Son's dog has troubling history BEFORE pancreatitis attack...Please help!

[Karen]

Where is he? It definitely sounds like something long-term, and could even be something as "simple" as food allergies. Have him read ingredients, and page strict attention to what is in what he's feeding her, and see what difference that makes in her stool consistency. Some dogs cannot tolerate grains, some have specific protein allergies, like King2005's pretty Digi, and where is he located? If he was up here, I'd recommend he talk to folks at Tufts Veterinary School, but if he's down there, I don't know what Universities have the best vet programs.

[king2005]

Where is he? It definitely sounds like something long-term, and could even be something as "simple" as food allergies. Have him read ingredients, and page strict attention to what is in what he's feeding her, and see what difference that makes in her stool consistency. Some dogs cannot tolerate grains, some have specific protein allergies, like King2005's pretty Digi, and where is he located? If he was up here, I'd recommend he talk to folks at Tufts Veterinary School, but if he's down there, I don't know what Universities have the best vet programs.

It took me soooooo long to write my message that I didn't see this.. Thank you for the lovely comment on Digi You should see her in person, as her fur flow is just sooo stunning! Walking her downtown Toronto is a nightmare as she draws HUGE crowds of people & I get trapped at corners for 30+ mins... I'm always late when I take her with me LOL

[Sher.Fla]

He is in south central PA, I am in FL... I think he mentioned in one of his letters that he had her on Hills Presc.
Diet Food, but she couldn't digest the rice and vomited it back up. I have no idea why the thought/knew it was the rice in this that she couldn't digest... maybe the vet assumed?.... I always thought rice was pretty digestible, but I suppose it is possible.

Also, this dog recovered from Lymes disease,too, if that means anything.I don't know when that was, but only that it was in her past.

Thank you so much for your replies. I will make sure he sees these. We are both grateful for your help...

[Karen]

Okay, if rice might be an issue, try sweet potato. Again, food allergies are tricky to figure out, but a relief when you know what to avoid.

[king2005]

He is in south central PA, I am in FL... I think he mentioned in one of his letters that he had her on Hills Presc.
Diet Food, but she couldn't digest the rice and vomited it back up. I have no idea why the thought/knew it was the rice in this that she couldn't digest... maybe the vet assumed?.... I always thought rice was pretty digestible, but I suppose it is possible.

Also, this dog recovered from Lymes disease,too, if that means anything.I don't know when that was, but only that it was in her past.

Thank you so much for your replies. I will make sure he sees these. We are both grateful for your help...

It could be the rice, but you wont know for sure until you feed it in an isolated environment. Hills is a low quality food & it has so much junk in it!!!
My vet handed me a few cans of Hills & told me to feed it to Digi. I looked at the ingredients & basically laughed.. ok I was more pissed off then anything, but I KNOW vets are not trained in this sort of thing, so I couldn't blame him 100%.. But in just about every single flavour of Hills, there is Dairy or some sort of Beef.
When dogs have allergies the most common foods are corn, grains, beef, & dairy. Of course there are other foods too, but those are the most common.

[Catlady711]

Has your son's dog ever been tested for parasites with a fecal test? The first thing coming to my mind is Coccidia.

http://www.animalhealthcare.com/hand...occidiosis.htm
Most pets that are infected with coccidia do not have diarrhea or other clinical signs. When the coccidia oocysts are found in the stool of a pet without diarrhea, they are generally considered a transient, insignificant finding. However, in puppies and debilitated adult pets, they may cause severe, watery diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal distress, and vomiting. In severe cases, death may occur.


However animals can have IBS like people do. Not really sure on treatment for those as I don't see enough of those at work to really remember what the dr's do for them.

If it was my dog I'd be inclined to go for a second opinon, fecal test, full blood work up, and possibly x-rays.

Sounds like the dog wasn't well cared for prior to your son getting it and may have some underlying issues that are still plaguing the dog.

Hope things work out ok, and the vet figures out what the problem is.

[Sher.Fla]

I don't know if she had a fecal test. I would hope so. I asked him that but haven't heard back yet. I think too he should get a second opinion. I know this vet did blood work, but I think it just had to do with the pancreatitus.

btw... would you cook/microwave sweet potatoes for the dog to eat? could you use canned if there was nothing added to them? do you feed them by itself? i have not had any experience with special diets..

Thanks again...

[Karen]

I'd just boil or microwave it, and mash it up with a fork. It is important NOT to add anything. Then, if she tolerates that, for example, he can add some plain chicken, and see how that goes. The point of an elimination diet is trying individual things at a time to rule things out. A day or so without protein from meat won't kill her, and it will give her something she may digest, see how it goes.