Pancreatitis

[AmandaJ]

Have a horrible feeling my dog is having another attack. Gave her a turkey bone two weeks ago (i know now i shouldnt have), and i tried her with new heart tablets this week (she seems to be sensitive to a few brands) last night she was sick once so only gave her 1 piece of chicken for lunch and that has been it for the day.

she has been sick again tonight - first time at midnight and has just been sick again so off to the vets first thing in the morning i think

One of the problems with pancreatitis is that when the pancreatic fluid gets into the gut it starts to eat the gut lining. Any change to a diet with a gut which is damaged (or drugs/poisons) can cause the dog discomfort - not to mention that it is also a primary cause of leaky gut syndrome. Without giving the dog something to help repair the gut (and replace the lost stomach enzymes) not only will the dog continue to have problems but it will fail to get the nutrition from the food you give. Colostrum is well known for it's ability to heal (and seal) the gut (and intestines) and a proteoletic enzyme replacement will help too. The enzyme replacement can be done in 1 of 2 ways - with a supplement (Enzyplex) or naturally - Pineapple or Papaya (both contain high levels of proteoletic enzymes).

Good luck

Edited to say that the proteoletic enzymnes are necessary for breaking down proteins in food - but it serves very well as a worming product too - it disolves the worms...

Edited December 3, 2010 by AmandaJ

[sllebasi]

thanks for that, will add that to my list of questions to ask the vet. i hate hindsight because everything that has happened over the last two to three weeks is now jumping at me and screaming something is not right.

have put symptoms down to thunderstorms and we are going on holidays soon and she 'knows' and it is all lining up now to pancreatitis

edited to add: vets treating my dog for a case of pancreatitis. With previous history and current symptoms, plus the fact that it is the weekend, she has been given the needle and antibiotics plus no food for the next 24 hours. Vet thinks that I have caught it in time, have kept her well hydrated so is not concerned yet and will need to go back on tuesday for blood tests if no improvement. Completely forgot to ask about this,as was too worried about food, diet and talked about fish oil and vitamin E.

Edited December 4, 2010 by sllebasi

[yellowgirl]

Thanks for that info AmandaJ. Gosh, the Enzyplex is expensive isn't it? I'm looking up some extra info about digestive enzymes and found this site about Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency ... http://www.healthypets.com/expaine.html

[AmandaJ]

It can be VERY expensive. Unfortunately most will treat the enzyme deficiency but not the damage to the gut and without treating the gut you run the risk of secondary problems and you also don't get the full benefit of the enzyme replacers. Colostrum in first feed for mammals starts the process of intestinal colsure. Until that time Immunoglobans are directly absorbed via the gut and intestines. If closure is not achieved then you have leaky gut syndrome and all sorts of nasties can leak into the rest of the body. Because pancriatitis weakens the gut wall you have the same problem - therefore mother nature to the rescue - colostrum. There is plenty of science behind the use of it for many things - and unfortunately just as many which have no real scientific basis. It is important for those who use colostrum to make sure they get either natural, fresh (not easy as it comes from a dairy or cattle farm) or the powdered 100% colostrum from NZ. The NZ pastures appear to be much cleaner and healthier - hence a better quality product.

[cavNrott]

Thanks for the info Amanda. I have just placed an order for some NZ Colostrum Powder 100%. My girl has been fine since her acute pancreatitis attack and so I need to take measures to keep her well. I will also order Enzyplex so I have her covered from all angles.

[AmandaJ]

I will also order Enzyplex so I have her covered from all angles.

Before you go to the expense of Enzyplex try pineapple or papaya - they are both high in proteoletic enzymes and a darn site cheaper....