Dear Dr. John,
I have a senior dog that is approaching fifteen. Recently, he has actually had a run, no pun meant, of loose defecation and sometimes he has actually been waking me up in the middle of the night to go outdoors to go to the restroom. Needless to state, I have actually not been getting much sleep. There has actually been no blood in his droppings, and I was questioning if this might all be because of pancreatitis given that he has actually had it in the past. He has actually been on an unique diet plan for a long time to keep him routine too. He is a little terrier mix dog that weighs about 15 pounds. My groomer recommended that I inquire about something called EPI. I do not wish to 2nd guess my veterinarian so I am composing to see what that is and if it might be the cause. I wish to get his bowels back to typical and get some rest! S.G.
Dear S.G.,
EPI is the acronym for exocrine pancreatic deficiency. I do not believe it is most likely that your dog has this condition since it is typically identified in much more youthful pet dogs, typically prior to the age of 5-6 years of age. The pancreas has a number of functions such as producing insulin for blood glucose guideline however likewise to produce digestion enzymes.
Pets with EPI typically present with weight reduction, big cravings, and soft stools that look distinctly pale and oily. Medical diagnosis is done by bloodwork consisting of a complete CBC and chemistry in addition to a cTLI test. Treatment includes supplementing the dog’s diet plan with pancreatic enzymes and proper dietary management.
I’m unsure which diet plan your dog has actually been on however in both pancreatitis and EPI, one looks for to prevent fatty foods. There are great deals of prescription diet plans that might well be matched for your dog and his condition. As an older dog with a challenging bowel circumstance, he might likewise need more diagnostics after parasites have actually been dismissed consisting of ultrasound, possible digestive tract biopsy, and more. I would not be reluctant to deal with your vet to do what is required diagnostically consisting of a possible alternative diet plan and proper medications.
Dr. John de Jong owns and runs the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic.He can be reached at 781-899-9994.
