[Dailydrool] Pancreatitis

[Patti Merlo]

Amy,

Sorry but I was a little behind on keeping up with the drools.  Reason - 
Belle our 14 yr old (also weighing 40 lbs) is battling a second bout of 
pancreatitis.  Speaking from experience it is good that you caught it 
quickly.  The first time Belle was diagnosed was back in January (on a 
friday), she started with diarrhea, we thought it was colitis and took her 
for meds.  She was a little dehydrated so they gave her subcutaneous fliuds, 
treated with meds and changed from Wellness dog food to Hills Prescription 
ID.  Took her back saturday for more fluids and they ran a CPL Pancreatitis 
test which was positive.   We are unsure what caused it but the only thing 
that was different was that she was getting a little peanut butter everyday 
a couple times a day when her 'sister' would get her meds for immune 
mediated disease for over a month.  Even though we used a low fat/low sodium 
PB it was too much for her system.  Belle bounced back very well.  A few 
months later at her annual her liver enzymes were elevated, don't know if 
they are related but keep an eye on them.

About two weeks ago we took Belle in because she did not want to eat, it was 
determined that she had an abscess or tumor above her back molar, so she was 
put on antibiotic Clavamox.  After 6 days of the antibiotic, last week she 
went from being her normal self one day to the diarrhea and vomiting this 
time.  Took her into the vet, more blood work and another CPL - full blown 
attack, her enzymes were off the chart on her blood work. (The same CPL test 
was run the week before and came back negative.)  Belle spent about 7 hrs on 
IV fluids on Friday, she was able to come home for the night and went back 
for another 5 hrs on IV fluids on Saturday and no food for 2 days. (can you 
see Belle's pattern of getting sick on a right before the weekend!)  We gave 
some sub-cue fluids on Sunday & Monday without much luck, so we have been 
taking her every night to get sub-cues at the vet office.  We have switched 
her to Royal Canine Digestive Low Fat food and repeating the meds.

My husband and I are being cautiously optimistic as she is getting better - 
we found out that this can change on a dime.  It has taken a little longer 
for her to bounce back but she is on her way. By Wednesday you could start 
to see some of her personality showing, Belle is now barking to be fed and 
has that little devilish basset look in her eyes.

Sorry for the long post, I hope it is helpful and that Claudia recovers 
quickly.  Be careful with the fat content of her food and treats (we are 
still using the kibble as treats for Belle, no cookies for her).

Feel free to email privately if you have any questions and please keep us 
updated on her progress.

Patti
Owned by Belle, 14 yrs (and 5-1/2 months but whose counting)
  and Heidi, 9-1/2 yrs (our immune mediated disease basset)