[Barry P]

What’s the best low-fat dog food for our beagle/bassett? She was just diagnosed with pancreatitis. The vet recommended (and sells) Royal Canin. I don’t like all the by-products.

[anonymously]

All processed foods contain by-products. Kibble and canned dog food are processed foods. There is nothing wrong with Royal Canin
I would listen to your veterinarian, see if she (your dog) stabilizes, at least give it a few months. If not, I would consult a Internal Medicine Specialist.

Some info you may find helpful at this site: http://skeptvet.com/Blog/category/nutrition/

[theBCnut]

The Honest Kitchen Zeal is the best, IMO.

[Coonhound Mama]

I would recommend The Honest Kitchen, too.

[Jenn H]

The Honest Kitchen Zeal is also what was recommended to my girl with pancreatitis/IBD.
Because she seemed to improve after her last bout and my bank account didn’t, I’m trying something else to transition to instead.
She’s also been on a Rx diet. I don’t care for the ingredients, but it’s kept her belly from getting angry. Hoping this new food works. If/when I find the right food I will likely feed Zeal at least part time.
Zeal is supposed to be the best choice because it’s potato & grain-free and doesn’t use chicken as the protein.
Hope your dog feels well & stays well.

[Marty R]

I have four shih tzu age 9. I switched to Royal Canin last October and as of three weeks ago all four have developed pancriatitis. The medical costs have been painful for me and I can only attribute it to their food. They initially were more energetic and seemed to be doing well on the shih tzu over 8 formula but I would not recommend it because that is the only change in their lives and has to be the cause. I am switching to Fromm and seeing how they do on that one.

[theBCnut]

I’m sure your vet has warned you that from now on you may have to always be VERY careful about the amount of fat in their diet. I’m not fond of RC foods, but I never would have thought it was possible that it could be the cause of your dog’s pancreatitis. I hope they are all recovering well and continue to be healthy.

[Becca]

thank you. I don’t think the cooked food did it, I’m grasping. the vet actually so he could go back to way he was eating in about five days. I think he’s gonna have to on this for life. would the digestive enzymes help with his severe acid reflux.

[Becca]

my dog is not overweight, he is actually losing more weight, never lost his appetite, he has a ravenous appetite. he inhales his food. he has acid reflux that slowly got worse over time. rushed him into the vet after he threw up about 10 times. he is on carafate and pepcid, vet said he could go back to normal eating in 5 days. he did the snap test for pancreatitis. said it was positive, he said give him chicken and potatoes or squash for 5 days then go back to his normal diet. i think i need to go back to my holistic vet, theres much more feedback for treatment and options, i cant see the bland diet having enough nutrional value without the vitamins. seeing the pancreas needs certain minerals etc. to heal. are there any other gi issues that could make the test positive for pancreatitis?

[anonymously]

No. It is a specific test to diagnose pancreatitis. That is why it takes a few days for the results and it costs extra, as they have to send it out.

[aimee]

Hi Becca.

The only real definitive test for pancreatitis is biopsy of the pancreas. The most specific blood test is the canine specific pancreatic lipase that is run by Texas GI lab, Spec cPL. Idexx lab also has the ability to run this test. But even that test is not specific for pancreatitis. If the test is negative ( a low number) it is very likely that your dog does not have pancreatitis. If the test comes back elevated.. your dog may have pancreatitis. The higher the number the more likely the pancreas is involved. But it isn’t 100% … you can have a high number and a normal pancreas or a low number and pancreatitis. The Snap test is a test by Idexx. If the spec CPL level is low the test is “neg” and if the value is above 200 (?) the test is positive. But you can have a spec cPL above 200 and not have pancreatitis. So a “pos” Snap test is not definitive for pancreatitis Definitively diagnosing pancreatitis is one of the hardest diagnosis to make.

[Anna V]

I was wondering if, what I consider, an “overload of meds” could possibly contribute my Yorkie being diagnosed with pancreatitis. He was put on Apoquel (one half of a 5.4mg dose once a day) back in February. He has been taking it for his itching. As of 4/4 he was seen by his vet because he started chewing on his front left foot, to the point of almost bloodying it. The vet insisted that we start him on a regime of Temaril-P and cefpodoxime, having me take him off the Apoquel for the duration of this treatment. No more than a day later, he refused to eat his food (I homecook for him and my other Yorkie) and begged to go outside to eat grass. He threw up all his food from the night before, and had ingested more grass than I thought he ate. I thought it would pass, but after going all that day and night without eating or drinking, I took him to the vet the following day. After xrays and a blood test, the vet came back with the diagnosis of “probably pancreatitis”. He wound up staying at the vet’s all weekend with IV hydration and antibiotics. On Monday afternoon, he was released, and I was given strict orders not to feed him ANYTHING but the Hills I/D prescription food, and Orbax liquid antibiotic. By Wednesday 4/13 late, he was refusing to eat again. Took him back to the vet and they did another blood panel, this time showing his amylase levels to be around 400, compared to the 1200+ when he was admitted. This vet clinic does not test for lipase levals (said they don’t have the computer program(!) for it). The good news was he wasn’t in need of admitting this time, gave him a shot of Baytril and a shot of Cerenia. He actually ate a small meal when offered when we got home, but had to syringe water to get him to drink. I asked whether I should add probiotics since Neo had so much antibiotics in him, and you’d have thought I asked if I should give them poison! These guys (vets) have NO faith in probiotics or digestive enzymes, or ANYTHING that smacks of “holistic” anything, and think I’m a completely brainwashed flake for even suggesting it, and politely implied it! They have me fearing for my dog’s life if I deviate whatsoever from their instructions for diet!

[sharon c]

I also have a shitzu that has had pancreatitis twice. The first time was from a store bought dog bone with the meat look alike stuff in the middle. It was the worst 4 weeks ever. I finally got her to a specialist. She gave her anti – nausea medicine and kept her on it for 2 weeks, she said other vets tend to take dogs off of it too soon. Pain medication, an appetite stimulant (because she was not eating) and an antibiotic. Her diet was changed to a grain free Chicken, sweet potato blend by Natures Recipe – most pet stores sell it. She was much better within a few days but all of the medication lasted about 2 weeks.
The second time she got kennel cough and was prescribed DOXYCYLINE – She got pancreatitis within 2 days. I researched Doxycycline and found that it causes acute pancreatitis in humans and they give o rat induce pancreatitis. DO NOT use it if your pup is susceptible to pancreatitis.

[Rosemary L]

I just lost my 12 year old Cattle Dog girl (Blue Heeler) to pancreatitis. It was horrible . . she was in so much pain. I’ve been told it’s caused by high intake of fat. We have two other girl Heelers . . . one 14 and one 10. The 10 year old has seizures and has been on seizure Rx for the past 4 years. Two years ago a lady told me she had done a lot of research and thought the ingredient – Rosemary – was the root of evil for seizures. Never feed a kibble that has Rosemary in it. The 10 year old has put on too many pounds with the Rx . . the vet says it’s because it slows her system down. I’d been rotating kibbles, looking for one that didn’t add to the fat problem. Tried Pure Balance, Wild Canine, and others. Didn’t realize the 12 year old was getting sick until it was too late. Looking for a suggestion to now feed to the 10 year old ? Thanks.

[anonymously]

https://www.chewy.com/nutrisca-grain-free-salmon-chickpea/dp/35033
Ingredients
Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Salmon Meal, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Salmon Oil (a source of DHA), Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Eggs, Natural Flavor, Tomato Pomace, Carrots, Cranberries, Apricots, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Proteinate, Biotin, Selenium Yeast, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Rosemary Extract

PS: I just noticed the rosemary extract (probably minute amounts) check with your vet first.
I have good results with this limited ingredient product.
Seizure disorders are often idiopathic, unknown cause. Sure there are triggers, some as benign as the weather….
Consult a specialist for a more detailed evaluation if the regular vet isn’t being helpful.

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