What triggers dog EPI?
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.
At what age does EPI start in dogs?
between six months and six years
EPI can occur in dogs of any age, but signs are usually first seen between six months and six years of age (Hall et al., 2003).
How long can a dog live 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.
Can a dog recover from EPI?
EPI Treatment There is no cure for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency at this time; however, there is a treatment available which will allow your dog to return to a normal life. The treatment of EPI often includes the recommendation of an enzyme replacement.
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.
What is the best dog food for EPI?
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 happens if EPI is not treated in dogs?
If you feel that your dog or cat is eating voraciously but not gaining weight or losing weight, if your pet has any vomiting, diarrhea, change in stool color, or change in appetite, please see your vet as soon as possible. Pets with untreated EPI will become extremely sick and can starve and die, even while being fed.
Are dogs with EPI in pain?
Without proper treatment, the EPI dog can suffer greatly and even die a painful death from malnourishment, starvation or organ failure.
How often should you feed a dog with EPI?
3 to 4 times a day
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.