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Thursday 09th of September 2010 |
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Pancreatitis - dog health experiences
Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Joy Location: Pomona,/New York/USA I have a 12 year old Shiba Inu who has chronic pancreatitis. He has had "attacks" for about 9 years. At first we did not know what was wrong. When he was young his attack would be vomiting, walking very carefully (as if on eggshells), shaking, not eating. For about 24 hours he would act this way. He would get these attacks about 2 times per year. No trip to the vet, no diagnosis. When he was 8 he had a severe attack that landed him in the hospital. At first they gave him pain meds, a fluid pack, nausea meds and took blood. He came home the same day. The next day the vet called with the blood results and said he has pancreatitis (elevated pancreatic enzymes) you need to bring him right over. For 5 nights he received IV fluids, IV antibiotics and was in a nebulizer chamber. The vet kept saying he was going to be okay. After 5 days, he was okay and came home. However, now we know that all of his attacks were different bouts of pancreatitis. His diet has been changed. He only eats low residue from IAMS. He still has attacks about 2 times per year. I take him to the vet (emergency) for pain meds, fluid pack and nausea meds. He seems to be okay. As he is getting older, his bounce back time increases. -------- Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Ed Location: State Island, NY USA My experience was only about a week ago (January 6th.) My 9 year old Shiba-inu stop eating and was just lying around the house. I brought him to my vet and tests were performed. His white blood cell count was at 29000 (which is high). They thought that it was an infection of some kind, so they sent me home with some antibiotics. It seemed that nite he got worse. I brought him back once again and he had a ultrasound performed on him which showed that he had acute Pancreatitis. His legs totally colpsed and he was not able to stand. He stopped eating and all he did was drink water. He was put on IV's with antibiotics...His Glucose level skyrocketed to 500. On Sunday he turned for the worse. His white blood cell count was now at 32000, but his glucose was now at 410. His kidney's were enlarged and he started to develop fluid around his legs which made them fat. The Vet tried everything that he knew to try and control it and reverse the numbers, but it was just so bad that I had to make that heart wrenching desision. I asked the vet to give him a few days more on the meds. He agreed. On Monday, I went there and got word of no improvement and it was getting worse....I now needed to do what was the humane thing to do..... I said goodbye to my pal! As of today, I still question if there was something else I could have done to help him better. I search the internet for answers....but even a answer that would have maybe helped him won't bring him back...so I guess I have to resort to the fact that I did do the right thing! -------- Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Dave Location: Toronto/ON/Canada Maggie a Border Collie/Lab cross, went in for her shots, about 3 weeks ago.The vet noticed her weight dropped from 72 to 60 lbs and wanted to do some checks. Maggie had been drinking alot of water,had been getting finicky on her food and generally slowing down.[She's 9}. After a diagnoisis of Pancreatitis she was taken off food and fitted with an I/V to heal the inflamation for 3 days. When they tried to restart, she refused to eat and had to be force fed, so they could start the insulin. She was also sent to a Vet Emergency, who had an internest. after two weeks and $8000, we brought Maggie home. She still was not eating, could hardly walk and died 3 days later. How do you know when to quit? I asked the Vet she was still doing liver and thyroid tests ? -------- Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Rebecca Location: Vicco/ KY/ USA Sat Feb.23 I took my 10 Yr.old Doberman (Jazmine) to get her annual shots. She was fine.I left the Vet at 1:30pm and by 2:00pm she wasn't herself. She didn't want to eat. She was breathing hard, shaking, fever,and could hardly walk. Sunday morning 4:30am we took her to the ER vet( who wasn't her regular) and they thought it was a reaction to the shots. Go home and sleep it off. Monday morning not any better we took her to her regular vet. They said Pancreatitis. Liver enzymes over 6000 (possible). She showed no signs of anything wrong before the shots. No vomiting or any normal signs. I only feed her dry doog food. This is day 5 in the hospital. No food or water only IV. I don't know what will happen But I am looking any advice I can Find.... becky_gayheart@yahoo.com -------- Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Holly Location: Columbia/Tennessee/U.S. My dog was diagnosed with pancreatitis when she was about two years old after vomiting repeatedly and consuming massive amounts of water. She is now eight and has had numerous bouts with this ailment since that time. After managing her disease for six years I have noticed that there are certain things that can trigger an episode that were not mentioned as causes by my vet. People food (obviously), high-fat dog treats and food, an excess of rawhide bones, and, suprisingly, most weight-control formula dog foods. After reading labels continuously trying to choose the correct dog food I have learned to avoid the "good" fats that are supposed to improve a dog's coat. Even in small quantities, such as in weight-control formula foods, these fats can make my dog very sick and were not mentioned as a possible cause by my vet. I have been so happy that in the past year Purina has begun marketing a dog food for, "sensitive systems" that has been good for my dog and is much cheaper than the dog food sold by my vet. In addition to this I also give my dog yogurt treats and frozen fat free vanilla yogurt (usually mixed with a very small amount of apple sauce to sweeten it) in the summer, so she still feels like she's getting a "treat". Keeping her hydrated also helps her stay healthy, so mixing a little low sodium chicken broth with her water ensures that she drinks plenty. Every dog is unique and it has only been since I began noticing specifically what made MY dog sick, not just what the vet says can make dogs with pancreatitis sick that she has been truly healthy. Since then she has gone about a year and six months without another episode. I hope this helps anyone with a dog dealing with pancreatitis and allows them and their dog to find their own dietary plan that works for them. -------- Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Heidi Location: Woodbury, MN Have a 10 yr old male rottie. He had severe pancreatitis in fall 2004 twice he was hospitalized within a 6 week period. He is now on a low fat diet. He is very thin - never been overweight - always looks ribby. His last blood test showed abnormally high liver enzymes - over 6000. Ten days later it was high, but at 600. Anytime he shows signs of stomach disturbances, I panic. Today he vomited, doesn't want to eat, and has had diarrhea since yesterday. My vet recommends removing all food and liquid for 24 hours and then slowly introduce food. Have to hold off til tomorrow! What I know about caring for a pancreatitis afflicted pet: It is usually brought on by a sudden high fat meal, sausages are a no-no. After initial episode, most dogs have to remain on a very low fat diet for the rest of their lives. To protect their pancreas, more small meals is better than one or two large. I feed him every 4 1/2 to 5 hours. I have learned to read the labels to determine that the maximum level of fat in anything (food or treats) he eats is less than 10%. Not much out there to choose from. Only a couple types/brands of dog food with that criteria. Please, anyone else out there with more info? Please share. Thanks. -------- Pancreatitis dog experience Dog Owner: Carole Location: Brownsboro, TX USA We have two dogs from the same household who have Pancreatitis. They have come down with it at about the same time. Our little Poodle mix had a lipid reading of about 2400 & we were able to bring her home and are having to give her an IV twice a day & meds, but nothing by mouth. Our other dog, the bigger dog had a lipid reading of over 6000! She's in the doggie hospital. We're not sure what's going to happen. We've been racking our brains trying to think of what's the common link between the two of them. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks -------- If you have personal pet experience with Pancreatitis share your information here - Click Here If you would like to share information on a different disease or condition - Click Here
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