I'd also try to give pills close to food time so he isn't constantly eating.

A 20 minute walk may be okay, but it sounds a little long.

Think of it the way Cathy said it. His pancreas is likely still eating away at itself. He needs to relax. I promise, I do understand keeping them still isn't easy. Ellie had to be still for like 6+ weeks. I made her get used to being confined.

He won't chew on plush toys?

I would feed what the vet recommends- I thought he was on canned food already, sorry- I didn't realize he was on kibble and the canned was only for meds. It doesn't hurt to ask the vet I suppose if canned is okay.

Also on the issue of the vet- I wouldn't switch vets in the middle of treatment like this- but if you have a good relationship with your vet I see nothing wrong with calling them and asking them your questions. I had a cat once who had to have cancer surgery, the vet who did it was very qualified and did a great job but he was one of those in and out and wouldn't really explain anything- so I went and talked to my regular vet who looked at the paperwork, went over everything, spent time explaining what I didn't understand, etc. She didn't second guess the other vet or recommend anything different, she just helped to answer my questions and put my mind at ease.

I agree Brit. You have some very basic questions about how much food he should be having - how much kibble and how much canned. He's been sick and you are worried about how much/little to give him.

Someone there should be able to give you some more specifics. I was lucky in that I knew our Vet receptionist and she was able to get answers to my questions without me always having to ask the Vet.

I know this is hard for you - you are so particular about what Jackson eats (I am too) and you know how he loves to exercise - so it feels weird to not be walking. But I agree with everyone else to let him rest for now - you can resume walking/training when he is rested and well. Which he will be.

You are a great dog Mom and I'm hoping Jackson feels better every day!

I know, I know, he will be fine and get over it. He's learning. I've been telling him to 'lay down' a lot and he's learning how to cuddle more - which is a plus! He doesn't usually lay on me or real close to me if we are just watching TV but he has been every day and I think it's sooo sweet.

Plush toys- he won't really "chew" on them. He won't entertain himself w/ them, I should say. But I have been playing little bits with him inside every now and then, I figure a bit of indoor low key play can't hurt and he enjoys me giving him so much attention!

6 weeks! :eek: I commend you.

Thanks! That is exactly what I feel like I need. I am very happy with how this vet is helping me take care of him but I feel like I'd love to be able to have a more 'personal' relationship and be able to talk about more stuff. So this is probably what I'll do once this main 'treatment' is over, I will call our regular vet (where he went for his lymes diagnosis, shots, etc) just to discuss this with them too, and like you said, put my mind more at ease.

Thank you - you completely understand!

Hopefully I'll get the simple issue of food amount solved tomorrow.

I just feel like I try to ask and then I never get a specific answer so I'm just kind of just "winging" it and I don't like that feeling. lol.

I very much need to be told (in everything in my life, LOL) do xyz to accomplish abc. I've always needed to be told every little step I need to do, haha.

Like, I would have been more satisfied if the vet told me: OK, feed 1/4 cup of kibble per day. Split into three meals. Give a tablespoon of canned with the pills. Give short 5-10 minute leashed walks every day. That's direct, straightforward and to the point and I'd be like okay. Instead I get "feed less than normal" and "exercise very little". And that just throws my brain ALL out whack, LOL

You're doing a good job Brit. I know this is all pretty new to you and Jackson.

Exercise - the vet is saying very little. The average dog in the US gets what, less than an hour a day for the most part? So I'm thinking a little bit means 10-15 minutes max... Walking around quietly doesn't count, but even playing in the house where he is running and jumping does.

I know a little bit to Jackson is probably like 30-60 minutes a day, but I think the vet meant much less than that.

His pancreas doesn't want to process anything right now. What it is processing needs to go into healing his body. The calories are needed for recovery as is the rest. In other words, because he isn't able to have full meals right now, he is short on calories. So the calories that he does get need to go into helping him recovery instead of be burnt off with exercise.

I'm the exact same way! If you tell me specifically what you want ~ I can carry it out and won't ask again. But I need those specifics.

And, yes, I would want those exact instructions! Feed this. This much. This many times per day. Medication given at _ with _. Exercise limited to _ and _.

I would go insane trying to figure all that out and thinking I was doing it all wrong; and thinking that "I'm probably making him worse.".

I'll bet they can lay that all out for you.

Thanks :) You have helped me so much. I don't know what I'd be doing w/o you and everyone else who has contributed in this thread.

That's the thing, he could usually be okay for 1-2 days if we didn't get any exercise and had to stay in the house. But now it's been a full week without really anything and he's just going stir crazy, lol. I took him in the car with me to the bank the other day just for a drive. He's used to swimming at least a few hours total a week, generally speaking (except the hot days we've been having) walking 3-4 miles 5 days a week, running really hard probably 2-3 days a week at my dads house, and getting to the dog park at least once a week. He also, on the hot days when we couldn't walk, was giving 1hr of playtime with the puppy I dogsit and wrestling and running, etc.

It was a week ago today we were heading to the dreaded family BBQ! I can't believe it was a week ago already.

But everything you said makes perfect sense. I just need to keep him rested. It will be worth it in the end.

Yes - exactly it! I wanted more clear cut instructions, lol.

Just reading this thread I hope Jackson feels better soon. You seem to be getting such excellent support and advice on YT. Good vibes and prayers are being sent your way!!

I don't have any advice, just wanted to send my support for you and Jackson. I've been thinking of you both. I know when one of mine has been sick, the hardest part, once the worry has passed, is keeping them rested once they start feeling better. It's even harder if you don't feel like you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing. I hope you can get some more specific instructions from your vet.

Thank you guys!!

Well I feel like I still get very specifics lol. I didn't see the vet today since the tech just re-filled his fluids. Tech told me "no more than 1cup - 1 1/2 cups of either wet or dry". LoL. First of all, I didn't think you usually feed canned in "cups"... usually it's like "1/2 can" or tablespoons or something. And then when I said "oh wow yeah I've been feeding him a lot less than that", the tech said, "He should be fine by now to eat" or something along those lines....

I think I will just stick to the plan. But they told me wet food is fine (the Purina E/N) so I may just give him not as much dry and then a puppy-sized Kong filled with wet in the evening so he has something to do and chew on.

This is why I would never listen to a tech.

This is just my opinion, but, I would not be lingering meal times by filling kongs and the like. I would put the food down, let the dog eat, put the food away, and let him rest. For me, it just isn't worth the risk to the dog with the possibility of relapse. And I'm worried about Jackson.

Oh, really? Do you think that would be best?

Cuz I have been giving him some kibble here and there... not really putting an amount down and letting him eat.

Like this morning I gave him a bit of canned to take his meds. Then when we got back from vet around 2pm, I took a few kibbles (out of our 1/4 cup) and did some trick training w/ them. So I was just giving him one at a time.

But if you think it'd be better to just put down his meals (splitting 1/4 cup into 3 meals for example) I would do that. Why is "lingering" feeding a bad thing?

I just wanted to say, I understand how torn you are at times w Jackson. My first yorkie, Cricket, had pancreatitis. I knew about pancreatitis in humans, but the disease process is a little different in canines. When Cricket first got it, I felt terrible cutting back on what she ate, no treats anymore - she seemed confused by the new way of doing things. Looking back, she did adjust. I think it was probably harder on mommy worrying about her adjusting than it was on her. You're just being a very protective, worrying mommy - which says a lot about you as a pet owner. More pups should have mommies as good as you! The others are right, though, his confusion will pass and he will adjust.

Thank you so much! You know first hand what I am going through.

He actually is adjusting very well thus far. The only thing that he really is wanting is exercise but I know this lack of it won't be forever so I know I have to do this to get him healthy so we can get back into our physical routine. I think, in the future, keeping him even more busy will give him less time to worry about food and bones and treats. When he's tired out, he won't care about missing chewing his bully sticks, etc.

Food-wise, he seems to be fine. He still runs into the kitchen every time he hears the fridge open (we always called my step-dad the "food man" because he's always eating, however my step-dad is one person who has never really shared food with him, so it's not been an issue). And he still is begging but I think he will quickly learn he's not getting any and he doesn't seem to be too upset about it. He's eating the kibble happily, I am sure because he's hungry and is not getting treats, so he's grateful to have a piece, even if it's just "plain kibble" :rolleyes:

I'm sorry you are stressed out about Jackson.
I am just like you. Give me facts and specifics.
Take a breath and a little time for yourself.
Everything will be ok in the end. It just takes TIME.
Give yourselves time.
He has been through a tough time and so have YOU.
((Hugs))