Chica Has Pancreatitis!!!

[RottyMom]

Just got back from the emergency vet's as Chica has not been herself for a couple of days but last night got the runs which by this morning had become bloody. She was lethargic and wouldn't drink anything. I feel really bad because she probably hasn't been feeling good for a couple of days and I just thought it was because of the extreme heat we've been experiencing here. I watched her closely...she'd seem to perk up now and then...but I had a bad feeling when she refused all water and even ice chips. (Her ears were swollen too? Vet's not quite sure what that's about...) so I jumped in the car and rushed her in...after x-rays etc...bloodwork...voila...pancreatitis...she has to stay overnight and hopefully I can bring her home tomorrow. This just sucks (although I know it could have been way worse and she's going to be ok)

and to top it all off I left here in such a hurry I left a pot of water on the stove and luckily all it did was burn the pot...(whew)

[rms78645]

How do dogs get that? I had it but it was the result of an invasive test. I hope she feels better soon!

[MontanaRott]

My pug Whitney had chronic pancreatitis that we finally figured out was the lamb and rice food they were on, it was just GREASY. She has a bout now and again, but I know her so well I catch it early enough that a couple of good doses of pepto bismal will usually nip it in the bud. From now on be very very careful with her food and treats watch the grease, that is the culprit. She should be fine, usually they get an antibiotic and this other stuff that helps empty their stomachs quickly, can't remember the name, looks like orange koolaid to me! Boiled hamburger and rice is what I feed Whit after a bout of it. Good luck and I hope Chica is better soon! Do you know what she got into?

[RottyMom]

I have no idea what she got into...I have to watch her like a hawk because she'll eat anything she can get...I had her off leash in the fenced off baseball diamond at a local park earlier this week...she may have eaten something there...or she may have gotten into the garbage...we always put it up when we go out or else it's all over the house...I phoned the vet and they said she's doing well and looks quite pleased with all the attention she's getting... so that's a good sign. I will definately know what to look for in the future. Montana..what do you feed the your dog after the your done with the boiled hamburger and rice?

[Judi W]

If you use the boiled hamburger, you must let it sit and cool and then take the fat off the top of the water after it hardens.

[RottyMom]

Do you think it could have been peanut butter? She had been getting maybe a half teaspoon twice a day when I gave the foster dog his antibiotics (I hid his pill in peanut butter). It's the only thing the I have added to her diet that was different. She had never eaten it before this week.

Thanks Judi for the tip. Does anyone know if green tripe would be ok to feed her?...I know it's quite digestable and i don't think that it has a high fat content.

[MontanaRott]

Whitney eats green tripe with no problems. After a few days on the boiled hamburger and rice, yes skim the fat! I rinse my hamburger after I boil it too, I put her back on her regular kibble. I would not feed Whitney peanut butter because of the high fat, I am sure it would set her off!

[RottyMom]

Originally Posted by MontanaRott

Whitney eats green tripe with no problems. After a few days on the boiled hamburger and rice, yes skim the fat! I rinse my hamburger after I boil it too, I put her back on her regular kibble. I would not feed Whitney peanut butter because of the high fat, I am sure it would set her off!

I guess we'll be doing the boiled burger and rice for awhile. The vet thinks she was probably allergic to the peanut butter since she also had very swollen ear flaps but no ear infection or anything. She seems to be right back to her old self today so we will watch her carefully and I'll take her to my own vet in a week or so. But no peanut butter ever again!!!!!

[Judi W]

Do be very careful to avoid fat and oils (no peanut butter I'd think). You do not want this to become cronic. If you are feeding raw, I would advise you to do a serious consult and reconsideration. It is very difficult to control fat in a raw home diet. I say this because my friend's dog had a flare up and because she was so very adament about her diet, she refused to change it and the poor dog developed cronic pancreatitis and IBD. Diet is critical.

[MontanaRott]

Very good advice Judi. You HAVE to watch everything she eats and READ label's and check treats etc for fat and oils. I look inside a bag of treats and make sure the bag is not oily looking. That is how I found the dog food was the culprit with Whitney, I opened a bag of the food and notice how oily the sides of the bag were. Changed the food and cured the problem. You for sure do not want this to become chronic, it is so painful for them. Watch her carefully if you are suspicious that she may have gotten something oily or greasy in the future and if there are ANY signs or if you have doubts start dosing her with pepto, it can stop it from progressing. Good luck and I hope she does not have a recurrence!

[Judi W]

Better than looking at the sides of the bag, put some on a paper towel and place it in the sun for a day. That will leach the oil to the paper. Fat content is also stated on the bag.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Better than looking at the sides of the bag, put some on a paper towel and place it in the sun for a day. That will leach the oil to the paper. Fat content is also stated on the bag.

Now that is a good idea, I am going to try that next time I am suspicious. I had carefully read fat content on bags before and it looked ok, and then the oily sides of the bag seemed to contradict the label on a couple of things we had bought in the past. I am wondering if it was because it was sprayed on after the fact and not cooked in?

[RottyMom]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Do be very careful to avoid fat and oils (no peanut butter I'd think). You do not want this to become cronic. If you are feeding raw, I would advise you to do a serious consult and reconsideration. It is very difficult to control fat in a raw home diet. I say this because my friend's dog had a flare up and because she was so very adament about her diet, she refused to change it and the poor dog developed cronic pancreatitis and IBD. Diet is critical.

I do feed raw and have already spoken to my vet in this regard and will talk to the animal nutritionist at the clinic next week. If it turns out not be the best thing then I'll switch her. I just want my dog to be healthy. Thanks again Judi and Montana for your input, it is very much appreciated.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by RottyMom

I do feed raw and have already spoken to my vet in this regard and will talk to the animal nutritionist at the clinic next week. If it turns out not be the best thing then I'll switch her. I just want my dog to be healthy. Thanks again Judi and Montana for your input, it is very much appreciated.

Well I hope she is doing well and let us know how it goes for her. Pancreatitis is so nasty.

[sweet Justice]

Oh, sweet Chica. Glad you are home and feeling a bit better.
Must have been a huge scare for your Mom! ~~That and the pot boiling dry!
Big scritches from up north.
Continued good health!!
Dawn (and your new buddy Justice!)