Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s mission is the advancement of science and education relating to EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), yielding useful insights and positive outcomes in better managing EPI in dogs and cats. Our goals are to support and/or collaborate with veterinary EPI research and researchers, and to promote EPI awareness by educating the general public, pet owners, pet organizations, rescue and shelter organizations, veterinary schools and veterinarians.
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Bobbysmum
Member
Posts: 2
Country: Ireland
Pet name: Bobby
My name: Sara

Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Post by Bobbysmum » 10 May 2023, 20:56

Hi all
Apologies if this is not the right place but I'm desperate for some help for my Jack Russell, Bobby. I adopted him 3 years ago and he's a rescue so we've guessed his age about 7. He is a very happy boy but last week, after a day of fun and playing, he vomited badly. I took him to the vet immediately where he was diagnosed with pancreatitis. He wasn't responding to treatment and was moved to the main vetinary hospital here in Dublin. He's been on an IV of pain meds, antibiotics etc. He is still in intensive care but is slowly improving.

I was shocked and terrified by the speed at which this happened. He seemed totally fine. I've been doing research to see how I can prevent this happening again, and I came across this site. Bob has low B12 according to the vet, a bloated tummy and is always hungry although doesn't lose weight. He never gets human food and eats low fat kibble and carrots.

I will ask my vet about this condition and show him the site but I wanted to ask if anyone has experience managing a dog after severe pancreatitis like this and if so, if there's any advice. He is my little boy and I would be lost without him so I'm massively stressed!
Thanks so much.

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jilbert57
Staff
Posts: 2090
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Post by jilbert57 » 10 May 2023, 21:18

Hi Sara and welcome to you and Bobby. I am sorry Bobby got pancreatitis it is a very painful condition. Low fat diet plus long term pain management is required to keep him comfy.

My jack russell was 13 when we came to this site in 2012 and his pancreatitis turned chronic, which means his pLi result never lowered back to normal values.

My vet recommended porcine enzymes to help his pancreas rest so I ordered Dianes enzymes from this site and all his food from then on was incubated with enzymes.

Mickey ate 4 times a day, 1/4 cup Royal Canin low fat gastrointestinal kibble incubated with 1/4 teaspoon enzymes mixed in and a tad room temperature water. Mix well and let set 20 minutes. Stir and serve .

He had the best poops when he was on enzymes and at one point he had mucous covered poop that required Tylan antibiotic to clear up.

He was on a low dose Tramadol for pain management daily.

Jill
My name is Jill and we live on the Hood Canal in Washington State. We currently have 2 Jack russells, TJ is 8 and Sadie is 2.

Mickey and his pancreatitis brought me to Epi4dogs.com site in 2012 to help manage it.
He lived from 6/99 - 8/2014

Mickey, Jack Russell. Chronic Pancreatitis. Dianes enzymes, 1/8t 3x/day with meals.

Bobbysmum
Member
Posts: 2
Country: Ireland
Pet name: Bobby
My name: Sara

Re: Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Post by Bobbysmum » 11 May 2023, 01:08

Thank you Jill for your comprehensive reply, I really appreciate it. I'm going to ask the vet about this plan. He seems to think Bobby's is chronic too but maybe this diet will help. Thank you again!

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Montgomery
Member
Posts: 418
Country: Canada
Pet name: Montgomery (I'm a CAT!)
My name: V

Re: Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Post by Montgomery » 11 May 2023, 19:37

Sometimes low calorie pet foods are really high in fibre, which may be causing his bloat.
Montgomery was born 20 March 2012. He eats extra lean ground chicken, lean ground pork and lean ground beef completed with Alnutrin and freeze-dried chicken liver, with hard-cooked egg. He gets two size zero capsules of Enzyme Diane's enzymes at each of his six meals, and a size four capsule of Tylan three times a day. He's a fierce little Spitfire with a roaring Merlin engine.

One40One
Member
Posts: 4
Country: New Zealand
Pet name: Star

Re: Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Post by One40One » 19 May 2023, 09:33

Omg I can't even imagine how you feel...

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AlexLake
Member
Posts: 1
Country: United Kingdom - Northern Ireland
State: Northern Mariana Islands
Pet name: Marusea

Re: Very scared for my dog with pancreatitis

Post by AlexLake » 07 Jun 2023, 05:33

Newbie here, but still glad to hear that Bobby is getting better. Pancreatitis can be scary, but it sounds like you're doing a great job taking care of him.

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