:( My Jack Russell was very sick last week and at the vets for three days. He had pancreatitis. Was on IV's ,pain meds ,anti-inflamatory etc. The vet put him on Hills Science w-d. (He weighs 34 pounds ,needs to weigh 25.We had him netuered and he takes steroids for allergies ,so the weight really piled on). He is off the steroids now.I am bathing him twice weekly for itching. He hasn't eaten for 7 days ,other than 10-15 pieces of Hills Dog Food. The vet says not to worry as along as he is drinking water and isn't lethargic. He plays a little. Appears depressed ,when we feed the other dog. I'm sure he is!:o She doesn't want him off the Hills Science ,because of concern of a re occurrence of the pancreatitis. He can't have treats ,definitely NO table food. How long can a dog last with no food intake? Thanks!

Trust your vet. You have a whole week without having to worry about her being closed for the weekend if you need to contact her. I would think a dog 36 % overweight could go quite a while, although the body can' store some nutrients. You might see my sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171

I agree with labman.

Vets usually don't charge for calls regarding follow ups to a visit. As long as your dog is drinking liquids, that is a good sign. It may just take a bit for him to bounce back and regain his appetite fully. If he starts appearing unusually lethargic, definitely call your vet. Find out from the vet if he/she has any suggestions to replace your dog's electrolytes that won't adversely affect the work you have done to control the pancreatitis.

His food intake should increase as he starts to feel better. I know you feel badly for him but he will eat when he feels hungry. He has been through a lot and is letting you know that he doesn't have much of an appetite. I can tell you from personal experience, that there is nothing off putting about that particular food. It is exactly what I feed my dog and she gobbles it up as if it is the best thing on earth! This is after having tried a multitude of other foods. My dog has a digestive problem due to a poor start in life, and all other kibble was too rich for her and did not have enough fiber. This is the first food she has been on that she hasn't gotten bored with or turned off to. It is very well balanced to your dogs needs. Please trust your vet. It sounds like he/she is doing what is best for your dog.

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Originally Posted by TexasLady4

:( My Jack Russell was very sick last week and at the vets for three days. He had pancreatitis. Was on IV's ,pain meds ,anti-inflamatory etc. The vet put him on Hills Science w-d. (He weighs 34 pounds ,needs to weigh 25.We had him netuered and he takes steroids for allergies ,so the weight really piled on). He is off the steroids now.I am bathing him twice weekly for itching. He hasn't eaten for 7 days ,other than 10-15 pieces of Hills Dog Food. The vet says not to worry as along as he is drinking water and isn't lethargic. He plays a little. Appears depressed ,when we feed the other dog. I'm sure he is!:o She doesn't want him off the Hills Science ,because of concern of a re occurance of the pancreatitis. He can't have treats ,definitely NO table food. How long can a dog last with no food intake? Thanks!

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The pancreas is a pale pink glandular organ nestled just under the stomach. It has two main functions: the production of metabolic hormones (insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar) and the production of digestive enzymes, which are secreted through a special duct into the intestine to digest our food. In the dog, the pancreatic duct frequently joins with the common bile duct from the liver. In this way both bile (a fluid used to excrete toxins as well as to prepare fat for absorption into our bodies) and pancreatic fluid, which is rich in digestive enzymes, enter the intestine from the same location. There are other hormonal products from the pancreas that assist in the regulation of digestion and movement of our food but the above description should present a basic picture of what the pancreas is there to do. Having said that, when its not working, it feels like a knife in your side. It hurts like crazy. Now he has gone all thro this only to be offered blande not so good smelling food. Here is one safe trick to try. Add some plane white rice to his I/D. Over cook it so its very mushy. This small change in appearance can lead to results of eating. Keep in mind just as your vet has suggested already, recurrence of this can be life threatening. It is very serious. Keeping his diet bland is going to be part of his life from hear on out. Besides those treats you see at the store have very little if any nutritional value if any at all. Basically boxed an packaged to make the owner happy not so much the pet. Lol

DocWill

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Originally Posted by TexasLady4

:( My Jack Russell was very sick last week and at the vets for three days. He had pancreatitis. Was on IV's ,pain meds ,anti-inflamatory etc. The vet put him on Hills Science w-d. (He weighs 34 pounds ,needs to weigh 25.We had him netuered and he takes steroids for allergies ,so the weight really piled on). He is off the steroids now.I am bathing him twice weekly for itching. He hasn't eaten for 7 days ,other than 10-15 pieces of Hills Dog Food. The vet says not to worry as along as he is drinking water and isn't lethargic. He plays a little. Appears depressed ,when we feed the other dog. I'm sure he is!:o She doesn't want him off the Hills Science ,because of concern of a re occurance of the pancreatitis. He can't have treats ,definitely NO table food. How long can a dog last with no food intake? Thanks!

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Maybe the vet will allow her to have a little bit of hill's caned AD,which is a mild can food.Pancreatitis is a hard sickness for a puppy to go through.

:)
Thank you all for your replies. Chuckie has lost 4 pounds since I last posted. He is much improved. Finally found an antibiotic that helped the infection that he was battling after the pancretitis.Zenaquin worked wonders for him in addition to Hills I-d food.Also have been giving him Capstar for the flea allergy. I cannot say enough great things about Capstar. It is fantastic.Without the fleas ,he is a much happier dog.He wasn't infested. BUt with just one bite ,his allergy was giong crazy. And I am happy when he is happy!:p

Great. Sometimes you just have to work with your vet until you find the right products. The right flea medicine is very important if the dog has flea allergies.

Congratulations on the 4 pound weight loss, almost 50% of the way.