Another dx for Boomer-exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Does anyone else's cat have this? The web says it's "rare" so of course my cat gets it. I seem to get the rare stuff. :lol:
It's actually a relief to hear this DX (they FINALLY figured it out) since he's always had the symptoms - he can't gain weight because he doesn't produce enzymes to dogest his food-all the food remains undigested in his colon and gets pooped out.
He needs powder enzymes added to his food. There are 2 kinds: viokase and pancreazyme. There are also pills.
Questions: has anyone ever used either of these? Is there a taste to the product?
Is there any reason why a powder is better than a pill? Pills seem cheaper.
Iv'e priced this and of course it's expensive. I'm considering just getting the first batch from my vet and pay more just to get it quick. The cheapest I've found is an 8oz bottle at Dr. Foster and Smith for $86 with free shipping.
Does anyone know a site used to compare prices for things like this? I sometimes use Shopzilla but it's not the greatest. More $$$$ to spend. Boomer's gonna have to increase his hours at work to pay for this stuff!

 

check with choy-foong. I think she knows about this

 

Hi Dian-

I've been thinking about Beasley and Twinkie while investigating food allergies that Boomer might have that contribute to his IBD. Apparently food allergies can cause the same symptoms as B & T guys have. I know you've tried all kinds of stuff on them - ever consider a food trial?

 

Well I'm sure once you get this enzyme stuff, a lot of Boomer's issues will clear up! That's great news!

As for the pill v. powder...I would think the powder would be easier to feed. On the other hand, if you're already pilling him, then I don't know if one more pill is going to be that much more of a problem.

Have you looked at 1-800-petmeds? I've ordered glucosamine tabs from them for my drooler because they have the ones made for big dogs (versus the ones at petsmart that require 4! tablets a day for a dog his size). I think their prices are reasonable, tho my vet's office is pretty competitive with them. I'm fairly certain they are less expensive than Fosters & Smith if they have what you're looking for. They also ship pretty quick, and if you search around online you can find coupon codes (google "online petmed coupons" or something like that).

 

Thanks for the reminder about looking for coupon codes online! This med is wicked expensive and the cheapest (by far) is actually Foster and Smith for $86 with free shipping. I also found a $5 off coupon. The receptionist at my vet isn't sure whether or not the have the stuff or not -she doesn't think so but she's checking. Apparently this stuff is tastless. I hope they are right because I have to put it in his food.

 

traci

the boyz each had a half dose of depo(steroid) and there has been no further itching and the touching sensitivity with twink is so much less. other than raising their BG, they have responded well. I do have 2 more half dose shots here in case but that will be a last resort. today is day 15 of shot. I am going to wait until I am sure this is out of their system and see what happens then we will do a food trial for 2 months of venison/duck with pea. jess said can be gotten from petco. do not want to start now so we do not know what worked and what did not. hopefully this one shot broke the cycle and all will be well. I am seriously thinking stress related but WTH do I know.

 

I used this w/ Winnie. Pills are not recommended for cats.
We used either the powder pancrezyme or viokase v. p-zyme is cheaper. but sometimes you can find small bottles of viokase available if you want to try it out first.
I bought mine at http://www.entirelypets.com but I just checked and they do not carry it anymore.
if you order from foster and smith google for a promo or discount code for them . You are bound to come up with something ( eta: oh reread and see mindy already suggested that. great. )

I would strongly suggest avoiding generic brands.( stick w/ one of the two mentioned) I tried a generic w/ Winnie ( vets' office ordered it for me) and it caused her mouth to become inflamed and bleed. :cry:

Make sure you mix it w/ the food and let it sit for 15-20 min before serving.
It does change the texture of the food, which can take some getting use to. I didn't taste it so don't know about that. :razz:
I would also advise starting at a low dose and slowing working up to your therapeutic dose . Gives the cat a chance to acclimate to the texture change . And actually, we played around a bit to find the right dose for her.

one other tip-- be careful when handling -- you don't want to get some on your hand and say rub your eye or something with it. not that I did that :roll:

I hope it helps boomer.

ps. I think deanie and boo and emmy and dude also used zymes.

 

I am very glad the you might be finding answers and solutions to Boomers problems. The drug might be costly, but it will be so great if it helps him get feeling better.

 

Hi Tracy

This is based on his TLI test? And he's been pooping out food, and the poo looks greasy?

Viokase is just the brand name, they are the same product. You actually don't need to let it sit with the food in order for it to work; the "incubation" method is to possibly reduce the chance for oral ulcers. Some animals get sores in their mouths from the food as the enzymes actually work on the mucosa, rather than just on the food passing through the mouth. So it's easiest with dogs who wolf their food; picky dogs and slower eaters such as cats can have more trouble with sore mouths.

I have to say, a lot of cats don't like the taste, either, and since it seems to be less effective in capsules (the capsules may not break down in time for the enzyme to have contact with the food) it's just trial & error, trying to get them to eat it in different foods. Feeding raw pancreas is an option, if you can find a source for it and the cat likes it.

 

Re: traci

Dian-
I am SO happy to hear this! Maybe it's over and their gonna be fine! Whew. Good work.

 

I agree. At this point I don't care about the cost. I bought it and got overnight AND Saturday delivery. I need to get it into him. I pray to God he'll eat it. I did find a $5 coupon which was nice. I had to have my vet call in the prescription to F & S in order to get them to ship today. One thing about the referral hospital is that they are fast with administrative tasks.

 

I used this w/ Winnie. Pills are not recommended for cats.
I would strongly suggest avoiding generic brands.( stick w/ one of the two mentioned) I tried a generic w/ Winnie ( vets' office ordered it for me) and it caused her mouth to become inflamed and bleed. :cry:

OMG! That's horrible.

Make sure you mix it w/ the food and let it sit for 15-20 min before serving.
It does change the texture of the food, which can take some getting use to. I didn't taste it so don't know about that. :razz:

When you say it changes the texture, what do you mean? Does it make it thicker? I'm surprised at what Boomer will eat for me. he eats food with an entire capsule of budesonide in it so I'm thinking this may work too.

I would also advise starting at a low dose and slowing working up to your therapeutic dose . Gives the cat a chance to acclimate to the texture change . And actually, we played around a bit to find the right dose for her.

Good to know! Thanks for this!!!

 

This is based on his TLI test? Yes

And he's been pooping out food, and the poo looks greasy? His poop looks fine to me. I read online that when a cat has EPI he doesn't absorb nutrients from his food-it sits undigested in his colon and then he poops it out. He's bascially starving is what it says.

Viokase is just the brand name, they are the same product. You actually don't need to let it sit with the food in order for it to work; the "incubation" method is to possibly reduce the chance for oral ulcers. Some animals get sores in their mouths from the food as the enzymes actually work on the mucosa, rather than just on the food passing through the mouth. So it's easiest with dogs who wolf their food; picky dogs and slower eaters such as cats can have more trouble with sore mouths.

More good news. :roll: I'm not meaning to shoot the messenger, but things keep getting more and more complicated, depressing and nerve wracking.

I have to say, a lot of cats don't like the taste, either, and since it seems to be less effective in capsules (the capsules may not break down in time for the enzyme to have contact with the food) it's just trial & error, trying to get them to eat it in different foods.
Feeding raw pancreas is an option, if you can find a source for it and the cat likes it.

I've been told it's flavorless. Imagine I called a butcher and asked for a pig's raw pancreas?
:lol:

 

Wow Traci... that is rare. This is actually the first cat I've ever seen with an actual diagnosis of EPI. Much more common in dogs.

That said... I'd never even heard of EPI until my friends German Shepherd got really sick earlier this year and the vet couldn't figure it out. I started doing some research on the symptoms and stumbled onto some web sites on EPI, which fit the dog's symptoms exactly. They tested her and sure enough, that's what it is.

I found a board, similar to this, for EPI dogs. I am putting the link here for you because even though it is for dogs, first of all, the people there are REALLY wonderful (kinda like an FDMB for EPI Dogs) and at a minimum, may be able to help you find a less expensive source for the enzymes since this will be long term. In order to post a message on the forum, you have to create a user id and password, just like here.

Here is the site... http://www.epi4dogs.com/apps/forums/

 

Hi Donna-

Yup, so rare that neither of the vets I deal with have the powder. I paid $35 extra to get it delivered overnight with a Sat delivery. He's always had this issue. I'm not sure that he ever had the TLI test done before, (he had FPLI done) he may have at my regular vet but if it showed that he had EPI my vet didn't give me the right thing to help him. He eats more than any other cat I've had but is thin...it's SO weird. I hope he'll eat the powder; I'm scared.

Thank you SO much for that link!!!! I've never found another board that is helpful like this one.

 

When you say it changes the texture, what do you mean? Does it make it thicker?

hmmmm.... how to describe. well.... it is helping to digest the food........ so when you let it sit those 15-20 minutes. ( which personally I would always do for safety ) it gets a little slimy and almost silky.( polite way of describing barfed up food :mrgreen: )


i did remember the tech at the im specialist's office, was giving me the instructions for it and I asked her about the taste and she said she has to be careful b/c the hospital cat likes to lick up any she spills. so apparently some cats like that flavor!

good luck .

 

Ooohhhh, okay. Well....not to be totally disgusting....BUT I've seen Boomer eat his own puke-so maybe he'll like it!!!! :lol: Good to hear that the hospital cat likes the taste. I need positive stories right now.

 

Hi again! Just want to tell you that this website/forum is great. Wow! Tons of information. It's all for dogs but I will join anyway.

 

Hi Tracy

I didn't mean to be a bummer, sorry. I did find this: http://greentripe.com/ site which sells raw beef pancreas, perhaps that could be an option if the powder is a PITA.

 

Thanks, it's okay.

Thanks for that website. I feel more comfortable with cow pancreas than pig, LOL. I wondered where on earth I'd get that if I needed it and poof! There it is!

I got the powder today via FedEx. I put it on his food and let it sit. It seems to have made it more gravyish. He ate some but he's not really hungry right now so I put some plactic wrap on it and I'll offer it again later. I think he's gonna eat it. I'm very hopeful about this.