I’ve (29F) have had my boy for almost 6 years. He is the best, sweetest soul. He was almost 3, so goofy, and playful, he loved stuffed animal toys and all the attention anyone could give him!
About 2 years ago, he started losing interest in eating his food, lost a bunch of weight, didn’t have any energy, didn’t play, wasn’t so goofy.. he’s become a shell of his former self and it absolutely breaks my heart to watch him struggle.. after about a year of tests, labs, ultrasounds, x-rays, etc., last Christmas I finally got an answer as to what’s wrong, it’s EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency). Basically, he’s unable to digest and absorb the nutrients in his food. Which is why he’s lost so much weight (13lbs at one point), has little energy, etc. he has to have pancreatic enzymes with every meal for the rest of his life. And I can deal with that! I love him and want him to be okay!
But he hates the taste of the enzymes and refuses to eat most options I give him.. I’ve tried a LOT of different things. Finally going to try a different enzyme brand to see if that helps him!
I was just curious if there were any other hounds with this disease. I don’t think it’s very common in this breed. I think his is genetic though, he had a brother with similar symptoms before he crossed the rainbow bridge (he had skeletal issues from racing as well).
I guess I just wanted to share his story and express my hatred for this disease for taking this precious boy’s personality from him.. 🥺😞 it really hurts me and I always feel like I’m making the wrong decisions..