mychip1

Just an update. I had a vet that comes to the house for my cat look at Reagan as well for another set of eyes - to decide if it was time to make the decision as I was seeing no improvement beyond a little initial bump with the viocase. She agreed with diagnosis, and wanted to at least go all out before I made a decision and put him on Predinisone, metrondionzole, and Pancreate - which is also an enzyme. Her own dog had EPI and didn't respond to viocase, but did to pancreate. Just like with the viocase, the first week or so looked good. Less, and more firm, poo....but still no weight gain, still has massive pyka issues, and poo is degenerating again - probably because he's eating everything in site - and it all passes right through, i.e. paper towels, coffee filters, bottles of dressing that he opens and eats, etc. He's also started to get growly again with the other dogs which had subsided for a week or two as well. Unfortunately, both vets have agreed that despite his tail wagging and playing with toys, his quality of life is not good given his appetite and weight. It's a hard decision when they are still upbeat and playful - but the bottom line is that he's starving to death.

Best wishes...sounds like you've got yourself a pretty "normal" greyhound - whatever that means in our world! If she figured out stairs that fast, agility might be the way to go. I was just wishing today I had done that with Dustin. He was the slowest of my hounds - completely failed racing and never got past schooling races, but he launches around the yard like a gymnast and he's the one who mastered stairs faster than any. My JJ could run - but he still, seven years later, runs up the stairs like he's scrambling to survive - as opposed to Dustin who lightly touches each foot on each step. Enjoy your hound!

Thanks, Cricket

OK. Thanks!

I'm actually going to try yogurt for him... I'm Armenian - and my old grandmothers always believed that the cultures in yogurt cured all digestive ills. I do have a butcher I could get raw from - and have thought about feeding him pancreas. I would rather get it from the website you suggested though - if they can do the packing and transport. Thank you!!!

We had an ultrasound - that did not show anything...but they indicated there is a unique cancer that can inhabit the lining of the intestine that the ultrasound would not have shown. The only reason I am hesitant to think it's that is that he has stabilized a bit on the meds....he hasn't gained, but he seems to have stopped losing weight - and has less episodes of raw spots on his skin.

Possibly of an intestinal cancer, but biopsy would require sedation and I'm not sure he could handle it.

The last paragraph of that first article is where I feel I'm at. I realize that I could try ten different foods with ten combinations of dosages for enzymes, but it seems futile as the changes I've made when I have tried - even taking him off meds totally and putting him back on have showed only minimal progress.

My vet had me switch to a prescription diet - but there was no change - if anything worse. I put him back on the Regal adult bites that JJ eats. I read things that say no grain - but then some people say it made no difference.

So Reagan hasn't gained weight and the amount of poop is disproportionately large and almost unmanageable. I don't know what to do. He eats four meals a day w enzymes. He is sometimes playful and happy, but other times is just ravenous and aggressive snapping at my other hounds So Reagan hasn't gained weight and the amount of poop is disproportionately large and almost unmanageable. I don't know what to do. He eats four meals a day w enzymes. He is sometimes playful and happy, but other times is just ravenous and aggressive snapping at my other hounds

Curious of outcome?

Don't feel badly if you have to return - but I do feel badly he hasn't found a home - and it doesn't sound like the group is all that credible. I hope the best for you and him.

Enjoy poking around. You won't be disappointed if you get a grey!

How did you make out?

I'm so sorry....what a sad way to welcome you to greytalk. Just know that our hearts are with you.

Too bad you can't adopt another....I agree about giving him as much quality time as you can.

Oh gosh...that had to be gross!!!

Interesting. The stool was the one place I saw some improvement. I have also noted that he no longer appears to be losing weight (so I guess that is a positive) - particularly since I added the probiotic to him. He's about four weeks into this....so in response to CMC 333...maybe it just needed more time.

I am seeing no improvement after two weeks on enzymes.

Thanks for sharing. I haven't switched him to raw -but may need to......

Because I have another hound with Intestinal issues, I feed four small meals a day to all of them. reagan doesn't get the gurgles like that hound. But the other dog definately benefits from the extra meals.

Thanks, Jen! Bev...that's how it is here....yes...it's a competition as to who will grab what first.... and the feces thing is a challenge in the yard! Given Dustn's IBD, we have metronidiazole around here all the time. I'll watch for diarrhea or blood.

Thanks so much for the responses....I feel better that I have direction as to why he's so skinny...

Yes...don't give up on the breed....you are correct that most are low maintenance....but, yes, SA can be an issue because of their social upbringing. My first one was the easiest going, perfect dog....

Thanks, Beverly. I saw you pop up in an older post when I searched EPI...so happy to hear from you. Thanks for the input. The ravenous behavior is unbelievable. He pulls things off counters...like coffee cups, bottles of olive oil, etc. he eats everything....plastic, paper, etc...I have to lock everything up...I'm terrified he will eat something toxic. I saw the raw pancreas option....I wondered how tough that would be to do....lol Did your dog live a healthy full life?