I got Rocky when he was 3 months old. He was tiny, but already was showing signs of sensitive digestion. I was always trying to feed him a low fat diet (since veterinarian was mentioning how important it is). But as he started to age, rarely he could show signs of acute Pancreatitis. I developed a diet which is very suitable for Rocky, easy to have it stored and to prepare at home.
The Way it Works
The enzymes in the Pancreas are released when food moves down to the Small Intestine (it works same for humans and dogs). But, if the Pancreas is not working well, the Enzymes are released and activated way before the food can go down to the Small Intestine. This causes a strong inflammation and causing a strong damage to Pancreas and its surrounding tissue and other organs. Short to say, the Enzymes actually start to digest Pancreas itself causing an extreme pain, especially to your dog.
Signs of Pancreatitis in Dogs
- Hunched Back
- Repeated Vomiting (either Periodically or several times whiting few hours, especially in the morning)
- Pain or Distension of the Abdomen
- Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
- Weakness or Lethargy
If your dog shows such signs occasionally, the first rule is to make sure that your dog drinks enough of water. For the first day, it is better to avoid all the treats as well as the food (in order to help the body to recover and to decrease an inflammation). Over boiled starchy rice (given in few tea spoons few times per day) can help to ease the hunger, and decrease an inflammation.
Very important, never feed your dog brown rice (even if its overcooked) it is extremely hard for them to digest and can only harm. I personally use a Sushi rice and i overcook it to the consistency of porridge. It makes it much better to digest for the dogs with Acute Pancreatitis and helps to ease their inflammations and eases the digestion.
Caution
When your dog starts to experience the first signs of Acute Pancreatitis, make sure that you give them enough water in order to prevent a dehydration. If your dog is not willing to drink water on their own, you can always provide water via Syringe (of course the needle must be removed).
Diarrhea and Vomiting always causes an increased loss of fluid not only in Humans, but especially in small kids and dogs (the loss of liquid even faster and more sever than in small children). So you have to observe your dog when such health problems are happening. Make sure you provide them with enough of water in case if you see that they are refusing to drink water on their own. Providing water via Syringe is a great help!
Causes
Unfortunately the attacks of Acute Pancreatitis in dogs can happen very sudden and out of nowhere. The number if risks and factors is very broad. Here are some:
- High Fat Diet is the major cause of Pancreatitis. Especially if it is continues or given in a one large portion. A food high in fats is the major cause and trigger.
- Uncontrolled eating habits (like sneaking on the food from other pets).
- Obesity.
- Hypothyroidism (to their Endocrine diseases).
- Diabetes Mellitus.
- Certain Medications and Toxins (including: Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Calcium, Potassium Bromide, Phenobarbital, l-aspataginase, Estrogen, Salicylates, Azathioprine, Thiazide Diuretics, and Vinca Alkaloids).
- Some smaller Toy Breeds have a genetic Predisposition for a high risk of Pancreatitis.
Diet
As i wrote before, very important to remove any foods high in fat and use proteins that are more digestible. Here are the steps you can take (it helps Rocky, and it took us some time to create a proper Menu over many years to fight Acute Pancreatitis).
Since Rocky (just as myself) is allergic to chicken, i use Turkey or Rabbit. We only use white part of the meat that has the lean protein (Turkey Breast or Rabbit Filet from the back). Tights shall not be used at the first two weeks since your notice the first symptoms.
Day 1:
Use over boiled starchy white rice. Feed in tiny portions 4 to 6 times per day.
Day 2 – 7 (if your furry friend is feeling better):
Boiled Turkey Breast or Rabbit Filet from the back for 2 hours. After cut the meat in very small pieces and mix together with over boiled white rice. Make sure you give it Room Temperature. Before serving I add a bit of hot water (by trying with a finger i make sure that its not too hot). Just like making food for a cub.
Feed in small portions 4 to 6 times a day. Better if you use this diet for at least 5 days.
Day 7:
If everything is going well, and your furry friend feels well, has a good digestion, shows no problems with digestion (you can understand it by touching your dog’s belly, if its soft = everything is good, if its hard = means that problem is not solved and problems can be more severe).
We take the case when everything is going well. At this point you can add over boiled Pumpkin (make sure that you boil it for 2 hours even the frozen one), drain it and make a Purée (no additives, just mash it). Add no more than 15% from total amount of Boiled Meat and Rice (Boiled Meat and Rice use in a ratio 2:1.5). Feed few times per day (4 to 6 times a day in Small Portions).
Important
If at the first day of the diet after first symptoms accrued your furry friend doesn’t show signs of recovering, go to the vet immediately. The vet will give all necessary medication and will prescribe a treatment and diet for recovering.
Very important, just as in ourselves, is a careful observation. Always observe a behavior of your furry family member and never neglect their needs and abnormal behavior.
We are in charge of their health and their lives since we decided to take care of them. They can’t say and they can’t take care of themselves, therefore we are in charge and must help them when they need it the most.
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