Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.

Where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough of the proper enzymes to digest food completely. Leads to messy sudden bathroom issues.

We’ve got our pup on some enzyme replacement, probiotics and a strict diet and it seems to be going ok but any tips would be appreciated.

We’ll have more vet visits and such as well. It’s a lifelong incurable issue but manageable.

Thankfully care has come a long way. I had a GSD that had it and was diagnosed about 18 years ago when it was still very rare and almost only found in German Shepherds and Collies.
Texas Tech is a big reason for the better treatments and enzymes today as the were doing a big research study. Lots of my Lilli’s blood was sent there.
At the onset I was sourcing pig pancreas from different slaughter houses (which was difficult) but enzymes were about $600 a month.
Strict diet (rice, green beans, pumpkin), enzymes, and Vitamin D injections kept her alive.
She was 82 pounds before getting sick, dropped to 45 pounds before we figured out the issue after going to 5 vets in 3 states. Best we got her back up to was 60 lbs but she stayed closer to 55 lbs.
Lilli through it all was a great dog but sadly her life was spent in the garage and outside. Her poop was so putrid and she had zero control she just could not be in the house.
For the longest time had to use prescription only enzymes and the cheapest they ever got was about $400 a month. Started becoming over the counter over the years and prices came down. Lilli passed 8 years ago and we were using Enzymes from Enzyme Diane. Had to use the 8x powder so we were around $200 a month or so.
Hopefully things have come even farther in the last 8 years so life is much easier for your pup. Lilli was the best dog who got stuck with a crap life even with us doing all we could for her.

My current GSD/Great Dane mix has EPI. He turned 9 a couple of months ago. I will admit it has been a bit of a roller coaster ride at times. He has flare ups which bring on loose stool and it takes a week or so of antibiotics (metronidazole I believe) to stabilize him. We buy enzymes from Pantenex. Available directly from their website. The owner of the company actually spent quite of bit of time with my wife on the phone when he was first diagnosed as we couldnt get the dosage right for him. Luckily our vet's office was familiar with the disease and we figured it out before losing him. He went from over 100lbs to about 60.
If you need any info you can email me directly and I would be glad to answer any questions.

Like black said, things have come a long way since I got out of vet school 25 years ago. At first I had to use expensive human meds, now we have multiple options aimed at dogs. The key is to work with your vet and figure out what works best for your kiddo. It is not a one size fits all treatment type of disease. Once you get it figured out,most stay stable for long periods of time.

Tommy

According to my Vet, it's rare that cats get it, but one of ours did. He called in a specialist (Dr House -- no, really!) who came to our Vet's clinic and did the tests and diagnosis.

He prescribed PancrePlus tablets with every meal, and we get them from Chewy Pharmacy on-line. Cat's also on Prednisolone, but I honestly can't remember if that's for the same issue or not.

Slowly, the stench, diarrhea and discoloration improved and she regained lost weight, but now after a couple years the discoloration is back, so I have to press our Vet for some improved treatment.

Being a cat, I can't regulate her feeding like you can with dogs. Since she eats several times a day, at somewhat irregular times, I keep her food out of reach until she's hungry, then dose her and feed her.

She's damned lucky I'm retired and can spend the time watching over her, but as with most pets, she understands the extra attention and returns the love tenfold.

Hope Chewy Pharmacy helps. I think we're paying about $0.50 a pill.

Edited to add, told my GF about this thread, she mentioned a Facebook group she's in called Pets With EPI. About 1600 members, she said, mostly German Shepherd owners.

I’m sorry to hear about Lilly, I think I remember post about her but didn’t remember the details.

Thanks all. Lucky for us, the enzyme powder is only about $50 a month from Chewy.

Any food suggestions? She’s on Taste of the Wild Salmon from the rescue and they recommend no beef protein.

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream is what she did best on. Also she did best with numerous small meals throughout the day. White rice and no salt added green beans. Helped keep her full. Keep canned pumpkin on hand for the flare ups helps thicken it up a bit.

If she were still around I would be inclined to try her on Inukshuk Marine 16. We have our current lab on Inukshuk 26/16.
Fish based proteins light up her allergies and the Marine 16 was not for us. Tried a number of the Taste of The Wilds with her and a buddy suggested the Inukshuk and the allergies dropped substantially but most of all her poop is pretty much always nicely formed and about half as much then when she was on the TOTWs.

Our feeding regiments lasted 3-4 years before big flare ups would strike and we would have to adjust things.

I wish you all the best. It’s not a fun road but it’s workable probably more so now.
There were no FB groups when we went through it. There was one small forum but 90% of the posts were between Enzyme Diane and their competitor arguing.