[Low Fat Food Ideas For A Dog With Pancreatitis]

My 8-year-old was hospitalized with 2 serious bouts of pancreatitis this summer, possibly triggered after receiving her first (and last) long-acting steroid injection for recurring GI inflammation. We just drove from MA to Florida and she is now fighting another serious bout, maybe due to stress of travel and change. Also, her immunity is very compromised from chronic carbon monoxide poisoning (see note below).

 

Diet:

She's been on Natural Balance Rabbit and Potato kibble & canned (after not doing well on ID, she did better on Royal Canine Rabbit--much healthier BMs). She's in a lot of pain and avoiding her food, especially kibble. Local Vet suggested I cook this for her instead, and she did eat it this a.m. -- yummy, I like it too!

 

Add to 1 carton of low-sodium chicken broth (4 cups):

• 3 large sweet potatoes cut into cubes (skin on), bag of frozen peas, and bag of frozen cut green beans.
• Boil then mash. Add/mix 1 can pumpkin.
• Boil 1 chicken breast, cut into cubes.
• Add chicken breast cubes to 1 cup of mixture. Feed 3x/day. Advised to add vitamins after she's improved.

 

Has your dog had adverse reactions to Tramadol, Metoclopramide, Cisapride and other meds prescribed for pancreatitis? Helpful history & tips appreciated!

 

Medications:

Soloxine .08 mg, 2x/day (cardiac/lethargy). Previously did okay on 1 1/2 Tramadol 50 mg tabs every 6-8 hours. However, since starting her late yesterday on 100 mg. Tramadol every 6 hours, along with Metoclopramide 10 mg., she becomes agitated, pants, and zooms around, tossing her animals and biting things--even trots throughout a short walk--behavior never displayed when healthy. She also started Cisapride this a.m. This reaction lasts 2+ hours. She previously ran around crying for 8 hours after taking Buprenorphine for pain but not Tramadol--maybe 100 mg is too much? Or maybe it's the Metoclopramide?

 

Note:

Compromised immunity due to 4+ months of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by a leak in my vented natural gas fireplace. Leak went undetected until a neurologist told me to check my home environment after learning that both my dog and I had been ill for months. Still recovering with lingering effects and setbacks, we are very grateful and lucky to be alive.

Lessons learned: CO sensors are programmed to only last 5-7 years, depending on when your alarm was made. My 6-year-old First Alert hardwired talking CO/Smoke detector's last recorded CO reading was 77 ppm but never alarmed. First Alert said that detectors made before 2011 have sensors that only last 5 years. Those made 2011 and later are good for 7 years. Although low levels of CO can make you very ill, most alarms don't go off until 70 ppm.

Please do: Even when batteries are replaced annually and detector alarms okay when "tested" the sensors may be bad. Tell everyone to look up the lifespan of their specific brand/model, learn what the "end of life" alert is (ex: # of beeps) and check the date noted on the back of their CO detector. If 5 to 7 years has passed, replace all detectors at the same time. While more expensive, consider getting a low level CO detector.

Smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years.

[Coenzyme Q10]

Good to hear Zuki is responding well!

My first greyhound had progressive heart disease and was on benazepril and spironolactone for several years. In her ninth year, when her heart condition dramatically progressed, her Tufts cardiologist increased her meds and she visibly started to fail. I reduced her meds and started CoQ10. Her cardiologist supported my decision and was impressed six months later to see she improved, stabilized, and had not progressed. Sadly, I lost her to lymphoma a few months after that visit.

 

I adopted another greyhound in August who retired last May after almost 200 races. Shortly after I adopted her, she went down lame after chasing a friend's dog and was not able to walk for several hours. I brought her in to a vet who heard a murmur. When additional blood work suggested a cardiac event, she saw a cardiologist who confirmed a leaking mitral valve. Fortunately, she appeared to have suffered a musculoskeletal event vs. heart attack. I started her on CoQ10 powder capsules (vs. oil) easily sprinkled over her food each morning. She is more energetic and hopefully will not need meds for a while.

 

CoQ10 and cognitive health is reduced in people on statins--this also applies to dogs: http://www.ncbi.nlm....ubmed/21763754. I'm a believer and started taking New Chapter CoQ10 whole food supplements: http://www.newchapte...0-food-complex.

 

Just wanted to give an update:

 

Zuki is responding phenomenally well to the CoQ10. He has more energy and more joy. It is clear from his entire expression that he is feeling better. I found the tip about CoQ10 from reading about heart disease and congestive heart failure on the internet. Because of its biochemical activity, I immediately felt that it would be good for Zuki. I discussed it with two regular vets (one a cardiac specialist) and our holistic vet. All were skeptical about it. But Marta Williams also said it would be good. I'm so glad I followed my own feeling about it. Zuki is really doing well with it.

 

The product I chose is a special high-purity preparation of CoQ10 suspended in micelles. The micelles provide a more direct entrance of the compound into cells. I would buy it again. I'm still cutting a small hole in one end of the capsule and squirting the stuff on some peanut butter, and giving it to him like that.

 

If anyone is wondering about giving CoQ10 to older or ill hounds, I can say that I recommend it.

 

Thanks again everyone for your information, feedback, and advice.