Integrating Custom Recipes into Medical Programs for Dogs with Chronic Pancreatitis
What We Know About Chronic Pancreatitis
Dogs of any age can experience a bout of pancreatitis caused by consuming extremely fatty human food.
Middle to older age dogs with pancreatitis are generally suffering ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. In either case, there is a leakage of enzymes that break down protein and fat into the abdominal cavity.
These enzymes cause peritonitis (severe inflammation of the abdominal cavity wall) that produces the pain, vomiting, and diarrhea associated with the disease.
Which Ingredients Matter
Decreasing the fat content of the diet reduces inflammation and helps relieve the distressing symptoms as well as manage the disease in older dogs with chronic pancreatitis.
Our dog food recipes for pancreatitis have a calorie distribution of - Protein 47%; Fat 15%; Carbohydrates 38%, which is considered favorable for pancreatitis patients because they have fewer calories from fats than regular dog food.
These low fat, homemade diets decrease enzyme production in the pancreas and eliminate or reduce the number and severity of episodes of pancreatitis when use as directed.
Because of the restricted ingredients, low fat recipes should NOT be fed to normal adult dogs or puppies.
More Than Just Diet
Diet is only one tool for the management of pancreatitis, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive veterinary treatment plan. Such a plan may include:
· Periodic anti-vomiting medication
· Appetite stimulants
· Periodic pain relief
· Periodic antibiotics
· And rarely, but possibly, hospitalization with fluid therapy
Expecting dramatic results with just a diet change is unrealistic and may delay important treatments.
Don’t Use this Recipe If
If your dog has other conditions needing conflicting dietary restrictions (kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, urinary crystals and stones, diabetes, or cancer) Healthier Homemade recipes for pancreatitis may not be appropriate.
What You Can Do
Over time, dogs on these diets may lose the luster and softness of their fur due to the low-fat content of the diet to manage their disease.
We encourage owners of lymphangiectasia patients to work with their veterinarians to supplement diets (every other to every 3 days) with extra amounts of the soybean oil that is included in the Healthier Homemade program. The amount will vary depending on the severity of the patient’s pancreatic disease.
Soybean oil is the richest oil in the bioavailable essential fatty acids necessary for coat, fur, and immune health with the least amount of total fat.
Is it Balanced and Complete?
Please be assured that all Healthier Homemade recipes for pancreatitis exceed AAFCO and NRC requirements for all nutrients and meets the NRC minimum requirements for total fat and essential fatty acids.
Each Starter Kit includes a nutrition data fact sheet, so you and your veterinarian can see that all of the 42 daily essential nutrients are in the meals prepared with our recipes when used as directed.
Commercial prescription diets, especially kibble, may be unappealing. Freshly cooked meals make a difference!
Dr. Ken Tudor is a recognized expert and leader in the field of pet nutrition and fitness. In addition to co-founding a national campaign to help fight dog obesity, he developed a pet weight management program and served on the American Animal Hospital Association task force to develop their Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.