galgrey

Oh no! I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I lost my Chloe suddenly to hemangiosarcoma. Such a shock. I am so sorry, Jo.

Me too, Robin!

It's been a long time ago and treatment modes and medication of choice changes, but in my former life as a vet tech, Viokase and a prescription or homemade diet was the usual management course for dogs with chronic pancreatitis. I remember we saw it most often in minature schnauzers and yorkies. Anyway, Trudy's correct about Viokase being animal based rather than plant based. The term "pancreatitis" simply means inflammation of the pancreas -- it's a description of the condition of the organ, but doesn't explain the cause. Pancreatitis can result from a blow or physical trama to the pancreas, an overly fatty diet, some chemicals or medications can cause the pancreas to become inflamed (organophosphate insecticides for example), an infection (bacterial or viral), etc. Several years ago a coworker had a dog (schnauzer mix) who had been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. The little dog was very overweight at the time. Her vet prescribed the Viokase and a prescription diet. She didn't stick with the diet and continued to give the little dog fatty treats and even poured gravy over the prescription kibble. Sadly, the dog had another severe attack and died. Her vet said it was shock/clotting issues from the pancreatitis. She told me she thought the vet was a quack and refused to believe that "a little fat could kill a dog".

My greyhound, Keno, had a severe pancreatitis attack shortly after I adopted him. I had given him a pig's ear and it almost killed him! Anyway, after he got out of the hospital, I did a diet similiar to the one you described above to let his pancreas rest and I gave him Prozyme. When I eased him back to kibble, I continued the Prozyme and was very careful about what he ate for the rest of his life. He only had one other attack, a minor one this time because I recognized the symptoms and acted quickly. That attack was triggered by a friend giving him food was on the forbidden list. He thought "just a little fat won't hurt him". Wrong! Probiotics and digestive enzymes are both beneficial for digestion but aren't the same thing. Prozyme contains plant based enzymes(amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase) that help the body increase the use of the nutrients in foods and take some of the digestive burden from the body. Probiotics are are small organisms that help maintain the natural balance of microflora in the intestines. Acidophilus is one of the more common ones -- it's found in some brands of yogurt. I've read that some people say you should not take probiotics with antibiotics, but I always do. Any time I have to take an antibiotic I always get a yeast infection if I don't take probiotics at the same time. Antibiotics always gave Keno terrible diarrhea (because they kill off the good intestinal bacteria along with the bad bacteria), so he always got probiotics too. Good luck. Pancreatitis is very serious, but it is manageable with good nutrition and supplements.

Oh, I'm so very sorry.

Great news! Fatty lipomas are pretty common in older dogs and do seem to pop up fast. Two of my senior greys and my senior weim developed them. My vet did an aspiration biopsy and eased my very worried mind.

My Keno had LP. Hugs to you and Alan!

Double congratulations!! :confetti

I'm so sorry for your loss. Many of us know all too well the pain, anguish, and disbelief you are feeling. I hope you can find even a small piece of comfort in knowing you're among friends who know and understand.

I'm so very sorry.

That sounds very encouraging! I'll cross my fingers too -- that there's nothing left to biopsy.

He IS handsome! Congratulaltions!

Robin, I'm so very sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Oh no! I'm so very sorry.

Hope every day brings more improvement!

Congratulations on your new addition! Welcome home, Grant!

Sending all manners of healing thoughts your way!

Welcome and congratulations!

I'm so sorry. I know all too well how how much it hurts.

So true. Gone from our sight but never our hearts.

It's difficult to tell from a photo, but the appearance is similair to a histiocytoma. I would your vet look at it right away to make a definitive diagnosis. Please let us know what you find out. Hoping along with others that it something benign.