Sick 5 year old YORKIE PANCREATITIS

[Kimmiecue]

I came to this forum hoping to find some others that may have yorkies with this disease. My baby is very sick and was diagnosed with pancreatitis a few years ago. He has episodes off and on but recently in the past month has been fairly sick more often than not. We have seen the vet 3 times and it's always the same..gives him anti nausea meds, a shot for pain and IV fluids for dehydration. He is on a special diet of home made food. I cook lean chicken breast with no fat, sweet potato, brown rice and blend it up with Hilary`s blend vitamin supplements. I just spent all night up with him vomiting, when he drinks water he throws it up and is not even keeping the medication down. I am taking him back into the vet..but if anyone has any stories they can share with me on how I can help him get better..I am terrified I am going to find him lifeless on morning. Thanyou Kim

[MandiesMom]

Hi Kim. I'm so sorry your little one is going thru this and you feel so helpless. I can only imagine.

There are many on here who have dealt with this problem. They will post soon with some advice and tips. I think finding the right diet is key and then the IV fluids during flair ups. Do you have a vet school/university around you? If so, maybe go to them to see if they can offer a better course of treatment and diet for your baby.

Praying you get the help needed soon. I can feel your pain and worry and love. Hugs!!

[chachi]

It sounds like your trying your best with the homecooking but for chronic pancreatus maybe she needs to be on a RX foood

[Nancy1999]

I agree with Chachi, it sounds like you may need an special food. My son's dog has pancreatitis, and they tried to stabilize him for over a year trying all sorts of recommended diets. They had always fed him a healthy diet, with only healthy snacks, so the pancreatitis, was a huge surprise, not brought about by diet, but heredity. He got so skinny, we thought we were going to lose him and they finally tried Iam's Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Low-Residue Canned Dog Food, and it really saved his life. That was over 3 years ago, and he hasn't had one attack since. Here's more information on it. Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Low-Residue Canned Dog Food | Free Shipping - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

[107barney]

Home cooking can be fine however I can tell you in my experience the diet you are feeding is not what I feed my dog Barney who has had two bouts of acute pancreatitis. I believe your fiber is too high with sweet potato. Also yor vitamin mix might be flaring him up.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I agree with Chachi, it sounds like you may need an special food. My son's dog has pancreatitis, and they tried to stabilize him for over a year trying all sorts of recommended diets. They had always fed him a healthy diet, with only healthy snacks, so the pancreatitis, was a huge surprise, not brought about by diet, but heredity. He got so skinny, we thought we were going to lose him and they finally tried Iam's Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Low-Residue Canned Dog Food, and it really saved his life. That was over 3 years ago, and he hasn't had one attack since. Here's more information on it. Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Low-Residue Canned Dog Food | Free Shipping - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

This diet is higher in fat than her current diet and could be problematic also.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by chachi

It sounds like your trying your best with the homecooking but for chronic pancreatus maybe she needs to be on a RX foood

Every commercial diet on the market including Rx is higher in fat than the diet she is feeding.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by 107barney

This diet is higher in fat than her current diet and could be problematic also.

I'm only recommending it because it worked. Fat isn't the only crucial component, and there seems to be mixed opinions on its involvement in the disease.

[ladyjane]

Personally, I would do a consult with a vet nutrionist. It may very well be that home cooking could help, but I would never home cook without the advice of a vet nutritionist.
I have two pups who are currently doing very well with their medical conditions because of the advice of the vet nutritionist that I use. I cannot say enough about their advice! I have done consults in the past as well..but the two I mentioned are recent. One of them has a very serious condition, lymphangectasia, and she is doing fantastic a year after her initial diagnosis ... all thanks to her diet!
You can find one at: American College of Veterinary Nutrition
Many of them will do consults through your vet via email or telephone.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm only recommending it because it worked. Fat isn't the only crucial component, and there seems to be mixed opinions on its involvement in the disease.

I agree fat isn't the only crucial component, however it is the major one and no there are no mixed opinions excepts maybe here on YT. My vet won't carry Iams so I know nothing about it other than they have a low opinion... I am however well versed as a pet owner in this disease and would encourage the OP to seek out a diplomat of the ACVN for help.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Kimmiecue

I came to this forum hoping to find some others that may have yorkies with this disease. My baby is very sick and was diagnosed with pancreatitis a few years ago. He has episodes off and on but recently in the past month has been fairly sick more often than not. We have seen the vet 3 times and it's always the same..gives him anti nausea meds, a shot for pain and IV fluids for dehydration. He is on a special diet of home made food. I cook lean chicken breast with no fat, sweet potato, brown rice and blend it up with Hilary`s blend vitamin supplements. I just spent all night up with him vomiting, when he drinks water he throws it up and is not even keeping the medication down. I am taking him back into the vet..but if anyone has any stories they can share with me on how I can help him get better..I am terrified I am going to find him lifeless on morning. Thanyou Kim

Welcome fellow Canuck. There are no diplomate in Veterinary Nutrition here in Ontario that I have found. There are only two in all of Canada, and both practise out west.

Also naturopathic and homeopathic fully qualified vets are in short supply. There is one practicing out in Milton area, that only gave me a phone consult. Oh and btw my dog has a different issue to yours, so I can't help you out with any practical stories.

Welcome to Pet Diets is an online consulting nutrionist site that your organize through your vet's office. You can look up the fee for same somewhere around $250 or so.

Either Ladyjane or 107Barney may have a "better website" to go to; but I think that was the one they referred me to.

Also Hilary's pet vitamins might contain something in them that is irritatiing.

I do so hope you are able to find what might be irritating your boy.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Kimmiecue

I came to this forum hoping to find some others that may have yorkies with this disease. My baby is very sick and was diagnosed with pancreatitis a few years ago. He has episodes off and on but recently in the past month has been fairly sick more often than not. We have seen the vet 3 times and it's always the same..gives him anti nausea meds, a shot for pain and IV fluids for dehydration. He is on a special diet of home made food. I cook lean chicken breast with no fat, sweet potato, brown rice and blend it up with Hilary`s blend vitamin supplements. I just spent all night up with him vomiting, when he drinks water he throws it up and is not even keeping the medication down. I am taking him back into the vet..but if anyone has any stories they can share with me on how I can help him get better..I am terrified I am going to find him lifeless on morning. Thanyou Kim

I have a pup who gets acute bouts of pancreatitis. It blows over quickly and fluids are given early. I'm very comfortable treating at home after she sees the vet (some might say even to a fault). But your pup NEEDS to be in the hospital on an IV for several days. Drugs need to be given by injection. Bloodwork should be done unless you have done it fairly recently. An ultrasound may ge needed. It isn't even necessary to think about diet right now. Your pup can barely hold down water. If your vet can't fix this long term them maybe a specialty hospital? i'm concerned that your fear willcome true and you will wake up after your pup has passed. It is extremely serious.

Then when pup is stabilized and keeps food down at the hospital consider talking to a veterinarynutritionist if you haven't already. I know Hilary's Blend is highly regarded in CA. Not sure what is in it though.

What is the protein/fiber breakdown of this diet! it may be too soon for sweet potato. Also, high protein can be more of aconcern than high fat. Need to watch both along with fiber and individual ingredients.

My dog has not had an episode for two years. She is on an rx food. The kind is irrelevant bc all pancreatitis patients are different. There is nothing wrong with homecooking with an expert tormulating the recipe. It just ended up not working well over time for my girl. She has many issues and an rx food works best oddly enough.

Commercially IMO some possible foods are RC LF, Purina HA, And maybe Purina EN and SD I/D.

I hope your pup is at the hospital now.

[Kimmiecue]

wow thankyou so much for all the input..the homecooking originally came from this vet and he often does very well with it. It seems that alot of his pancreatitis is brought on by stress..when we had to put our older 15 year old dog to rest..he was devastated and was very sick for a week. Even trips to the vet will bring on episodes. I thought I had everything under control, he was really healthy for most of the summer then we noticed a small tumor on his back..it grew larger and needed to be removed. I was so worried because I know him so well..I knew that being at the vet and going through the sergery would be traumatic for him, sure enough 4 days after her got very sick and has had 3 more episodes since. I am currently trying to find someone from the University of Guelph to see him. There is a girl from this forum that had a yorkie that brought her baby there with the same problems and I am hoping to find out how she made out and if her dog is ok. Thankyou so much for all of your input. I am def going to speak with someone more knowledgable anout his nutrition.

[chestermama]

my girlfriends dog has chronic pancreatitis and she has done well on the low fat food from solid gold 6% fat, talk to your vet