I am not sure if it's considered genetic or not, I haven't done enough research, but I'm pretty certain it was all the fatty human foods that triggered this. Vet's advice will certainly be followed, especially after he is released from the hospital.

Do you (a generic you) really think that a food he's done perfectly well on for a few months will need to be changed? Is this episode really going to change his stomach this much? I am getting so scared now, man. :(

I just am wishing people food, besides maybe some chicken and stuff, had never even existed in his diet ever. In the beginning, I was trying to be like this, but living in a house with young children made it difficult, plus so many family member enablers, too.

Ugh. :(

From my understanding it is genetic for some dogs, and they never were exposed to the fatty triggers, and still got the disease. I mean there's genetic component to every disease, but some dogs are genetically predisposed to pancreatitis from what I've read. I don't know that much about the disease, I only know what my son's dog went through and he continually had episodes of pancreatitis when they put him back on his regular food. They tried many different healthy RX foods. He'd be okay for a few weeks, and then bam, in the hospital again. They really didn't ever believe in treats, and when I babysit for them, they told me no treats even before he had his pancreatitis. (I obeyed them.) So I can’t say if the food you are using now will cause a problem, I do know many dogs will not want to go back to their old food because they believe it made them sick. He's been pain free for about two years now, but they have to stick to a pretty tight feeding schedule.

This episode changes his entire system and requires a complete and permanent lifestyle change relative to food or anything that goes in the mouth.

This is what I have read, that there is still a lot that is unknown about all the factors that contribute to pancreatitis. Stress may also be a factor. I've also read that in extreme cases, just the smell of certain foods cooking can trigger an attack.

Does a dog develop pancreatitis from the food or does food create an episode due to the underlying issue?

Makes total sense. Thanks for providing what you know with your son's dog.

I am feeling really down about this right now. :(

All your guys support means a lot to me.

I know this, I am ready for the 'challenge' as I know much worse could have happened. I am just feeling like such a failure right now. :(

Good question.

Stop that. You know I live close enough to drive up there.

There is so much that is unknown about pancreatitis. It can happen to anyone, any dog.

Did the docs give you any indication when you can bring your baby home?

I know, I know. But I just can't help it.

He says he's hopeful by tomorrow around 4pm. He did say there is a possibility for another night but he's hoping to have him home with me by tomorrow.

I don't know how I'd afford a second night *sigh* I'd just make it work. My dad says he will help me out. I put down the $750 deposit. My mom owes me $300 so that will be going towards it, too.

I guess they will re-do bloodwork in the morning and go from there. They told me I can call in to check at 9am. I will probably be the crazy lady who calls at 8:59! ;)

Nothing wrong with being a crazy lady. :)

I pray his bloodwork is good tomorrow morning and that he will be able to come home tomorrow afternoon.

Hey if anyone can fight this you and Jackson can. Jackson was fit and healthy when he got this, and we know healthy organisms fight disease better than unhealthy organisms. Look at all the dogs that are grossly obese, just because people want to give them extra love. This disease is not due to poor diet; otherwise all those dogs who were fed greasy table scraps would get it.

I agree with Nancy.

Really like this post. Sums it up perfectly. His stomach should be no different after he heals a bit. It's a question of whether pancreatic enzymes are breaking down his food properly or trying to break down the pancreas itself. So even if there is no vomiting or diarrhea, there is still a chance that something is going on.

A little bit of "fear" is okay with pancreatitis. It's better than not being worried and so not being strict. Honestly, if the smallest little pea sized piece of a forbidden food is eaten, it can theoretically put him back in the hospital. Very life threatening in some cases... Ellie has had it a couple times and the last one was somewhat hard on her. That is the week that I fed some white meat chicken and then some white potato. Went off a couple hours after the potato. No idea what the trigger was, but she sure as heck doesn't get either one of those things anymore! That's how crazy it can get.

Some have one case and are just fine. They do fine on their regular food as long as owners are careful with treats. Others can't go back to their regular food (vet doesn't want them to or they can't tolerate it). Fifteen % fat isn't high. Might be a little high for some vets' liking. Ellie went back on 18% fat after an episode. She did okay as far as the pancreas went, but when changing whatever ingredient around (forget what I did), it didn't help matters. I'd hesitate to stick with 18% if I was in the same situation again. I'd also hesitate to stick with 15%. But bc this is the first time, the vet may be okay with it.

Rx diets don't work for all and pups can have flare up on them also, but they are usually a good idea. I'd go to rx or possibly homecooked food for pancreatitis before all else. That's JMO.

I regret all the crap that Ellie used to get too. Can't change it now though.

There are canned foods that he can probably have and you can bake treats for them, but they will mostly be rx.

For Ellie's pancreas and intestines (it's different because we are concurrently dealing with intestines and food allergies), the only thing that is working now is HA. Not even homecooked was cutting it. In all honestly, I don't like this food for a few reasons (I do like the lack of animal fat coating it though!), but it works for her and that's good enough for me. Not recommending this food at all, but just shows sometimes only one single foods seems to work. Other times several foods could work.

Just seeing this as I have been out all day. I am so sorry that Jackson is ill. I did not read every post...but scanned it all.

I have had pups with pancreatitis quite a few times over the years. My George had it twice (over the period of about 4 years). As for the question you asked about food: I have never had to change their food following an incident....except for the first week or so. The vets usually suggest Hills I/D until everything settles down.

It sounds like this was related to a food that he could not tolerate. But, sometimes pancreatitis can happen for reasons really not known.

I will say a prayer for your Jackson....and I do hope he can come home tomorrow.

As for your family: There was a thread the other day on this topic. Show them your final bill and suggest that if they want to feed him scraps that they could pay the bill next time. Someone else suggested putting healthy treats in front of people when your pup is around...so maybe when you go to family gatherings in the future you can do that!

Will watch for the Jackson update tomorrow.

Brit,
Last year when Barney had the pancreatitis and I did the consult with Dr. R for his diet, some of the things she told me were --
1. We don't know all the foods that trigger pancreatitis - it is not just fat
2. Pancreatitis can smolder for a very long time
3. Each pancreatitis attack is worse
4. It can become life threatening

I know that the second bout of pancreatitis is probably why my Barney has some liver damage since the liver lives right next door to the pancreas. Barney's blood work did not return to normal for almost a year, and I might have never known that if I was not keeping close tabs on it because he acted just fine. And that was with being VERY strict and taking direction from the vets like it was a directive from God. Just to illustrate, recently I fed him some of Daisy's food which is higher in fat. His triglycerides rocked up to 1360 and his liver enzymes went nuts. Just from food. When a dog is prone, a dog is prone and you don't always know what is going on in their body unless you happen to draw blood during the time it is happening. I was probably starting a fire.

I'm not telling you this to scare you, but the bully sticks and fatty treats have to go. A two year old having an acute pancreatitis attack that landed him in the hospital is serious enough in my mind to conclude he is predisposed. I know he ate some things he shouldn't have, but it is not like he ate a couple of sticks of butter or a turkey leg.

As far as being a failure, I don't see you in that light at all. You took your dog to the vet and he is getting the care he needs.

:thumbup::thumbup: