 Pancreatitis
Hello, where do you live? If you're in Southern California, I have some resources for you. If not, I strongly encourage you to find either a credited- advanced degree Advanced Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist (they aren't all the same--check their reputation). They are becoming less difficult to find. If you don't have a specialist in your area, find a vet Very experienced it the treatment. If your vet has not prescribed CERENIA/Maropitant, ask for it. There's another med Angus took: a pill to be crushed, water added, and fed w/syringe. Like Doggie Milk of Magnesia. It coats the intestine walls. I'll see if I still have the name.
Very important! I suggest looking into special low fat diets-extremely lowfat-less than 8%. Hard to find. You might want to look on website, "Just Food For Dogs". If you can't get food from Just Food..., there's a very low fat kibble, "Go" is the brand name. You can order either diet from the web. No cheating on the diet. No people food except baked sweet potato, or Apple, carrot, no fat, nonirritating.
Has your dog begun to pass blood in his stool? Black stool can indicate blood from the stomach. Red blood/bloody stool is from the colon. Should you see either of these, go to the vet as soon as possible. Take some stool with you, or take very good pictures to show your vet.
A low level of Pancreatitis can remain active (Chronic), It might not be noticed without lab work. Dog food > 10% fat might be a/one of your problems. This chronicity can cause ulcerated intestines and/or ulcerated colon causing blood in the stool (black stool if from the stomach; bloody discharge if from the colon). They can't absorb nutrients when this happens. Watch for mucus in the stool. This could be the beginning of trouble.
Definitely check-out Just food for dogs website. They use human grade ingredients like you'd get at the super market. Their over the counter recipes are on line. I tried making it myself, but only when I bought theirs did Angus begin to improve. They make the food right in front--their kitchen is 1/2 of their store space. You can order it shipped to you. They have prescription diets/over the counter diets. Angus wouldn't eat the prescription, but he liked the Remedy formula, no prescription needed; Sweet Potato/white fish (5% fat).
I Suggest you add pumpkin powder to your dog's diet. It aids digestion, has antioxidants, and firms the stool. Also, make sure he's drinking lots of water, feed w/syringe if need be; and feed 4+ little meals. Lots of rest. Low/no stress.
I don't want to upset you, but pancreatitis in Yorkies is extremely dangerous. I suggest acting sooner rather than later. I just ended a 9-12 month battle w/it. We didn't win. It's heartbreaking. Dogs can develop an ulcerated stomach and colon. Then they can't absorb nutrients. My Angus had Cushing's Disease, of which pancreatitis is a common complication. Angus was 13, a tough little stink, so brave. It was devastating.
Well, I apologize for my long windedness. I hope I haven't confused you. Please act now to try to beat it. Good luck. I will keep you and your little pooch in my thoughts, |