Question:

Dear Clare,

My border terrier was diagnosed with parvovirus at nine months despite vaccinations. In May 2009 (2 years 6 months) she was diagnosed with pancreatitis though this was not evident on ultrasound. She was treated with durogesic patches.

It was suggested that she be fed with prescription commercial dry and tinned food and chicken breast and rice. Unfortunately, since her pancreatitis she has had an aversion to boiled chicken breast which she previously adored. And she's not keen on tuna in spring water either.

I am seeking advice for a diet for her that is not prescription commercial. She is still having occasional days with pain and foul bloody stools. These episodes are reducing in severity and duration. She has always been keen on plain boiled wholemeal spaghetti, steamed vegetables, skinless, raw, fat trimmed chicken necks and dry food. She is presently surviving primarily on spaghetti and dry food (protein 25%, fat 8%, salmon and tuna) with an occasional reluctant pick at chicken and tuna. This is my attempt to keep the fat content low.

She sleeps a lot, is gaining weight, has a foul breath and recurring mucky eyes. She still enjoys a walk and a game with her ball.

Can I offer alternative sources of protein in the form of legumes such as soy, adzuki or lima beans? Which flavourings may I use to encourage her to eat them? Could she have a raw chicken neck? Are there any vegetables I should not give her - she is a dog who will try anything? Would digestive enzymes help and, if so, which ones? Would slippery elm help?

I am concerned for her health and seeking advice because I do not want to cause her further harm.

Kind Regards,
Lyndal Lance

Answer:

Dear Lyndal,

It sounds as if there are a few separate factors to consider here.

The first is that there can be a blur between a diagnosis of pancreatitis (high blood amylase levels with swelling or infection of the pancreas on ultrasound, laparotomy and/or biopsy) and a bout of gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea (which may show some rise in amylase and/or white blood cells on a blood test).

In many respects, it probably does not matter too much about the original diagnosis if the only residual symptom now is diarrhoea with blood in, as this is really irritable bowel disease or colitis, and less of an emergency than acute pancreatitis. The way to treat and/or prevent both pancreatitis and colitis is really the same.

Causes of both can be:

Cooked fat

Never feed cooked fat, eg, cooked steak fatty edges, lamb roast leftovers, or cooked bacon.

However, it is fine to feed raw fat. Raw fat is good for dogs and is a far better energy fuel for them than carbohydrate in the form of dry dog food, pasta, bread, or dog biscuits. It is therefore good to feed raw chicken/turkey necks, raw chicken/turkey wings, raw lamb necks or any cuts of raw meat/bone/fat that suit the dog and that she likes. It may be wise to gradually change the diet over about three weeks from the pasta and dried food to the raw meat/bone/fat and veges, to avoid a detox diarrhoea, which may happen as the body can at last rid itself of toxins that may have been stored in the liver for a while on the high carb diet.

It is good and safe to feed nutritive oils which are liquid at room temperature - fish oil, cod liver oil or coconut oil - as all these are valuable Omega 3 nutrients and will not cause pancreatitis, and will only contribute to the colitis if she is allergic to any of these which is unlikely. For dogs allergic to fish, use coconut oil or coconut milk or hemp or borage oil as an Omega 3 source.

Drugs

Drugs, especially corticosteroids, and vaccination, can all trigger autoimmune pancreatitis or inflammatory colitis, so if any were given in the one or two months leading up to the pancreatitis episode, it is very important to blood titre test every three years instead of regularly vaccinate, or use alternatives to corticosteroids for skin allergies.

Stress

Stress is a common cause of pancreatitis or colitis as adrenalin reduces blood supply to the gut, reducing optimal function. Changes such as the owner going away for a short while, a child leaving home, illness or bereavement in the family or even a dogfight, can trigger intestinal symptoms. Homeopathics and flower essences are ideal treatments for this pattern. A great herb to settle diarrhoea symptomatically is slippery elm bark powder. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can also be very useful for treating a tendency to intestinal complaints.

A separate issue you have here is her runny eyes and being overweight. Just from a nutritional point of view, you should find this diet will help her easily lose weight and improve her immunity so allergic/infected eyes will be less likely.

For more details on the diet see the article on Natural Diet for Dogs and Cats on Clare's website. www.claremiddle.com