pancreatitis

Question
I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD CHIHUAHUA WHO WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATITIS. WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE HER OFF ALL PEOPLE FOOD, SO NOW SHE IS ON SCIENCE DIET, AND DOING MUCH BETTER, PHYSICALLY. MY HUSBAND HAD ALWAYS FED HER SMALL AMOUNTS OF WHAT HE WAS EATING, AND NOW SHE ACTS SO PITIFUL AND NEGLECTED WHEN HE NO LONGER SHARES. IS THERE ANY SAFE PEOPLE FOOD WE COULD OCCASIONALLY HAND FEED HER, THAT WOULD NOT AGGRAVATE HER PANCREATITIS. MY HUSBAND IS CONVINCED SHE IS STARVING TO DEATH AND WOULD BE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO FEED HER THAT OCCASIONAL TREAT.I ALWAYS HEARD THAT EGGS WERE GOOD FOR DOGS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.

Answer
Good morning, Jeanean.

Because pancreatitis is broad diagnosis for inflammation of the pancreas, it's hard to tell what foods are triggering an episode.

Eggs are very good for dogs, and if you choose to share them with your Chi, you'll want to make sure they are not prepared with butter, etc. as sometimes fats can cause an pancreatic episode.

The best thing to do would be to check with your vet to find out which enzymes were elevated during your Chi's episode with pancreatitis.  Based on this, you will be better able to make a choice about what treats you can give.

Generally speaking, lean dehydrated chicken is a good treat to offer.  Rather than sharing food that may cause a problem for your Chi, I would find some lower fat treats such as dehydrated, lean chicken and offer those to your Chi when you are feeling bad about not sharing with her.

Otherwise, training her not to beg while you are eating will help you feel better about not sharing.

Good luck.

Gail E. Vigneault