Pancratitis and diabetic 12 year old

[Karenbk33]

Hi,
My dog Luci has been diabetic for almost 3 years and today she started throwing up and acting very funny.. I called our vet and took her in and now they have said she has pancratitis. She will be 13 in January and I can tell she is just not feeling well. They have given me an antibiotic, put her on an IV and gave anti-vomit meds. Now they are telling me to come and get pain medication. I am not a huge fan of the owner of the vet office I go to... he acts like you are bothering him when you come in and ask questions but he will tell you what is going on only if you ask and he will tell you in medical terms..it is a hard situation. I love the staff and they have taken care of all our family pets since I can remember but I am lost and confused about this new diagnosis. She is a german sherperd mix and a very loved and great dog with my kids.. any help would be appreciated. I saw a thread on here about this but can no longer find it..thanks for your help.

[CraigM]

Re: Pancratitis and diabetic 12 year old

Welcome to the forum! Guess I've been very lucky that Annie hasn't had pancreatitis (knock on wood). I'm sure others who have experience will join-in later. Out of curiosity, what food have you been feeding? I think I understand foods that are high in fat may help to cause pancreatitis??

If you would like, tell us a bit more about Lucy. Insulin used, Lucy's weight, do you home blood test, and anything else you would like to share

Craig

[amydunn19]

Re: Pancratitis and diabetic 12 year old

Hi and welcome! My Maggie has had several bouts of pancreatitis. Initially, hers was brought on by a copperhead bite and once they have had it, they have a tendency for it. It can be caused by diet, trauma, or even medications. Some breeds are at higher risk so there is a genetic component and diabetic dogs also are at risk for pancreatitis just due to the fact their pancreas is damaged.

Basically, your dog's pancreas is inflamed and it will take a little time to heal. The best thing to use is a bland diet, the drug cerenia for vomiting and we always use tramadol for pain. During Maggie's bouts, I used boiled chicken and broth(homemade) because she wouldn't eat the prescription food.

I have identified certain foods that seem to upset Maggie's stomach and I don't know if fat is really as big of a factor for her. Potatoes always keep her stomach upset so I avoid those.

Can you think of anything that may have set it off? I have read about member's dogs getting into some snack of theirs and the fat content was just too much.

[sherryandfred]

Re: Pancratitis and diabetic 12 year old

Hi,
My dog Luci has been diabetic for almost 3 years and today she started throwing up and acting very funny.. I called our vet and took her in and now they have said she has pancratitis. She will be 13 in January and I can tell she is just not feeling well. They have given me an antibiotic, put her on an IV and gave anti-vomit meds. Now they are telling me to come and get pain medication. I am not a huge fan of the owner of the vet office I go to... he acts like you are bothering him when you come in and ask questions but he will tell you what is going on only if you ask and he will tell you in medical terms..it is a hard situation. I love the staff and they have taken care of all our family pets since I can remember but I am lost and confused about this new diagnosis. She is a german sherperd mix and a very loved and great dog with my kids.. any help would be appreciated. I saw a thread on here about this but can no longer find it..thanks for your help.

hi and welcome...my fred has been Diabetic as well just about four years now..and this past summer he got very sick to..took him to the vets they said the same thing could be pancratitis they gave him antibiotic and he has his pain meds for his hips as well so he took that..within three days he was a totally normal dog again eating and back to his normal self..i know certain foods bother him like heavy gravy or his wet dog food if its more than a couple of table spoons. so i try to stick to a small amount of it..each time i give him more than he should have.. he either throws up or has bad stools...so i would as well stick to a bland diet and find out what triggers it..keep her on her meds you will see a change in her in no time.. best of luck..

[Monsters Momma]

Re: Pancratitis and diabetic 12 year old

Hi and Welcome from Vinny and I!
I really don't have any experience with pancreatitis, but others have on this forum! You will find lots of help here...you have found a very good place!
Good luck and keep coming back!!
Mel

[Danielle N]

Re: Pancratitis and diabetic 12 year old

Hello and welcome, you have found the best source of information and support out there. My silky terrier Ollie has severe pancreatitis and was diagnosed with diabetes last December. It took me months of trying to make him eat prescription vet food before I decided it was a life and death situation. I went against all vet recommendations for food and medication, he was on enzymes to assist in absorption of food, acid reflux pills and allergy pills, I stopped everything. Turns out he has a grain allergy and all of the vet foods were just making it worse! I tried all kinds of new foods, most of which failed miserably and all the while his BG was on a rollercoaster I finally and gratefully found Honest Kitchen in the knick of time...it literally saved his life and helped us get his diabetes to a manageable level. You have to be very careful of fat content (I wouldn't go any higher than 6-8%). The two products that I have found do not agitate the pancreatitis are HK Preference which is a base and you add your own protein source, I boil a chicken breast and HK Zeal, which is a complete meal. These two products have eliminated his flare ups, I tried to introduce a 3rd HK product Embark but it was too high in fat and sure enough back to the vet for the anti nausea shot etc. He is also on a maintenance dose of Metronidazole which has helped immensely. I'm not sure if I've helped at all but if you have any specific questions I will try and check in through out the day.