In this piece, I’ll be discussing the subject of “Is EPI Common In German Shepherds?”, and I’ll do my best to cover as much ground as I possibly can in terms of content.
EPI has been reported in many breeds, but it is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs). In GSDs, the
underlying cause
of EPI is
pancreatic acinar atrophy
(PAA). A characteristic of PAA is selective destruction of the
digestive enzyme
producing acinar cells.
German Shepherds: What causes EPI in German shepherds
What is the most common cause of EPI in dogs? Pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA) is the most common cause of EPI in dogs. PAA is primarily a genetic disease that leads to a dog’s immune system destroying the cells in the pancreas that make digestive enzymes.
What are the symptoms of EPI in dogs?
Symptoms:
What are the usual signs of the condition? Young adult dogs are often affected and have chronic diarrhea or very soft, bulky, fatty looking feces,
excessive appetites
, occasional vomiting, and
gradual weight loss
over a period of months.
Life Expectancy: What is the life expectancy of a dog with EPI
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.
German Shepherd: How do you treat an EPI in a German shepherd
Once EPI has been diagnosed, treatment most commonly consists of supplementing your dog’s diet with a
pancreatic enzyme replacement
These
enzyme supplements
come in a powdered form which may be mixed with food. Also, if your dog is undernourished, vitamin supplements may be necessary.
Can a dog with EPI have treats?
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.
Are dogs with EPI always hungry?
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 much does it cost to treat EPI in dogs?
Dogs:
The current options for owners who have dogs with E.P.I. can be expensive. A 12-ounce bottle of powdered enzymes can cost about $200 and often lasts less than two months, depending on a dog’s size and the dosage.
Epi Eat: What foods can dogs with EPI eat
If using dry kibble or canned food, start with foods made with potato (sweet) or tapioca as they appear to work better with most, although not all, EPI dogs.
How do you treat EPI in dogs naturally?
Dogs:
Probiotics. Probiotics are an
important aspect
of managing your dog’s EPI and helping balance her gut bacteria. Feed your dog probiotic-rich foods like fermented veggies or give
high quality probiotic
and prebiotic supplements Prebiotics help feed probiotics and make them more effective.
Dogs Epi: How do I control my dogs EPI
Treatment. Most dogs and cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can be successfully treated by supplementation with pancreatic enzymes Powder is more effective than tablets, capsules, and especially enteric-coated products.
Can EPI go away?
Epi:
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) may be managed, but it cannot be cured EPI is treated by a combination of lifestyle changes and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
Shorter Lives: Do dogs with EPI have shorter lives
Conclusions and clinical importance:
long-term prognosis
in canine EPI is favorable for dogs that survive the initial treatment period. Although there are few predictors of good RIT or long-term survival, severe cobalamin deficiency is associated with shorter survival.
Epi Poop: What does dog EPI poop look like
There are several symptoms you may notice in a dog with EPI including: Chronic diarrhea: The stool will be a light yellow or clay collar and have poor consistency. Increased appetite: Your dog will appear to be hungry all the time. Your dog is not digesting properly, and his body will not detect a ‘full’ feeling.
Survival Rate: What is the survival rate for dogs with pancreatitis
Despite raised awareness of, increased knowledge about, and new diagnostic tests for pancreatitis, the mortality rate in dogs is high, ranging from 27% to 58%.
How do I get my dog to gain weight with EPI?
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. 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.
Citations
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency-in-dogs
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency