Getting a new baby with pancreatitus - need help with food

[addevo]

We have just been approved to adopt a rescue, we will be getting her on Saturday! Here is her information on petfinder.

Petfinder Adopted Dog | Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie | Mount Washington, KY | Chloe

As you will see, she has been diagnosed with pancreatitus in the past, which what caught my eye because we already have a dog with that, and so I wasn't "afraid" of the diagnosis. Her former owners managed it with "Beneful Weight Management" food. <cringe> We feed our dog, Tina, prescription food from the vet - Purina EN. I know it's pretty low quality food, and she had very flaky skin at first. So after reading about options on YT, I started blending it with about 25% California Natural Small Bites. Her skin improved and she hasn't had a recurrence of pancreatitus. So, I'd like to transition the new baby to this diet - both because I hope it's a bit higher quality than Beneful and because, to be honest, it would make it a bit easier for me, too.

I was thinking that it would be best not to change anything at first to let her settle in. But I need help with:
- when to start transitioning her to a new diet
- how best to do it. gradually mix it in, or just switch all at once?

Any ideas would be most helpful

[107barney]

Originally Posted by addevo

We have just been approved to adopt a rescue, we will be getting her on Saturday! Here is her information on petfinder.

Petfinder Adopted Dog | Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie | Mount Washington, KY | Chloe

As you will see, she has been diagnosed with pancreatitus in the past, which what caught my eye because we already have a dog with that, and so I wasn't "afraid" of the diagnosis. Her former owners managed it with "Beneful Weight Management" food. <cringe> We feed our dog, Tina, prescription food from the vet - Purina EN. I know it's pretty low quality food, and she had very flaky skin at first. So after reading about options on YT, I started blending it with about 25% California Natural Small Bites. Her skin improved and she hasn't had a recurrence of pancreatitus. So, I'd like to transition the new baby to this diet - both because I hope it's a bit higher quality than Beneful and because, to be honest, it would make it a bit easier for me, too.

I was thinking that it would be best not to change anything at first to let her settle in. But I need help with:
- when to start transitioning her to a new diet
- how best to do it. gradually mix it in, or just switch all at once?

Any ideas would be most helpful

It really depends on the history. My Barney had pancreatitis at age 5 and it landed him in the hospital for almost a week and he almost died. After that, he came home and resumed his normal diet which was about 14-15% fat. For five more years, we never had a problem. Then, he had another acute attack of pancreatitis last march, which was also severe but we managed him at home and he recovered. He is now on a very low fat diet (3%) that is home cooked for the rest of his life.

[addevo]

Originally Posted by 107barney

It really depends on the history. My Barney had pancreatitis at age 5 and it landed him in the hospital for almost a week and he almost died. After that, he came home and resumed his normal diet which was about 14-15% fat. For five more years, we never had a problem. Then, he had another acute attack of pancreatitis last march, which was also severe but we managed him at home and he recovered. He is now on a very low fat diet (3%) that is home cooked for the rest of his life.

Since she is coming from a rescue I may not have much information about her history. Based on your experience with Barney, I guess we should go ahead and put her on a low fat diet. Do you mind sharing your 'recipe' for the home cooked diet you are using?

[107barney]

Originally Posted by addevo

Since she is coming from a rescue I may not have much information about her history. Based on your experience with Barney, I guess we should go ahead and put her on a low fat diet. Do you mind sharing your 'recipe' for the home cooked diet you are using?

The recipe I use for Barney has been made specifically for him by his vet nutritionist after I did a consultation with her. The amount of each ingredient and supplements are based on his weight, lifestyle, body score, age, and his overall medical record. Each dog is an individual with their own needs just like people. So it is best if you wish to home cook that you pursue your own consultation and have your own diet made. It's not that I would "mind" sharing the diet, I just don't think it is responsible of me to do so for someone else's sick dog when I am not a veterinary nutritionist and therefore not qualified to do so.

I found spending the money was well worth it. Barney's last bout of pancreatitis cost me more than the consult in more ways than just money - I took time off of work, I ran around at lunch time to check on him, I was up all night with him, I was worried sick that he was in so much pain and I feared the worst. He recovered, but his blood work took several months to return to normal, he had damage done to his soft tissues as a result of the pancreatitis attack, and he really took an overall beating.

If you want to do a consult, PM me and I'll pass along contact info for ours or you can look her up: Rebecca Remillard Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston....it's MSPCA Homepage and you click on specialty services and choose nutrition.

I only use board certified veterinary nutritionists who have no stake in the supplement market.

[addevo]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I found spending the money was well worth it. Barney's last bout of pancreatitis cost me more than the consult in more ways than just money - I took time off of work, I ran around at lunch time to check on him, I was up all night with him, I was worried sick that he was in so much pain and I feared the worst. He recovered, but his blood work took several months to return to normal, he had damage done to his soft tissues as a result of the pancreatitis attack, and he really took an overall beating.

If you want to do a consult, PM me and I'll pass along contact info for ours or you can look her up: Rebecca Remillard Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston....it's MSPCA Homepage and you click on specialty services and choose nutrition.

I only use board certified veterinary nutritionists who have no stake in the supplement market.

Yes, the pancreatitis attacks are expensive and terrifying, so anything that I can do to avoid one is well worth the price of the consultation. Thanks so much for the contact information for a veterinary nutritionist, I'll definitely get in touch with her to design a diet for both of our dogs.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by 107barney

The recipe I use for Barney has been made specifically for him by his vet nutritionist after I did a consultation with her. The amount of each ingredient and supplements are based on his weight, lifestyle, body score, age, and his overall medical record. Each dog is an individual with their own needs just like people. So it is best if you wish to home cook that you pursue your own consultation and have your own diet made. It's not that I would "mind" sharing the diet, I just don't think it is responsible of me to do so for someone else's sick dog when I am not a veterinary nutritionist and therefore not qualified to do so.

I found spending the money was well worth it. Barney's last bout of pancreatitis cost me more than the consult in more ways than just money - I took time off of work, I ran around at lunch time to check on him, I was up all night with him, I was worried sick that he was in so much pain and I feared the worst. He recovered, but his blood work took several months to return to normal, he had damage done to his soft tissues as a result of the pancreatitis attack, and he really took an overall beating.

If you want to do a consult, PM me and I'll pass along contact info for ours or you can look her up: Rebecca Remillard Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston....it's MSPCA Homepage and you click on specialty services and choose nutrition.

I only use board certified veterinary nutritionists who have no stake in the supplement market.

I totally agree! When I needed a special diet for my Cody who had renal and pancreatic issues, I did a consult with the vet nutritionist at Texas A & M.

[Lisa and Pic]

Bless you for taking a rescue and I am so glad that a little girl from Kentucky is going to a good home.

My Piccolo has also had Pancreatitis in the past, so understand your situation. Sounds like the advice you are being given about using a nutritionist is a great idea. Good luck with everything.