Originally Posted by Ellie May (Post 3936409)

I'm sorry. :(

It sounds like he is going to be okay.

Fat is not the only thing that can trigger pancreatitis. It is thought that certain ingredients and high protein foods can also.

Yup, I'd throw the bullies and Toothpicks away. Not good for pancreatitis patients and not good for dogs in general (jmo).

I'm not sure that Acana would trigger a pancreas issue, but now that it is weakened, he is much more susceptible to get it again. IMO, it is safest to skip it. Good idea to let your vet help you choose the food. for dogs that have had pancreatitis, esp. if a breed that is prone to it, it might be best to stick to rx food just because 1) these foods tend to be more consistent, 2) the protein and fat percentages are minimums, so you would have to contact every company if not rx to get the max percent, and 3) the ingredients used in GI foods tend to be agreeable to these pups.

My girl is on an 8% fat diet. Because of all her issues, when I homecooked her nutritionist decided on 1% fat. All depends on the pup... If you really want to feed an OTC food, then your vet could help you pick one. If they want Peanut on rx food only and you don't want to use it, then you can always talk to a nutritionist about homecooking.

Originally Posted by Britster (Post 3936415)

Ohhh No! I am so sorry. Poor Mr. Peanut. I know what you are going thru. I was a wreck when Jackson was in the hospital - blaming myself, and just an all around mess. That first week was miserable because everything was so unsure in our case. I took him to our non regular vet where we had never been, since it was open Sunday. I was such a wreck as he had been throwing up ALL night and it started turning into a red hint, and because I was so scared, I simply listened to what they told me and had him stay over night on IV's. In hindsight, I am regretful that I trusted that vet (as I don't now) and after speaking to our regular vet about a month or two later, she believes he did not even have pancreatitis to begin with, just GI upset. I know he had a ton of fatty human foods at a family BBQ and I am pretty certain it's what set off the digestive upset (he also was in a salt water pool and I do wonder if he injected too much salt water). But I spent sooo much money getting subq fluids every other day for like 7-8 days, and going in and out, and 3-4 seperate blood tests and nothing was changing and he was acting completely fine and back to normal. They finally decided to send out for a cPL test (pancreatitis test-which I would def suggest, in the future I'd ask for it right away) and it came back negative. My vet who did not see him during his illness thinks it was simply a GI upset from all his files and what I told her.

So anyways there is the short version. But either way I played it safe for a few months and kept him on low fat low protein foods and was never happy with the results. I still play it safe and do not give any high fat treats (I stick with soft Buddy biscuits and Zukes, etc) and the only human food he gets is the occasional cheese (for pills, or doing something very special), or a small piece of bread, or lean meat. I also do not give high fat canned food (which can be tricky, because a lot are rich, and you have to convert the %'s to dry matter basis). I feed a canned food with 1.5% fat (not sure what that coverts to) mixed with his Acana kibble. I went back to Acana probably 5 months after, and after two bags, I immediately noticed a shine coming back to his coat, less eye goop, more energy, etc, etc.

I am so sorry you are going through this though, and am sending my prayers. I am not the most knowledgeable at all but did a fair share amount of research after this, so if you ever need to PM me, I am here. But I got the most advice & help from here on YT and still am extremely grateful for everything every one offered me.

Originally Posted by capt_noonie (Post 3936682)

Sorry to hear this. Uni has pancreatitis as well. We found out after she did not do so well eating lamb. This was when she didn't want to really eat, yet she loved the lamb. I now give her the lowest fat and protein kibble I can find.

As for "table scraps" I don't like that term. It always sounds like stuff you don't eat on your plate and are going to throw away, like the fat cut off a steak, burnt edges, or leftovers. I know none of us YTers would give our yorkies that. I still give Uni plenty of people food, in the form of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, fruits, etc. She is now on a grain free diet, and has not had a relapse of pancreatitis since the first.

Now about the Texas Toothpicks. I guess you didn't know, but Merrick has had many recalls of their products in recent years. I used to LOVE the TT. The first time I tried them was at the Muttropolis meetup in Newport Beach, remember when we first met? Uni loved them so I bought a few more. They used to last about a week long each. Then I started buying them by the bag instead of by the piece. They looked much darker and only lasted I swear 10 minutes each! I emailed Merrick and asked what's up. They said they haven't changed a thing (yeah right) and here's a free bag. :rolleyes: T hen come to find all the recalls. I haven't gave them since them. Throw them out! I wouldn't even donate them to my shelter, I don't want to make the poor dogs there sick! But as far as I know (or what I was led to believe) the TT's are not high in fat.

Originally Posted by SophieKatesMom (Post 3936824)

I am so sorry for Peanut I hope he is feeling better.

Sophie Kate also has Pancreatitis and I feed her only Hills ID, she eats it with no problem so far (last problem was over a year ago).

For treats I give her Charlee Bear treats, they are low in fat and made in the USA (no ingredients from China). I also give her plain Cheerio's and have good luck with is so far.

The training people not to give them food is so hard. I have had to explain to people that people food will make Sophie Kate very ill and in one case I had to threaten to send them her Vet bill (that worked well). When I know I am not going to be around to keep an eye on her I will lock her in my room, I am not risking someone giving her a snack and havig my baby be in pain or ill.

Originally Posted by gracielove (Post 3937679)

One thing to keep in mind about protein is the quality of protein that is being used. Many of the less than quality brands use some really cheap sources of meat and other sources and therefore the quality of the protein is quite low and more difficult for the body to break down and digest properly.
People who home cook at lest know what their protein sources are. I feed a commercial grain free raw and the protein and fat is quite low and made of quality meats.
The only table scraps Gracie gets are things like meat and vegetables that do not have any sauces or added fats.
I know it is awful to see your baby sick. I hope he is doing much better soon. Find a healthy snack to have handy for him once he is all better so that no one feels bad when he is wanting you to share something.
Best wishes to the little Peanut.

Originally Posted by SophieKatesMom (Post 3937848)

Sophie Kate is on the Hills ID dry food with wet as a special treat.

Her poop (I have no other way to describe it sorry) has become more harder and smaller but according to her Vet that is a good.

The nice thing about this is I am Sophie Kate on such a tight schedule with food that I can almost predict when she has to poop.

I will keep her on prescription food for the rest of her life if that is what it takes to keep her healthy.