI. Misdiagnosed, these dogs eventually die a painful death. Many are surrendered out of frustration or euthanized because of enzyme expense. But there are other reasonable alternatives! For EPI Support Contact the EPI Global Group community: k9-EPIGLOBAL@yahoogroups.com Where does EPI come from??? Previously EPI was suspected to be caused by autosomal recessive genes. In preliminary data from November 2008 research at Texas A&M and Clemson University it is now strongly suspected that EPI is not autosomal recessive but rather more complex, having multiple genetic and environmental factors. A larger study is currently underway at these universities. With EPI traits may vary in degrees of severity and symptoms may be exacerbated by physical or emotional stress. What we can do! There are most likely unidentified carriers everywhere and in every breed. At this point in time we can only test to confirm an EPI diagnosis, so it is imperative that we identify the genetic markers and stressors to eliminate this horrible disease. A large research study is underway at Texas A&M Medical University along with Clemson University in SC to identify the genetic markers. They are working with the latest technology, SNP, to handle the complexities of multi-loci genes and working with EPI. The following scientists, known for their expertise in EPI is conducting a breed-specific study with the German Shepherd Dog since EPI is most prevalent in GSDs hence, more data is available for testing. Once the GSD markers are identified, other breed markers will be easily noted. EPI is surfacing everywhere - - if we dont get a handle on this, all of our dogs will be at risk. If you have a GSD, please consider being part of the study, contact Dr. Leigh Anne Clark at: lclark@cvm.tamu.edu or visit EPI Research For more information about EPI: Visit: EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - Overview or EPI Research Fund for further information about this devastating disease and how you can help. The Researchers Keith Murphy, PhD, Prof & Chair of Genetics, Dept of Genetics & Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson SC. TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine 2004-2005 Grant for PAA from the CHF: Murphy, K.E. and L.A. Clark (Co-Is). Analysis of a candidate gene for pancreatic acinar atrophy in the German Shepherd Dog. Canine Health Foundation. Leigh Ann Clark, PhD in EPI Research Ass't Professor, Dept of Pathobiology Dr. Clark studied under Dr. Murphy for her PhD and continues to work with him. She received the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine Fisher Institute Medical Research Award, 2004, for her dissertation, titled: Transmission genetics of pancreatic acinar atrophy in the German Shepherd Dog. Kate Tsai, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist in the Dept of Pathobiology Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Jφrg M. Steiner, Med.Vet., Dr.Med.Vet., PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA Associate Professor with the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences And with special collaboration of: David A. Williams MA VetMB PhD Diplomate ACVIM, ECVIM-CA honored developer of the cTLI test
__________________ Jayde, Deegan & Trooper ~Be the change you wish to see in the world - Adopt a rescue pet~ |
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04-26-2010, 09:51 AM | #2 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Windsor, ON
Posts: 1,271
| ENZYME DIANE - Home This is the site from where I purchase the enzymes for Deegan's food. When he was originally diagnosed the vet was selling me Prozyme, which is ok, but it's a plant based enzyme, and the dosage they told me to give him was WAY too low - not to mention was costing me $100 per month! Dogs do better on meat based enzymes, which is why I purchase in bulk from Enzyme Diane. She'll give you dosage and her prices are unbelievable! I bought a 1 kilo bag from her and I've had it for 17 months now with a bit left to go for $160!! The main thing is to feed the proper food for this disease. Deegan's been on Iam's Intestinal - Low Residue. I know it's not on the Whole Food list, but it's what's best for his case. The general rule is to mix 1 tsp of enzymes for every cup of food. I make a batch of food at a time, mixing his enzymes in warm (not too hot cause the heat will kill the enzymes) water. I disolve them, and them mix in some canned food, then add the kibble. Let sit on counter for 20-40 mins, stirring occaisionally. You have to let it sit at room temperture for the enzymes to soak in because putting in the fridge too soon will kill them enzymes too. When it's time to feed him, I scoop out his portion and microwave it for 13 seconds just to get it to room temp.
__________________ Jayde, Deegan & Trooper ~Be the change you wish to see in the world - Adopt a rescue pet~ |
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