[Sarah A]

I’m really sorry you and your dog are going through that. It’s so scary and frustrating.

I second the recommendation for seeing an internal med specialist or at least getting a second opinion since your vet sounds (from your description) to not be recommending other supportive care. For example, did your vet prescribe Cerenia (an anti-nausea) or mirtazapine (an appetite stimulant)? Both of those can be extremely helpful in getting your dog to want to eat again.

It’s been almost a year since my dog (a standard poodle) had pancreatitis. It took her a long time (more than a month) to act normal. I ended up feeding her “poodle cakes” (sweet potato pancake mix (not the variety with sugar in it) made with chicken broth, non-fat cottage cheese and pumpkin with some salmon oil and a couple of freeze-dried chicken liver treats crushed and stirred in). Also “poodle noodles” (macaroni cooked in chicken broth with chicken). The pancakes were the first food she ate enthusiastically and that was after weeks of trying to tempt her with other stuff.

Best of luck with your dog!!
Sarah

[Sarah A]

It’s not always the amount of fat in the food but what kind of fat that is important. My vet told me that salmon (and other similar fish) are good to have in the diet because the oil is absorbed immediately in the upper most region of the digestive system whereas fat from beef and pork are not and they make the pancreas work harder. There are lots of other benefits of fish oil as well.

So I’ve been feeding my standard poodle a combination of Merrick Pacific Catch kibble with Wellness 95% Salmon (a “mix-in”, not a complete dog food). She likes it and has not had a pancreatitis relapse since having a severe episode in early May.

[Sarah A]

Hi Susan,

Thanks for responding. I’m giving the Tylosin in capsules. I know it tastes awful – I don’t let her taste it!

Talked to the vet yesterday. She said that even tho salmon might be higher in fat, it’s bioavailable fat that gets absorbed almost immediately in the stomach and therefore doesn’t make the pancreas work hard. The worst meat for a dog w/ pancreatitis is pork, followed by beef. Lots of saturated fat in those. She also recommended krill oil as a supplement – for the omega-3’s and to help her skin.

If anyone else has any other ideas I’m all ears. Lucie has gained a bit of weight back but she needs to gain more.

Thanks!!
Sarah

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