Our Shelby had his first attack of pancreatitis a year before his passing. He was quite ill, some vomiting but mostly diarrhea and loss of appetite. An abdominal ultra sound didn't show anything abnormal so he was put on meds (sorry I don't remember what they were) and he recovered but was never really the same. He had blood work done 6 months later and all seemed okay. Approximately 6 months after the test he became seriously ill, but there were no warning signs. As for being in pain I assume he was but Shelties are such a stoic breed that it was hard to tell how much pain he endured. I still cry thinking about it all. Ultra sound showed ruptured gallbladder. We were told that there was a complicated surgery but it carried no guarantees for recovery. After all he'd been through we decided we couldn't put him through anything more and he crossed the rainbow bridge. They told us most likely he had gallbladder mucocele which is uncommon but it occurs mostly in shelties. It can be genetic, or as a result of Cushings, hypothyroidism (which Shelby had),and steroid use. There has been a study done on gallbladder mucocele and the results and current updates are available on the ASSA website under health issues. I don't know if this is of any help to you but if you do read the study it does say that some sludge is normal. What happened to our Shelby was rare and doesn't necessarily relate to other pups with pancreatitis.
One sick dog.....Bacca, my boy!
- Thread starter BarbV
- Start date
Our Shelby had his first attack of pancreatitis a year before his passing. He was quite ill, some vomiting but mostly diarrhea and loss of appetite. An abdominal ultra sound didn't show anything abnormal so he was put on meds (sorry I don't remember what they were) and he recovered but was never really the same. He had blood work done 6 months later and all seemed okay. Approximately 6 months after the test he became seriously ill, but there were no warning signs. As for being in pain I assume he was but Shelties are such a stoic breed that it was hard to tell how much pain he endured. I still cry thinking about it all. Ultra sound showed ruptured gallbladder. We were told that there was a complicated surgery but it carried no guarantees for recovery. After all he'd been through we decided we couldn't put him through anything more and he crossed the rainbow bridge. They told us most likely he had gallbladder mucocele which is uncommon but it occurs mostly in shelties. It can be genetic, or as a result of Cushings, hypothyroidism (which Shelby had),and steroid use. There has been a study done on gallbladder mucocele and the results and current updates are available on the ASSA website under health issues. I don't know if this is of any help to you but if you do read the study it does say that some sludge is normal. What happened to our Shelby was rare and doesn't necessarily relate to other pups with pancreatitis.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
hepactic encephalopathy!!!! Need help!
Latest diagnosis
You've all heard me joking about Bacca on the forum about Eeyore. How he kinda bumbles around doing his sad-sack routine. While now I find out its not joke. He likely has this as a side effect of his liver issues.
My new vet and I have agreed on aggressive medical and dietary treatment for now. Neither one of us want surgery at this point.
The thing is that he needs his protein levels down, but whatever protein he ingests needs to be high quality and easily processed. I don't get all the nuances yet but its something about ammonia in the brain that is produced by the toxins in the blood stream.
I have receipes for home cooked and that might be the final answer. But if anyone has any ideas on commercial products (e.g. Natural Balance Vegetarin, Wellness Senior - both with reduced protein, for example) please let me know.
Latest diagnosis
You've all heard me joking about Bacca on the forum about Eeyore. How he kinda bumbles around doing his sad-sack routine. While now I find out its not joke. He likely has this as a side effect of his liver issues.
My new vet and I have agreed on aggressive medical and dietary treatment for now. Neither one of us want surgery at this point.
The thing is that he needs his protein levels down, but whatever protein he ingests needs to be high quality and easily processed. I don't get all the nuances yet but its something about ammonia in the brain that is produced by the toxins in the blood stream.
I have receipes for home cooked and that might be the final answer. But if anyone has any ideas on commercial products (e.g. Natural Balance Vegetarin, Wellness Senior - both with reduced protein, for example) please let me know.
Thank you so so much for telling me. I know how hard it must be to relive it. But know there was nothing you could have done differently. You are so right Shelties rarely show pain and that was my concern. I am so sorry you lost Shelby but know now he is not in any pain and is playing with all our little fur babies.
Thank you I will look up that article.
Thank you I will look up that article.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
On it! I've been googling for days. Eyes spinning,
HolisticFurMom
Forums Regular
You're not going to find any kibble on the market that is low protein and quality protein. The only ones I know of with free-range, properly fed and cared for animals, have higher protein amounts since a normal dog would need higher protein than what's in most kibbles. The quality brands I know of don't cater, sadly, to those animals with special requirements.
Home cooked will be the best option because you can control where the meat came from easier. With that, don't go pick up storebought chicken or beef. Go to your local farmer's markets or email local farmers so you can find people who actually care about their animals and feed and care for them properly. If you must buy from the stores, you need to search for labels that say " NO STEROIDS" It's not the same was hormones ... this is how they trick you. You need it to say no growth enhancements specifically or else you're feeding animals that have been given medicine that speeds up their growth, which will in return hurt your boy even more. Wellness and the like don't use animals who are properly cared for. They use animals that have never even seen daylight. Your boy needs more than ever animals who haven't had any drugs. Best of luck and remember it's vital you take control of his diet and take responsibility of finding out the animal sources you're giving him... you can't leave it up to a company.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
thanks for this. I sell raw in my store in various forms...patties and bones. I'm going to review the proteins. Perhaps I can use these as the basic meat protein if I choose to do a home cooked diet. My eyes are spinning!
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
And just because things couldn't possibly get better.....I found a deer tick on Bacca today. So how about a little Lyme disease on top of every thing else......It did not seem to be attached to his skin....I think. I was bathing him and felt a lump. Thought it was more matting.....nope, it was wiggling. Eeew! Now I'm going to have pat Indy down tonight as well. And good luck with that...finding a tick on Indy would be like a needle in a haystack. Fat, fat Sheltie pants!
take4roll10
Moderator
I would discuss cooked meals with your vet. I know Lew Olson's book says, red meats and organs are not good for dogs with liver shunts. I know most of the raw commercial patties have organs in them. I think she says, chicken (no organs and visible fat removed) and fish are okay proteins. I'm certainly no vet or nutrionist, so definitely consult an expert.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Yep, that's the page I'm currently on. My vet is sending me recipes. I can't believe it. I barely cook for myself, but suddenly it seems like I will become home chef for Bacca. 
