Why is my senior Shih Tzu constipated & vomiting after pancreatitis?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bonita. It is unlikely that she is constipated unless she is straining to defecate and only producing small firm stool. She will likely defecate soon, but it can take awhile after having diarrhea. The diarrhea and vomiting emptied the gastrointestinal tract. After she is eating normally for a period of time, then she will begin having regular bowel movements. This can take a few days in some cases though. So I would not give her milk of magnesia at this point. I hope this information helps!

I am so sorry that Bear is so sick at the moment! Yes, pancreatitis is extremely painful, but the pain may be able to be managed with pain medication. The best person to speak to about this is your vet, and you can discuss pain management with you for him. I hope this helps answer your question, I'm sorry you both are going through this!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. It is difficult to say for sure what the problem is since I do not have the lab work in front of me. If she is having symptoms of pancreatitis she most likely needs medications to help relieve these symptoms along with initiating a low fat diet. I would also want to know why she is now developing pancreatitis and at her age, I would strongly recommend an abdominal ultrasound if she is not improving. Prescription diets like Hills low fat I/D might be the best for her long term. If you have not initiated a bland diet, please follow my guide below. If there is no improvement or she worsens, you should take her back to your veterinarian for a recheck, further diagnostics and treatment. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular diet.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Bear! He is probably uncomfortable if he keeps getting up and rearranging himself. With the vomiting it makes me think his belly hurts and he is nauseous and that is why he can't rest comfortably or eat. Possible causes of vomiting, not eating and an uncomfortable belly are: pancreatitis, a foreign body that is stuck, inflammation of the stomach or intestines from viral or bacterial infections or from eating something that doesn't agree with him. I recommend that you take Bear to your Vet as soon as you can. Based on their physical exam they may want to do blood work and X-rays of his belly. Based on the results they will know how best to get him better! I hope this helps and good luck!

It sounds as Momori is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking him to the vet the first chance you get, he will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection he will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor guy! Pancreatitis can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and belly pain. It is a cause of vomiting and diarrhea but it isn't the only cause. Other causes are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, toxin ingestion, IBD, food allergy/intolerance or reaction to eating something outside or a new treat/food/people food. Since he has been low grade vomiting now for 2 days it is best to have him seen soon if it continues. It is encouraging that he is eating. I would be sure you fasted him for 12-24 hours then resume feeding with a very bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Make the meals very small. Only offer small amounts of water. If he is lethargic, won't eat and the vomiting continues even on a low grade scale he should be seen before the weekend. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!

Once I have ruled out other concerns such as parasites and blood work to rule out other concerns I usually dispense a medication called metoclopramide. This stimulates the GI tract to keep moving which usually decreases bilious vomiting. I am usually able to use once daily, but it can be used up to three times daily. I would encourage you discuss this possibility with your veterinarian. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.