Our 2 yr. old has Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

[butmanj2000]

Abbey was diagnosed with EPI today. I have come to grips with the fact that she will need to take this with every feeding for the rest of her life. The vet gave us an 8 oz bottle of Pancrezine for 100 bucks and told us to put a teaspoon in each meal and to feed her 3 times a day. Doing the math, that becomes 200 dollars a month as each 8 oz bottle contains 48 doses.
To say I am a bit disheartend is an understatement. I love our girl like one of our kids but adding that to the cost of her Wellness Core it will cost 300 dollars per month just to feed her.
Does anyone know of a less expensive source for this medicine?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Heidigsd]

I am so sorry that your Abbey has EPI, it's a horrible illness

Nikki uses two 12 oz bottles of Viokase per month so I feel your pain but her insurance takes care of hers.

I would suggest getting your enzymes from Diane, that should save you a lot: Enzyme Diane -

I would also keep daily notes on what you are feeding, how much enzymes, poop quality, etc to see what's working and what's not. We have been doing this for over two years now and it helps a lot.

I would like for you to join and read through this group, a ton of great info, it helped me so much when Nikki was first diagnosed: Forum - EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Also, if your vet didn't do this already, I would get her cobalamine/folate checked because most EPI dogs have SIBO and often they need B12.
Serum Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) and Folate - Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Good luck
Michaela

[huntergreen]

i am very sorry you have to deal with this.

[RascalsMomSue]

I have an EPI dog that we've successfully managed the past 4+ for about $30 per month...actually Lexi is now at the point where she needs to lose a few pounds . We use pancreatin from the Vitamin Shoppe which is $21.99 for a bottle of 300 pills (I've recently been experimenting very successfully with raw pancreas...she now gets 75 g of ground raw pancreas and 2 pills per meal). For the time when we do not have raw pancreas Lexi gets 8 pills per meal, crushed and added to her food which is then moistened with warm water and allowed to sit for 15 minutes (need to be sure the food does not contain citric acid as a preservative....most EPI dogs do better on grain free foods). Because the enzymes can be caustic we give her about 1/4 cup of plain, non-fat yogurt following each meal.

Good source for raw pancreas is Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow https://www.hare-today.com/. They do ship but sometimes the pancreas can be back-ordered. Other folks get enzymes from Enzyme Diane Enzyme Diane - there is a ton of good info on her site as well.

Good luck. This is definitely a manageable illness and does not have to be as costly as it may appear at first.

Please be sure though to ask the vet re: Vitamin B12...some dogs need it, some do not.

[Rerun]

Another vote for enzyme diane. I have been using her for many years.


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[Renofan2]

PanaKare Plus Powder - Allivet - 877-500-9944. (12 0z $99.00 includes shipping) I have also switched to raw and am feeding pancreas as well. Molly has been digesting the raw much better than the kibble with enzymes. Molly is 7 and was diagnosed at age 2 as well. I found a lower fat food digested better since epi dogs have trouble absorbing fat.

[Billn1959]

Our GSD Molly has had this for 12 years now. She maintains her weight at around 90 lbs. Not unusual for my spouse and I to discuss poop consistancy. Just a way of life.


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[butmanj2000]

We found a less expensive source for the enzyme called K9 Enzyme. It is US made, has higher concentrations of the 3 main ingredients, and costs 135 bucks for 2.2 lbs of the powder. Had my vet look it over on the Internet and she gave me the go ahead. I am relieved that we can live with this and get our Abbey girl back to good health. She needs to gain at least 10 lbs but personality wise, she seems to be getting back to her usual fiesty self. Thanks to all for the advice.

[carmspack]

you need to add prebiotics . you need to add minerals , trace and micro , which are the spark plug without which enzymes are handicapped .

[Heidigsd]

you need to add prebiotics . you need to add minerals , trace and micro , which are the spark plug without which enzymes are handicapped .

Interesting...could you post the research on this please. Would like to take a look