Peanut has Pancreatitis

[southernbelle04]

Will be praying for you guys! We hope Peanut is ok.

[Teegy]

I would avoid vegetables for a while, fibre cannot be easily broken down in their system and if his pancreas is already stressed it will only lead to further stress and another potential bout.
They don't have the enzymes to break down the chlorofyll in the plants. If you have to blend them up in your food processor or blender and add to their food.
to be gentle on the system I recommend roasted chicken instead of canned medical food full of chemicals. They process the protein very easily without the strain and then slowly back to whatever you do choose to feed them, I'd seriously suggest more than anything going raw for the sake of their health

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

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.

Thanks for your input! I threw all the bullies out- and took back the Texas Toothpicks. I talked to the vet (The fill in) He told Peanut should be on 23-25% Protein and 14-15% fat- When I take him in today my vet will be there and I will ask him what he thinks- That kinda sounds high?? But I don’t know- the fill vet said he doesn’t think it was the Acana that did it- he thinks it was all the junk food. IMO I think that is what it was too!!

[GeorgiesMomma]

Deanna, I hope Peanut is feeling better poor guy. I will pray for him. Keep us posted. Hugs to you and sweet Peanut.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Britster

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.

Hey Girl! So Jackson was never really diagnosed?

I know you have tried a lot of different foods and have been there done that! For treats I do give Peanut Buddy Biscuits- those are the ones that look like little gingerbread? The soft ones-

I do not give Peanut any wet- The fill in vet said he can be on 23-25% Protein and 14-15% Fat- I looked up the Acana Lamb and Apple and it was at 15% fat and 27% Protein- I am going to talk to my Vet today and see if that would be ok for him-

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

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. 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.

Thanks- I did not know Uni had pancreatitis- Has she had a lot of flare ups? What food do you feed her?
I wouldn’t call what we gave Peanut table scraps- It was more like, cheese, DH would let him lick up sour cream, things like that- It was a little bit at a time, but I guess it all added up-

I never thought the Texas Toothpicks were that high in fat- Peanut has never really ate a whole one so I don’t think it was a concern for me- I don’t know what made him eat that whole on the other night, but that is what set him off- He will never get one of those again!

[lovespandp]

The vet has him on 3 cans of the Hills W/d I know he wants me to use those 3 cans until they are gone.

Do you use the Hills ID hard food or wet? Peanut was on Hills Id I think it was a couple years ago- I remember that food just made him Poop so much!

Originally Posted by SophieKatesMom

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.

[lovespandp]

Thank you all for the comments and prayers- He is doing a little better today. He ate his W/D wet food. I will take him in to the vet today to get him rechecked- Hopefully all goes well with that.

[chachi]

I hope everything is well with Peanut at the recheck

[gracielove]

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.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by gracielove

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.

Thank you- The while food thing has always been confusing to me- Before this happened Peanut has been on numerous food brands, Blue Buffalo, Natures Variety, Soild Gold, Wellness... etc

He doesn't take chicken well- He does well on, lamb, fish or duck. He has been on Acana for 3 years and has done well- I think now that I am cutting out all the junk food he we be much better!

[SophieKatesMom]

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.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by SophieKatesMom

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.

Well you have to give her what she does best on and the best thing for her health!! Sounds like she does well on it so that is good! I remember Peanut was on that Hills ID it wasn’t for very long, but the amount he was on it, he was itchy, he pooped like 4 times a day, to me it didn’t seem the food was working for him.

Maybe if he has to be on the W/D it will be better for him-

[diggy4]

I have one with full blown pancreatis and one with acute. You will get very used to the signs and the first few flare ups will freak you out! My advice, change food as Im sure the vet will recommend. Even if he does not have pancreatis he clearly has the symptoms. Not sure why but the fluids help tremendously! At the very first sign of a pancreatis attack I react! 1, start trying to force fluids. PLAIN canned chicken stock is a great way to get them in him. 2 have Famotidine on hand at all times. Vet has to prescribe this but its a life saver! Ask the vet about it if he/she has not already mentioned it. I also have Cerenia If mine are to the point of already vomiting I use Cerenia. IF belly is upset and refusing food, Famotidine. NO MORE TABLE FOOD! none. Its so hard but a must. Mine are on a strict prescribed diet and the only treats they get are canned no salt added green beans, and baby carrots. That's it. for a really special treat they get apple or raw potato. Tons of info on the internet but the main thing you have to think about is helping the pancreas not have to work hard. So that means he needs foods that are VERY easily digested. Hope that helps!

[diggy4]

About Hills or any other food geared for pancreatis. Both of my fur kids poop 3-4 times a day. The food is partially digested so it works through them twice as fast causing them to poop more. That's my experience and what I have learned from reading anyway.