Jackson's not feeling well. :(

[107barney]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Aw, poor chew-less Jackson!

I'm not extremely educated about pancreatitis, but wanted to offer up some other options for chewing:

- Freeze a kong or something similar with lean chicken or low fat cream cheese in it.
- Give him raw chicken breast bones, or the raw bones of another animal (you can can freeze them for a few months to kill any bacteria, then let them thaw out).
- I would recommend pig feet, ears, and tails - I would imagine they are all cartilege - but I seem to remember you saying that Jackson considers these too high value to eat, and buries them instead.

Yikes. These are bad ideas for a dog w/ pancreatitis!!!

[QuickSilver]

Why would a treat that is low in fat, and without much protein, trigger pancreatitis?

[roseslevi]

I believe pig ears are high in fat? I think Brit would be better off with either Nylabones are perhaps Himalayan chews...that are low in fat.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Why would a treat that is low in fat, and without much protein, trigger pancreatitis?

It is not known all things that can trigger pancreatitis.

[QuickSilver]

A pig's ear is not fat - it is cartilege, just like the human ear. FYI, Himalayan chews are (very) hard cheese.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by roseslevi

I believe pig ears are high in fat? I think Brit would be better off with either Nylabones are perhaps Himalayan chews...that are low in fat.

Himalayan chews are high in protein. High protein can trigger pancreatitis. A dog with a history of pancreatitis is usually given a moderate protein and lowered fat diet.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by 107barney

It is not known all things that can trigger pancreatitis.

With all due respect, you said, "Yikes", and said specifically that the things I suggested would cause pancreatitis. I was trying to offer things with low fat and low protein. If you operate on the assumption that literally anything can cause pancreatitis, that would suggest you should never feed your animal anything at all.

For a frozen kong, you could also put in sweet vegetables like carrots or oatmeal, along with some chicken.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

A pig's ear is not fat - it is cartilege, just like the human ear. FYI, Himalayan chews are (very) hard cheese.

I have always read that pig ears are high in fat. Here is one vet's note on them (first paragraph he says he does not recommend them because of their fat content): Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Pig Ear Dog Chews Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

[Ellie May]

QS: Bone unnecessarily irritates intestines even in healthy dogs. Intestinal irritation needs to be avoided.

Brit, this is what "I" would do (FWIW):

If I was set on a holistic food or homecooked diet, I would contact a veterinary nutritionist asap. They would be able to advise you much better than any of us can about what chews and treats are appropriate anyway.

OR

I'd listen to the vet about feeding a major brand food (and inquire about and probably request that my dog go on RC Lowfat for maintenance). This would be even more important if it's a chronic issue (chronic would make me more likely to talk to a vet nutritionist). I would not give animal by-product chews at all. I would consider tiny pieces of lean chicken or non fatty fish. I'd give some approved vegetables. I'd avoid most fruit. I would talk to my vet or nutritionist about what non by product chews to give. I'd consider keeping some canned rx food on hand (like EN) if Kongs are important to him. I wouldn't choose a food based on fat content or protein content alone, but I'd talk to my vet or nutritionist about whether or not they feel the ingredients in said food are okay because this case definitely wasn't too mild.

Anybody that you go to and ask for a diet recommendation should have a DVM behind their name. They can interpret blood work best.

Again this is JMHO and it is what I would do if I could do everything over again with Ellie.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Aw, poor chew-less Jackson!

I'm not extremely educated about pancreatitis, but wanted to offer up some other options for chewing:

- Freeze a kong or something similar with lean chicken or low fat cream cheese in it.
- Give him raw chicken breast bones, or the raw bones of another animal (you can can freeze them for a few months to kill any bacteria, then let them thaw out).
- I would recommend pig feet, ears, and tails - I would imagine they are all cartilege - but I seem to remember you saying that Jackson considers these too high value to eat, and buries them instead.

Don't want to give you a hard time, but this is one of my pet peeves, freezing does not kill bacteria, it slows the growth down, but as soon as you thaw it, bacteria become active and start multiplying. If done properly, freezing will kill some parasites.

By the way, here’s some information on pigs ears, guess they aren’t regulated and some do have very high fat. PetDiets

[107barney]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

With all due respect, you said, "Yikes", and said specifically that the things I suggested would cause pancreatitis. I was trying to offer things with low fat and low protein. If you operate on the assumption that literally anything can cause pancreatitis, that would suggest you should never feed your animal anything at all.

For a frozen kong, you could also put in sweet vegetables like carrots or oatmeal, along with some chicken.

No, I did not say they could specifically cause pancreatitis. I said it was not a good idea to feed these items to a dog with pancreatitis. Yes, I said yikes because I found your advice to be alarming for Jackson. However, I think some of your ideas for treats are wonderful such as carrots or oatmeal in a kong (not pig parts or raw stuff or cream cheese) but these are not items I'd feed to a dog who is currenly experiencing unresolved pancreatitis and I would not do this for many months following the event to make sure the pancreas isn't tipped off.

As to the rest of your comments about assumptions, I do not operate on the assumption that anything can cause pancreatitis and have stated that over and over. But we are dealing with a breed predisposed to pancreatitis so being aware is a good thing. However, it is not worth the risk for a dog with a KNOWN history of pancreatitis when it is UNKNOWN all things that could tip him off. Just as a reminder, pancreatitis can become a life threatening illness and each pancreatitis event is usually more severe than the one before. I would hate to come on here some day and see that Jackson is back in the hospital with a hemorrhaging pancreas knocking on death's door for something as silly as a treat! That was a little dramatic but I take this stuff extremely seriously.

With all that said, Brit has to make the choices here and I respect that of course. I know what I would do if this was my dog, I've shared that on the thread and with Brit herself.

[roseslevi]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Himalayan chews are high in protein. High protein can trigger pancreatitis. A dog with a history of pancreatitis is usually given a moderate protein and lowered fat diet.

Boy it's a tricky balance isn't it?

[QuickSilver]

I definitely don't want indirectly hurt Jackson either! As I said, I don't know a tremendous amount about dog nutrition. I was just trying to think of chews that are not fatty or high protein since Britster suggested he needs SOME kind of chew. Lowfat cream cheese (and other "reduced fat" cheeses) are mostly carbohydrate.

Maybe a kong with rice soaked in chicken stock would be a good bet.

[QuickSilver]

My mistake on the pig's ears. They do appear to be quite fatty. I googled the nutritional value of pig's feet, and they look like a better bet.

Also, I did not mean to suggest that Jackson should immediately be showered with dozens of different chews. I wanted to suggest things that might be good to try when he is feeling better.

[_Chrissy_]

What about Sam's Yams for chews?