Dear Dr. John,
I’ve a senior canine that’s approaching fifteen. Lately, he has had a run, no pun meant, of unfastened bowel actions and at occasions he has been waking me up in the course of the evening to go outdoors to go to the toilet. Needless to say, I’ve not been getting a lot sleep. There has been no blood in his droppings, and I used to be questioning if this might all be resulting from pancreatitis since he has had it earlier than. He has been on a particular food regimen for a while to maintain him common too. He is a small terrier combine canine that weighs about 15 kilos. My groomer advised that I ask about one thing referred to as EPI. I don’t wish to second guess my vet so I’m writing to see what that’s and if it may very well be the trigger. I wish to get his bowels again to regular and get some relaxation! S.G.
Dear S.G.,
EPI is the acronym for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I don’t suppose it’s doubtless that your canine has this situation as a result of it’s normally recognized in a lot youthful canine, normally earlier than the age of 5-6 years of age. The pancreas has a number of capabilities akin to producing insulin for blood sugar regulation but additionally to supply digestive enzymes.
Dogs with EPI normally current with weight reduction, large appetites, and tender stools that look distinctively pale and greasy. Diagnosis is finished by bloodwork together with a full CBC and chemistry in addition to a cTLI take a look at. Treatment includes supplementing the canine’s food regimen with pancreatic enzymes and applicable dietary administration.
I’m undecided which food regimen your canine has been on however in each pancreatitis and EPI, one seeks to keep away from fatty meals. There are plenty of prescription diets that might be suited in your canine and his situation. As an older canine with a tough bowel state of affairs, he might also require additional diagnostics after parasites have been dominated out together with ultrasound, doable intestinal biopsy, and extra. I’d not hesitate to work together with your veterinarian to do what is required diagnostically together with a doable various food regimen and applicable medicines.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic.He could be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”