Diet for a Dog With Chronic Pancreatitis

   Ann, Jessie was diagnosed with pancreatitis at the end of April, and chronic pancreatitis last month. Yesterday I started changing her to a diet formulated by Monica Segal;   http://www.monicasegal.com/ .  She has several food allergies so the only Rx diet she could have is Purina en. Monica is great to work with but Sabine Contreras (Mordanna) is very good too;  http://www.betterdogcare.com. You'll probably have to wait about 3 weeks for a consultation with either one. Have you tried adding a small amount of a low fat topper like lean boiled turkey or egg white to his food; maybe that would help him eat it. Jessie never stopped eating, which is typical for her. Jessie's attack was mild but I've learned from others that it can take awhile for the pancreas to heal, and they can have more attacks even if you do everything right. So, it's possible that Aspen may need a little more time before he feels like eating again. If you decide to try another Rx food or to change to a cooked diet, it's important to make the change slowly, and to stay with a diet once you find one that works. I really hope you find something he'll eat very soon; {{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}.

Ah, I saw you talking about Monica in your thread on Jesse & I was wondering who this wonderous person was.  Thanks for the links.  Aspen is on Hills Rx R/D.  He's eating it but not with the ghusto that he used to eat all of his food.  He used to be up my butt when I was handing out treats, now he's sort of excited but not the same.  I've been too scared to try anything besides his Rx food for fear of starting his attack over again.  I'll try putting some chicken breast on his food. 

I hope the diet is working for Jesse.  Give her some rubbins from me.

gradyupmybutt

He's eating it but not with the ghusto that he used to eat all of his food. 

  The low fat foods like the R/D probably don't have as much flavor. 

gradyupmybutt

I've been too scared to try anything besides his Rx food for fear of starting his attack over again.

  I've been the same way, using her food for treats. Make sure there's no skin on the breast and boil it; I have to boil the turkey breast for Jessie's diet because it has less fat than when it's baked. Give Aspen some lovin' from me too.

It's not just the R/D food he's blase about.  It's ALL food.  I can't really put my finger on it but he's just not right.  Even DH noticed that Aspen is not his usual self.  For DH to notice that is something worth mentioning. I want to think that Aspen's reactions or lack there of to food is not life threatening but it's alarming to me.  I know my boy & he's not right.  Anyone else would look @ him & think he's fine but I know better.

I'm placing a standing order for daily lovins from me to Jesse.

 R/D does come in canned, still, right? Maybe that would help, for the time being?

I hope that you find something that helps Aspen stay healthy, soon! I know how rough food troubles are.

Monica is awesome -- I've known her for 10-11 years.  We both used to freelance for the same website years ago (AllPets).  She is THE best I know of and she's the one who really taught me to 'cook' for my dogs.  I'd been doing it for a long time but she *taught* me what I needed to know.

They literally feel really cruddy with pancreatitis.  You may want to ask the vet about a pre-digestive enzyme (even something like ProZyme) which may help.

I think I've mentioned this before -- but NO dairy.  There is something about dairy that really makes them nauseus (even dogs like Billy who LOVE dairy go off it when the pancreas is upset).

Billy went nuts for fresh fruit when his pancreas was off -- the fact that it was cool and wet I think helped.  But even just a wee bit of garlic powder (not salt) can really help spark the appetite.

gradyupmybutt

I want to think that Aspen's reactions or lack there of to food is not life threatening but it's alarming to me.  I know my boy & he's not right.

  Did the vet do a full blood panel when treating Aspen; pancreatitis can sometimes be linked to liver disease. Also, did they check to see if the pancreas has a mass or abcess? When Jessie's values were higher the second week after she was diagnosed, they did an ultrasound to check her pancreas; it was normal. You may want  speak to your vet about Aspen and see what he thinks.

gradyupmybutt

I'm placing a standing order for daily lovins from me to Jesse

Jessie thanks you; she is a big snugglebug.

jessies_mom

gradyupmybutt

I want to think that Aspen's reactions or lack there of to food is not life threatening but it's alarming to me.  I know my boy & he's not right.

 

  Did the vet do a full blood panel when treating Aspen; pancreatitis can sometimes be linked to liver disease. Also, did they check to see if the pancreas has a mass or abcess? When Jessie's values were higher the second week after she was diagnosed, they did an ultrasound to check her pancreas; it was normal. You may want  speak to your vet about Aspen and see what he thinks.

Ok -- What BOTH of you said!!!  If Aspen's just plain "not right" that is honestly WAY enough reason for you to call the vet and say so -- and I don't care IF bloodwork was done last month, if you can possibly do it, get it done AGAIN.  And if a broad spectrum blood analysis wasn't done the first time, do it this time.

jessies_mom is 100% right -- often the pancreas isn't just a loner -- in fact, those of us with a holistic bent truly understand that NOTHING happens in the body in an isolated fashion.  And sometimes we can be trying to treat one thing and it's just not resolving and only by looking further do we find "hmmm, THAT's not right either!"

This spring both Billy and Tink came up with liver issues.  BOTH had skin issues that just plain weren't resolving (totally different skin issues -- COMPLETELY different causes) -- we did a few things to get the liver into shape (some of the same things for both dogs, some completely different things) -- Billy's took longer than Tinks.  That's logical 'cos he's older and honestly, the IMHA aged him and there was some liver and kidney *damage* done that we'll always have to work with.

BUT once we got the liver problems addressed **then** we started getting resolution to the other stuff.  And liver issues can cause all sorts of other stuff in the body to not go well.  skin, other digestive issues (which pancreatitis IS a digestive issue). 

Truly -- your statement that Aspen's "just not right" -- THAT right there is your big huge fat clue to keep pursuing this.  Yeah, pancreatitis makes them feel cruddy generally, and it takes a while for it to heal.  But it does and they should feel better.  So either what's being done isn't maybe enough, MAYBE the infection is lingering (pancreatitis IS an infection in the pancreas -- don't forget that - it's NOT just irritation), and Aspen maybe -- in the only way he can -- telling you "Mom I just feel cruddy".

Sometimes the only way to see into things like that is bloodwork.  And a broad enough panel so the vet CAN spot other stuff that may be blocking recovery.

Jennie, R/D does come in canned.  I'm making treats for Aspen out of it.  He's GOT to have treats, ya know.

Thanks Janice & Callie.  I got Aspen's bloodwork right here.  One thing I saw on it was that they wanted Aspen to have another blood test in 2-4 weeks.  So I'm calling to schedule that along with an ultra sound.  I DO have a call into Dr. Smith to discuss Aspen.  This sucks. I wish Aspen could say what's bothering him.

Alrighty, we have an appointment for a re-test next week.  There are a few things that I know of that could be affecting him but I think it's still part of the pancreatitis.  I'm just so confused & worried.

Of course you're worried -- you might want to ask the vet if Aspen could have those little Gerber's Graduates freeze-dried apple bits that my dogs LOVE so much.  You don't want to use the yogurt blops (that's dairy) but the apple shouldn't cause a problem and he might welcome the 'crunch'. 

Also ask about fruit -- I don't know what it was but Billy wanted the really cold, juicy stuff like watermelon and cantalope.  Thinking outside of the box about treats can be a big deal

 He does have to have treats! That's important!

He may just not have an appetite.  His tummy's hurting him, he knows it hurts worse when he eats so he avoids the source of discomfort.

I've had luck with foods (dry/canned) with Lexi, my chronic pancratitis/gallbladder inflammation bichon with protein level at 25% and fat 15% and under.  Currently Lexi does the best on PetGuard Lifespan or Californa Natural Lamb/Rice for a change.  I use the canned in those and also I do not overfeed her. I keep her on the lean side and this has helped a lot.

Good luck wth Aspen

Annie, how's Aspen? 

calliecritturs

you might want to ask the vet if Aspen could have those little Gerber's Graduates freeze-dried apple bits that my dogs LOVE so much.

Also ask about fruit -- I don't know what it was but Billy wanted the really cold, juicy stuff like watermelon and cantalope. 

  Monica didn't include any fruits or vegetables in Jessie's diet because dogs with pancreatitis need a diet low in fiber.