In a dog with a confirmed case of pancreatitis, I wouldn't not be pushing any food. Your dog's body likely knows better than you do what he can handle and if he's turning away from food, his tummy is probably still upset. As long as your little guy is well hydrated, he can go a day or two or three without food if that's what it takes for his pancreas to settle down. My little guy has had somewhat of a chronic pancreatitis issue. When I do start feeding him after an acute episode, I start with several very small, very bland meals per day and see how he tolerates it. I generally give him only a bit of boiled white potato, mashed well, with a very small amount of boiled chicken breast every few hours and increase the amount each day. If he's tolerating the potato/chicken well after a few days, I then switch him to the Royal Canin Gastro Low Fat. His vet has me give sub q fluids at home until he's back to eating well to make sure he stays hydrated. Depending on how severe the pancreatitis is (Did you have the Spec cPL? What was the number?) it can take weeks for the pancreas to completely heal and during that time a dog is very susceptible to a relapse. He should stay on a bland, low fat diet for at least the next several weeks. Hope your little guy is feeling better soon. Pancreatitis can be very scary and is nothing to fool around with.
Diana and Scooby |