Lucy eats a Blue Buffalo Senior food because it's a, relatively speaking, low protein food. She loooves it and seems to be doing well on it.

Ringo likes it too - I have to put a few of those kibbles into his regular BB food or he will get MAD.

I had Lucy on the NB Vegetarian for about a year until she flatly refused to eat it. She was okay with it at first.

Ringo was happy to finish any food she did not.

I'd be reluctant to switch Jackson over to vegetarian. too, unless the Vet thought that was the best thing.

If Cheerios are "ok" by the vet, I break them into halves and fourths and use those as training/potty treats.
Small and get the point across.

I didn't really ask about specifics today. Vet told me his levels were up a little higher than Monday's blood test, enough to be concerning a little bit, so they sent me home with him with sub-q fluids. I had never heard of it before. But he said he'd rather be safe than sorry and not risk him ending up back in the hospital next week or something. So basically we have an appointment tomorrow and Sunday (I guess to "refill" fluids?) and "final" re-check on Tuesday w/ bloodwork again. Vet told me this would be the cheapest way of doing things, because I guess it will be $37 per visit over the next two visits. Today was $140. I also told him he had no diarrhea or vomiting.

I am glad this vet seems to be proactive. But I don't really feel comfortable to talk and ask alot of questions though. He's more "in and out" and I talk more to the techs. On Tuesday, it will be a female doctor that I haven't met yet (they informed me of this today). So I am curious to see how she is. I feel like I try to ask questions to this guy and he briefly answers them and then I almost feel like he doesn't want to answer more complicated questions so I just stop.

I told him that today he had about a 20 minute walk about an 1/2 hour before our vet visit and could that have been a reason for his lipase and dehydration levels to be up a bit higher and he said no. I said something along the lines of: "How much exercise can he be getting? He's driving me crazy *laughs* he's used to being pretty active, etc, etc" and the vet, while on his computer, just said "very little exercise." The tech had told me beforehand that I knew Jackson best. I don't really know what to go with here. I also asked about food, I said yesterday he had about 1/2 cup which is what he was eating on his old food, and was that too much... and the vet just told me "feed less than you were before." But I didn't even get a chance to explain that the Purina bags suggests 1 cup for a dog his size and the food he was feeding before had more calories, etc, I believe.

After Tuesday with his bloodwork done and everything, I am considering making an appointment with our regular vet before this, as I always felt comfortable talking to her and asking her questions. Just to get a second opinion and make sure I am doing everything right, etc. Do you think this would be wise?

yes. a second opinion from someone you respect and trust is always wise

Honestly, it sounds like this vet is being very thorough. Some vets are not so great about a lot of questions...and maybe you will find one you like better later on. For now, I think he sounds like he is on top of things.

Pancreatitis to a vet is pretty cut and dry....the dog needs his tummy rested and his body as well. Rest and fluids.

Homestly, the last thing to worry about is exercise and what you will feed him when he is better. Priority number one right now is to get him past this illness! That is what this vet is focusing on!

Subcutaneous fluids are often used. My vet prefers a longer hospitalization at the start with IV fluids because what is happening to Jackson is what often happens. It takes a bit longer for the levels to improve when using subcutaneous fluids.

You certainly could make an appt with the other vet if it makes you feel better but I personally think it is a bit of a waste of money since this is the standard of care that the vet is offering. Just my thoughts...and hey, it's your pup and your money! :)

I would stop long walks and help him learn to be a bit of a couch potato for now! :)

I think you do need to find another vet that you can talk to, but I'm not sure this is the right time. As Linda said, it is what it is and all vets should be saying about the same thing. Some will be much more open to your thoughts and want to answer questions for you, but the protocol will still be the same. So yup, time to find another one after this acute case is over if you aren't really happy with them... The answers that they gave you were very short for what I would be comfortable with.

I'd be very concerned that the number has gone up. Prevention of an immediate relpase is the top priority. You might get away with SQ fluids, but the problem is he is still getting food, so his pancreas is still working hard. Hoping for you and him that the numbers go down, but if things stay the way they are you may be looking at more IV time.

Don't pay attention to the feeding amount on the Purina bag. Go with what you were feeding him even if there is a slight difference in calories, and reduce it. 1/2 cup of kibble is what he normally got, so it is too much for now.

Did the vet say to feed like 3 small meals or did they say that eating a few kibbles here and there was okay?

You could start feeding him all his meals from the kong- this way he gets the benefit of a "chew" treat but he is only get the food he is allowed to have. You could even buy 3 or 4 of them and break his meals up, freeze them all the night before and give them to him throughout the day.

Otherwise just don't give in to him- dogs learn to adapt pretty quickly- he needs his rest.

Brit, I am glad to read Jackson is getting better. I have followed your postings just not posted myself:)

As for a new vet, I am not sure what I would do in your shoes. I have been with a vet I did not feel good about but it seems this vet is being thorough with Jackson but it stinks you are not able to get the answers to your questions.

Sending the best vibes your guys way:)

Here is my opinion for what it is worth. While Jackson was healthy he needed more calories because he was burning more with his activity level. So you are comparing a healthy Jackson to a sick Jackson.

Let's compare if you were to get the stomach flu. You become very sick, tired, not wanting to eat or even more around a lot. After a few day of feeling like you are about to die you begin to feel a little better. You decide to get out of bed and move about a little, maybe get a little snack because you feel like you are starving. But within a very short time you begin to not feel well again so you go back to resting. Slowly, you increase your activity and your appetite returns a little more each day. I've got to be honest it has taken be weeks to feel back to normal after some of the flues I have had.

So now apply this to Jackson. Of course he wants to go back to his normal activity and when he isn't feeling well after a little exercise he cannot figure out for himself that is what caused him to not feel well again. He wants to eat but when he does he probably isn't feeling well but doesn't realize that little extra he ate is making him not feel well again. So it's up to you.

Back to you being sick and not eating like normal. Your survive with less intake while not feeling well and so will Jackson. I really think you are putting too much thought into his food intake and comparing it to his normal activity levels. He will not suffer eating less but he will not get better eating more. I believe are stressing yourself out over the larger picture and need to just concentrate on how he is doing each day. Worry about a food change when the time comes and from the sound of it that will not be for a few more weeks. He is still under doctors care and they are monitoring him very closely with bloodwork and office visits. You need to believe they are taking excellent care of him for the issue at hand. Take a big step back and look at how Jackson is doing today. I think you will realize that he is improving with the care they are giving him.

I'd stick with this vet. He is dealing with getting Jackson out of a crisis and preventing a relapse. That is the top priority. It seems to me he is concerned with the worsening blood work. I am glad he's going to be checking on Jackson a few more times. As for your questions, write them down on a piece of paper and take them with you. Tell him you have some questions and that you wrote them down and then go through them. He is probably not wanting to deal with all the food and snack questions when your dog's blood work is still showing his pancreas digesting itself.

great advice! :)

This is a great idea. Doctors love a list of questions. That way you can stay on track while they are in the room with you and Jackson. This is a very effective tool for anyone who is dealing with a medication condition. It can get very overwhelming to the average person to remember all the questions that they would like to ask once the come into the room.

:thumbup::thumbup:

The top priority now is making sure he does not end up back in trouble again!

Thanks, I am going to go through and respond individually.

But just wanted to point out, I hope it didn't seem like I was more concerned with his food BRAND, because I totally am not at this point. I wasn't planning on going to the vet and asking like a trillion questions about future food and diet and all that. I am obviously concerned about getting him BETTER!

But even simple things I can't really get out of the vet. I wanted to be certain I'm not feeding him too MUCH food... OR too little. There is not even an amount that I am supposed to w/ the wet food, I am not sure if he's strictly on wet, how much he's supposed to have per day, etc. He just doesn't give me specific answers in regards to the kind of stuff that I need to know NOW because I want to do everything in my power to get him better and am so scared that I am going to make a mistake and mess something up or something. I feel like he's not being very specific and if it weren't for YT, I'd probably be REALLY clueless right now.

So that was my point. I feel like even things that I need to know he skims thru real fast. Like he walked in the room, scared me half to death by saying "Well we want to do sub-q fluids for the next 2-3 days" and I'm like.... uhhh what is that? Last time I heard the word fluids he had to stay overnight. Scared me for a split second there...

True it will cost you the price of a vet visit.. and I agree with the others that the special vet that is treating him now is doing what needs to be done and mid treatement is not the best time to change vets.

BUT.. your regular vet knows you and your dog and because you communicate better could put a lot of your fears and concerns to rest.

For example.. when my dh was very ill two years past we had the specialist who saved his life, but it was the gp that I cried on his shoulder and helped me with the day to day fears and cares. The specialist thinks on one level.. and when I had my breakdown it was beyond her understanding. So.. in my opinion.. it is a good thing to keep the communication open with the vet you are secure with.

Take care