Penny Puzzle

It's been a while since I have posted to Pen's blog, but it hasn't been for a lack of activity.

While at the veterinary hospital for a full day to be spayed, Pen's vet started to tackle the chronic soft stool issue we had been having with Pen, which was resulting in her inability to gain weight. We initially thought it was her heat cycle, and we then thought it was food allergies. But changes in food made minimal and sometimes no difference, and the soft stools continued after her heat cycle ended.

Fortunately for Pen, our vet, Dr. Hezel of the Pacific Animal Hospital, decided to test Pen's pancreatic health to determine if insufficient production of pancreatic enzymes was resulting in Pen's inability to digest food and therefore diarrhea and weight loss or the inability to gain weight. When the test provided evidence of EPI, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, we were saddened by the diagnosis but relieved to finally have a direction to pursue with her. But the bad news was that one type of the medication used to treat her condition is expensive and could be a life-long commitment with her.

Pen will require either prescription medicine, pancreatin, or raw, natural pancreas with every meal for the future and perhaps for the rest of her life, as well as quality, low-fat food. However, the pancreatin is a low-cost solution, and the natural pancreas is an extremely low-cost, natural, and healthy solution. With proper management, she can live a full and otherwise healthy life, and administering the medication consists merely of mixing it in with her food and letting her food sit 15-20 minutes before feeding. EPI is seen mostly in German Shepherds, but I would encourage those of you dealing with similar issues in your own dogs or your foster dogs to ask your vet about testing for pancreatic health and enzyme production.

Although we're still experimenting with her medication to determine the proper dosage, we're seeing improvements not only in her stools but also in her energy level, weight, and overall happiness. To see her tail, which stayed tucked between her legs for the first several weeks she was here, alive and wagging with joy is a wonderful thing.