Hi all,

My dog Jagger is now about 15 months old.  For the past 3 months, we have been dealing with recurrent pancreatitis.  We have made a significant number of dietary changes.  I'm hoping that by reaching out, someone might be able to provide some helpful advice. 

History: I really prided myself on rotating his proteins pretty frequently.  He'd get a 1/2 cup of kibble (changed about every month; a different protein each time); 1/2 cup of wet food (changed whenever he'd run out usually about every 3-4 days; I always aimed for 'human looking food'); and a fair number of treats since we were training him (pretty good quality stuff).

We went out of the country and family members watched him.  He went through a bout of separation anxiety and really wouldn't eat or drink for 3-4 days but slowly got better.  He had his 1st birthday and was given a good slab of steak.  When we returned, I started him on Orijen Five Fish.  I really wasn't looking into the fat content of these diets; and overall thought, "Fish?  What could be better?" (FYI, it's like 30% fat)

In July, he was hospitalized overnight for pancreatitis, amylase and lipase were through the roof.  IV fluids, buprenoprhine (for pain), Pepcid, Cirenia (antiemetic). Started on wet foods the next day and we were sent home without complications. 

My mischeivous boy ate a slab of solid body moisturizer made of cocoa butter and shea butter and other lovely oils about 7-10 days later.  I didn't murder him, but I was close.  We were just getting better!  FYI, even though it's oil from the cacao seed; it's not toxic like chocolate, at least per my vet!

Since then, he's had these bouts of hacking cough that I've equated to dry heaving and bouts of vomiting.  Each time it happens, I back him down to broth and rice, and slowly advance him.  I just brought him to the vet today with food refusal (better now), 2 bouts of vomiting, the loudest bowel sounds you've ever heard, and hacking/dry heaving every 10 minutes since 6am!  After labwork (results pending), Pepcid injection (he vomited his dose this afternoon), and nothing looking critical enough to warrant another hospitalization, I'm doing a lot of nursing at home.  The vet has proposed possible IBD setting off pancreatitis, but awaiting lab results before discussing further.

My goal diet:

1/4 cup wet food (Weruva Chicken Soup or Jammin Salmon) + 1/4 cup dry food (Annamaet Grain Free Lean) in AM.  Same ratios in PM.

Weruva only has 1.4% fat and is chicken and pumpkin (link http://www.weruva.com/dog-cuisine-funky-chunky.php).  Annamaet is chicken, duck and herring with 30% protein, 7-9% fat (the lowest I could find without sacrificing protein or having an unidentifiable protein source which seems to be the case with the prescription diets; link http://annamaet.com/products/dogs/grain-free-for-dogs/44-lean-formula).  

'Supplements'

-Probiotics (Trader Joe's 1/2 tablet each day)

-Omega 3: Nordic Naturals fish oil 1 capsule a day (helps with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins especially with a low fat diet; helps with joint pain prevention which we experienced with our previous corgi; and maybe some cardiovascular benefits too)

-A new player is InClover OptaGest: contains inulin, protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase; I thought overall to help with digestion and maybe ease up on stimulating his pancreas so much.  

-I purchased Animals Apawthecary with ginger and mint to help with nausea/upset stomach.

Other medications

-Pepcid 25 mg daily.

-Hydroxyzine 10 mg daily.

-A new player is carafate slurry.  1/2 tab mixed with water.

Sigh... Any thoughts?  I'm very open.  And appreciative.  Thanks in advance, all!

(Jagger also says, "Thanks guys!")