Severe Pancreatitis ?

[mommytoClaire]

Did the Vet note tenderness in the area of the pancreas? Was that one of the reason they suspected pancreatitis? I feel the same as others here. I'd be watching her like a hawk the next 24 hours. I would say if she isn't much improved by tomorrow, I'd be asking for an xray, or seeking a different Vets opinion. And don't feel you are over protective. That is our job, and quite honestly, most of the time our instincts are right on.

[Reptigirl]

Well they decided to keep her over night. She has returned to being lethargic and when they offered her food she did not eat. I brought up her FAVORITE canned food that she would NEVER refuse and she didn't even lick it.

My vet (and me) noticed her belly is tense (tight). That is why my vet said pancreatitis in the 1st place. I asked her to do an X-Ray and she "really doesn't think it's necessary". But if she does not eat by morning then she will do it 1st thing in the morning. I really wish she would have already done it but she seems to really think she just needs to get fluids. She was REALLY dehydrated by the time I got her in... uh, I just don't know!

She is keeping water down today so that is an improvement. She is seems slow moving and calmer then usual. She is peeing but no poo.

I feel at a lose! She is under the care of two different vets at the clinic both of which have always been super nice and helpful. Out of all the vets I have seen locally they really are caring & compassionate. I have been to so many vets in the last year and every local vet I have been to has been a total jerk or rude. I don't know if it's just me but I can't STAND a vet who thinks they know everything and the owner knows nothing... I may not have a medical degree but I do know my animals very well.

I looked all around outside to see if I could find ANYTHING she could have ingested. We don't use any pesticides or insect control because we have free range chickens. Inside all the cleaners are locked up in top cabinets.

[Pat]

Three thoughts -

Ultrasound is the diagnostic tool for pancreatitis, not x-ray - better interpretation if done by specialist and not GP vet
24 hour monitoring (not overnight alone)
Spec cPL test - can't be run inhouse, must be sent to Idexx, should have ALREADY been done

http://www.idexx.com/view/xhtml/en_u...s/spec-cpl.jsf

She's been sick for 48 hours now?

They are letting her drink water despite the possibility of pancreatitis?

I presume she is on a continuous IV drip rather than just getting subq fluids?

Sounds like the only thing they've done is blood chemistry - amylase and lipase - or have they run a full chem panel with CBC?

Pat

[GraciesMom]

I hope you get some answers soon, but you may have to be aggressive. Maybe an approach is something like..."for my own peace of mind, would you please do ultrasound and blood panel? I know you feel no necessary but I really need results cause I just have a gut feeling that won't go away."

[Reptigirl]

Pat ~ All I know about the blood panel was my vet wanted to test her kidney function & also ran a test to check for the enzymes that mean it's pancreatitis. All the tests were sent off and not done in house. That is why we had to wait so long for the results. I was told all the results came back normal.

The enzymes (amylase and lipase) we in normal range. Since the results came back normal they wanted to see if she would eat & drink. She drank water this afternoon but would not eat. When I talked to them before they closed she had kept the water down & has not vomited.

She "perked up" this morning but by mid afternoon she was lethargic again. I personally wonder if drinking the water did something (triggered something) that either has her in pain? or nausea?

She started vomiting Monday morning.

She is on a continuous IV drip

I'm sorry I don't know more about the blood panel they did. I will inquire more about it tomorrow.

[Reptigirl]

I feel so sick & helpless! Holly has not improved at all. She is extremely lethargic today. They are doing X-rays this morning. My vet did say that X-rays do not always show blockages but its a good starting point. She agreed an ultrasound would be best but they don't do them in there clinic. They have a floating vet that goes clinic to clinic to do them by appointment only. I called 2 other vets in the area and they told me the same thing. My vet is going to have a tech track down the ultra sound vet and see if we can't get her checked before the weekend.


My vet said that despite the fluids she is still really dehydrated She is also still very tender in the belly.

At this point they are still treating her like it's pancreatitis even though the enzyme levels showed normal. It seems they got the ball rolling on looking for a blockage as well but they ares still not convinced that is the problem. The vet said that usually with a blockage they will continue to vomit even when all foods are withheld. Holly has not vomited since being at the clinic. But she also has not had any solid food since Sunday night! She has not pooed either since Sunday morning!

I'm really getting nervous & upset that I might loose her. She has always been the healthiest of the 3! She has always been the least problematic one. I never thought I would be this worried about her. I have been slowly preparing myself that Blitz is on borrowed time but I never thought about losing Holly this soon.

[gamefanz]

Reptigirl, I've been following your thread and was so hoping you would post great news this morning. I really hope the x-rays show something. I cannot imagine the worry you are going through. My heart goes out to you and to Holly Keeping the faith that there is a solution TODAY
Becky

[anniemac]

I am so sorry shannon

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[Pat]

Shannon,

I believe that you need a specialty clinic/ER/hospital with an internist, 24 hour care, and ability to do ultrasound and other higher tech tests and procedures in-house. What about the original place that you went to the first night? I believe that Holly is insured as well as Flash and Blitz. X-rays aren't good enough, you need ultrasound. This is beyond a GP vet. You can't rule out pancreatitis based on only amylase and lipase. Time is of the essence. (I would also not have a dog on an IV fluid pump without continual monitoring.)

Pat

[Nicki]

I'm so sorry Shannon, just catching up and was so shocked to read this

Pat has given very good advice, it really does sound like your vets are not taking this as seriously as they should be - Pancreatitis is becoming more of a problem in Cavaliers.

I do hope you can get Holly moved to a better treatment centre esp with the weekend imminent.

You are in our thoughts x