Alexandria C asked 2 weeks ago
Fr. Bulldog Pancreatitis, Yeast, Allergies, and Fish Oil Risks Question
Hi Dr. Kramer,
My 10 year old Frenchie Bentley was recently diagnosed with pancreatitis in July of this year.
What is a Natural Alternative to Itch Medication?
He has been on apoquil since he was about a year old recently since he was diagnosed with the pancreatitis. We noticed that when he’s given apoquil , he begins to drool. So we have taken him off of the apoquil and we our are looking for a natural alternative to help him with his allergies.
What Supplement Can I Give for His Immune and Gut?
He has yeasty paws and we’re wondering what supplements we can give him to help his immune system and his gut.
Can Fish Oil Omeg-3 Cause Pancreatitis?
His vet is saying that he cannot be given omega-3 supplements because they’re high in fat. Are there any other recommendations that you can provide to help him naturally with his allergies especially, he is on a low fat diet so he’s good in that regard.
Thank you for your time.
Alexandria & Bentley
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 5 days ago
Answer to Does Fish Oil Cause Pancreatitis
Hi Alexandria & Bentley! 🐾
Worried that fish oil is "just another fat" that’ll upset Bentley’s pancreas? Good news: Not all fats are created equal!
Think of bacon grease as the "villain" and Fish Oil as the "superhero" in this story.
Pancreatitis in Fr. Bulldogs
Pancreatitis can be challenging to diagnose with certainty. In many cases, the diagnosis is based on suspicion rather than definitive proof.
Pancreatitis is often an acute condition, though some dogs may develop a chronic form. For those cases, I recommend you see an internal medicine specialist.
Here’s the skinny on the situation:
Will Bully Fish Oil Omega-3 Cause Pancreatitis ?
Regarding fish oil, your veterinarian may be misunderstanding the role of essential fatty acids.
Fish oil is technically a fat, but not all fats act the same in the pancreas.
What Type of Fats Increase Pancreatitis Risk?
- High-fat meals
- Saturated animal fats (greasy foods, table scraps, fried foods)
- Sudden large fat intake
- Obesity and triglyceride spikes
Saturated animal fats (bacon, butter, table scraps) are like a loud party causing the the pancreas to shut down and flare with inflammation.
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
Unlike the "bad" fats (saturated fats found in table scraps or butter) that stress the pancreas, the Omega-3s in fish oil are powerful anti-inflammatories.
Veterinary internal medicine literature often recommends omega-3 supplementation in pancreatitis patients because it can:
- Reducing Inflammation:
- Lowers Triglycerides
- Improve immune regulation
- Support recovery, especially in chronic pancreatitis
Anti-Inflammatory: Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) help calm the systemic inflammation that characterizes pancreatitis.
Prescription Options to Apoquel for Itch & Allergy
If you're moving away from Apoquel for Bentley's itchies, we have a few "pancreas-friendly" options:
-
Cytopoint: A simple injection that stops the itch for 1–3 months. Safe and easy!
-
Atopica: A solid anti-itch pill that doesn't mess with the pancreas.
-
Stem Cell Therapy: High-tech healing for skin and gut issues alike.
Supplements Options to Apoquel for Itch & Allergy
Beside bully fish oil there are other bully therapeutic supplements that should be used alongside prescribed medications for skin conditions.
They are generally safe and often beneficial as part of both prevention and treatment.
Supplements For Pancreatitis
If your pet is experiencing an acute gastrointestinal episode, please consult your veterinarian before introducing supplements.
Adding one at a time is recommended to ensure they are tolerated.
Therapeutic Topical Options to Apoquel for Itch & Allergy
- ItchLess spray, shampoo, and conditioner
- Hypoallergenic shampoos and conditioners
Therapeutic Topical Options For Yeast Infection
For the mentioned yeast infection you can also include
Bundles: We have these in "Bully Bundles" to save you some holiday cash! 💸
Feel free to reach out with any other questions. Please send us the photos and lab results so we can assist you further.
Warm regards, and Happy Holiday Season ❄️🎅
Dr. Kraemer’s
