EPI and diet

Question
Hello.  We have an eight month old German Shepherd that has recently been diagnosed with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency).  He was fed a raw diet from the breeder but when we got him, our vet told us to feed him kibble instead.  He didn't take well too the kibbles and we switched his food 3 times.  He's had loose stool on and off for months which caused us many trips to the vet.  The finally did a blood test the detected the EPI.  He's been getting enzymes now for two days and he is still on his kibble.  Do you recommend a change back to raw?  Our breeder does and she says he may never have had an issues if we had just kept in on raw.  We had two other dogs before that were sick dogs and we just want a healthy happy puppy.  Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated.  THANK YOU!

Answer
She is probably right. If she has been using the same recipes for many years and has proven results, I would definitely switch back to your breeder's recipe. You must switch back SLOWLY, however, and I would also research the vitamins, minerals and herbs that support a healthy Pancreas. How healthy are her breeding stock? Will she give you the names and contact info on any other puppy buyers from that litter or previous litters from that sire and dam? Don't make her feel threatened...enlist her help and advise. Also, do your own research into diets, especially if you are doing "home made". Dr Deva Khalsa has a book out called Natural Dog that you should get, plus a book by Kymythy Schultze called Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats; check Amazon. There are many good frozen raw diets available that are properly balanced, but some of them recommend certain additives.

It may interest you to know that in college, vets are required to take ZERO credit hours in nutrition, and in general, if they do get any info on canine nutrition it is from the Hills / Science Diet Company, which is all chemical and bi-product laden foods. I think they have recently jumped on the natural band wagon with a new natural line, but I certainly wouldn't trust its quality.  What was your vets rationale behind switching and what did he switch you to? Read the ingredient list.

Another issue could be vaccines.  Has your vet also been giving him shots? Has he had any additional ones even after he showed signs of ill health? Do the research...and do the math.  Follow the money trail, who's making the bucks? Vets definitely have their place: spays, neuters,fixing broken limbs, etc. but, like the human medical profession, they are more abut sickness than health.

I must admit that I've gotten a bit cynical about vets over the last 20 plus years of studying canine nutrition and alternative health and the 40 plus years of being a professional in the canine world. People need to take more responsibility for their own and their pets' health by reading and researching the information that is now so readily available. It would save a lot of lives. I know I have saved quite a few over the years. As a result, I have vets who actually send people to me, and I have vets who threaten me for practicing without a license. Go figure.

Is there a holistic vet in your area that you could contact?  If so, I would consider switching.

I guess that's about it.  There are several articles on my web site www.critteroil.com that may interest you. Check them out if you get a chance.

Keep me posted.
Sue