Pancreatitis?

[Libby D.]

I tried to search DK for discussions on pancreatitis & the search function doesn't turn up anything. I'm sure there is something on here about it, so if anyone can point me in that direction, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

We've had a crazy weekend so far, because our Captain decided to start throwing up on Friday. We thought he probably ate something since he is a big time chewer and does spend quite a bit of time outside. He was acting normal -- no poop issues, drinking water, playing normally. I fed him chicken and rice yesterday (Saturday), and he seemed to keep that down fine and everything else still seemed normal. Today, he had some more chicken and rice for breakfast and things seemed to be going well until this afternoon. I heard Captain upstairs and he wouldn't come back down when I called him, so I went to check on him. I found him trying to vomit and then when something finally did come up it was pinkish colored like there was blood in it. Needless to say, I am freaked out!

 

I got in touch with our vet who said it either sounded like pancreatitis or (less likely) acid reflux. He suggested I give him Prilosec 30 minutes before dinner tonight and keep an eye on him to see if that helps. If things are still the same tomorrow, we'll bring him in to run tests. Scary!

 

I hate when our little guys are sick & especially when all you can do is the waiting game.

 

Does anyone else have experience with their doods having pancreatitis (or acid reflux)?

 

Guess I'm just needing some doodley support right now!

 

***Update 1-17-11***

We just dropped Captain off at the vet for testing. At some point during the night, he threw up the chicken & rice, so the Prilosec didn't help. Now Guinness is confused because he doesn't know why we left his brother at the vet :(

 

Also, last night Russ found a little twig of mistletoe on the back porch. We looked around the yard & there is a tree that hangs over one of the corners that has mistletoe growing on it. So now we're worried he ate some of that.

 

I'm  hoping they figure it out soon & that he starts feeling better soon. I'll keep y'all updated.

 

***Update #2 1-17-11***

The vet called & said that the blood work came back with no problems. His pancreas looks fine. He also said that in the x-rays he didn't see any foreign bodies in his digestive tract. Yea!

 

He did have some stuff in his small intestine, so he gave Captain an enema and they are waiting for him to poop now. He also fed him and no vomiting yet, so fingers crossed we're over that.

 

He did a fecal and said that there was some bacterial overgrowth which is normal with GI issues. He'll put him on antibiotics as soon as he for sure isn't vomiting anymore.

 

Won't really know more until he poops, but at least 2 big things were ruled out. Thanks for all the support! We should know more in a couple of hours.

 

***Update #3 1-17-11***

The vet is keeping him overnight just to keep an eye on him. It sounded like he was doing great though -- keeping fluids/foods down. We'll see how tonight goes! Hopefully, we'll get some more news & I'll get to pick him up tomorrow morning!

 

***Update 1-18-11***

I talked to the vet this morning. Captain is doing well. He kept his food down and seems to be feeling pretty good. His poop is still really soft, so they are going to give him another big dose of Flagyl and see if they can get it firmed up before they send him home. I should be able to pick him up around 3:30 today. Sounds like it was just some kind of bacterial infection.

 

I've been through a lot with Guinness, but this is our first health scare with Captain, so thanks for all your doodley support!!!

 

***Update #2 1-18-11***

Captain is home!

 

I meant to post earlier, but I've been busy boiling chicken and making rice for him. He's on Flagyl and Prednisone for the next little bit. The general diagnosis was GI distress/Inflammatory bowel disease. If he isn't 100% in 7 days, they want to see him again, but we're hoping that he is back to his good ol' doodley self by then! Thanks again for all the well wishes and support!

 

Here he is hanging out with his brother after he got home:

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney was in the hospital last week with what I think was pancreatitis.  The hospital can't give us a cause.  He was throwing up after eating, poop normal.  They did the x-ray, thought stomach obstuction.  Do another x-ray 6 hrs. later - nothing.  But it did show his pancreous was swollen as well as the stomach and intestine walls.  What has Captain been eating.  We think that Rooney O.D. on his chicken jerky.  Don't panic but get him in tomorrow if he continues to vomit.  We have you in our prayers.

[Libby D.]

Thanks, Jane -- He had been eating Blue Buffalo Wilderness (Duck) - normal portions. Haven't had any treats that I remember lately. Since he does like to chew on things in the backyard, I was worried that it was some kind of obstruction. I guess since everything else seems normal though, the vet is leaning toward pancreatitis. We'll  see how tonight goes.

 

Sorry to hear Rooney wasn't feeling well last week. Hope he's lots better this week!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney gets Puppy Orijen and would vomit within 4-5 minutes of eating.  He also eats rabbit turds, dirt, grass, anything from the outside he can get in his mouth.  They treated him for parasites.  We will never have an answer.  But - make sure to take Captain to a hospital or vet that can do a ''soft removal".  When the dog is under they go down the throat with a scope to see what is in the stomach.  If it is something soft that won't damage the throat - they pull it out - like a sock.  If the facility doesn't have that equipment, they do surgery.  I hope it won't come to that and that it is pancreatitis, Rooney is doing great.  We have our paws crossed. Make sure to let us know.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 I'm sorry to hear of Captain's tummy issues! You are right about it being awful trying to help them when you don't know what the problem may be.

Tara has a fairly sensitive, acidy stomach and has thrown up to the point of throwing up blood twice. The first time was some months ago and then it  happened again this week. It seems that if anything out of the ordinary goes on in the household it causes her stress and the acid level rises in her tummy.

 

The first time we rushed her to the vets and he explained that with the acid and the wretching of the stomach when vomitting a blood vessel can break or tear. He advised that we feed her very small amounts of warm very soft food (chicken and rice) and also limit the amount of water given at any one time.  I feed her small amounts of food 4 or five times a day along with small amounts of water. I do not leave water down for her.  Also we keep her calm for a few days. This works well and she has healed nicely both times.

 

 I don't know that this is also Captain problem but the small amounts of food and water may be helpful for either acid problems or pancreatitis until you can have a vet look him over.

 

I know there are others on DK who have experienced pancreatitis with their doodles and may be able to give you more info about that illness. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Also it is always good to know if you have a 24/7 emergency vet in your area and their location and contact information. We keep this information posted on our refrigerator!

[Libby D.]

All great advice. Thank you.

 

After I got off the phone with the vet, my next thought was to check with our doodley friends -- seems like we can always find good advice (and support!) on here.

 

Luckily, we've got a vet school in town w/ a 24/7 emergency room, so if it ever came to that, it's good to know we have that resource.

[F, Calla & Luca]

We have had discussions on pancreatitis but right now they are hard to find. Here is one which may lead you to some others as swell as to some members with experience.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/help-i-need-advicelilly-at...

[Libby D.]

Thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Our Guinness had pancreatitis a couple of months ago.  He was vomiting and became very lethargic.  I took him to the Vet and she did some blood work and he tested positive for pancreatitis.  She kept him there for the day to give him fluids and anti nausea meds.  When he was finally able to hold down a little food she released him.  He was on the Pepto for a few days after (along with the anti nausea meds), and remained very low key.  It is something that has to be carefully watched, and it can be serious.  I fed him chicken and rice only for several days (in very small amounts)....he was eating about eight very small meals during this period.  The good news is that he got through it just fine.  It is usually caused by the dogs eating something with a high fat content, but that wasn't the case with Guinness.  His diet is very controlled (because he also has IBS), and he ate nothing unusual.  I know how concerning this is....you may want to have the Vet check him tomorrow, if only for your own peace of mind.  Please keep us posted, and I really hope this is nothing more than a little acid reflex.

[Martha & Cooper]

I am so sorry to hear that Captain is not feeling well.  

My last dog, Smokie had two bouts of Pancreatitis and it is no picnic.  I would definitely take him in for the tests, just to be sure.  Pancreatitis can be dangerous.  Sometimes they can get it from a high fat meal.  Smokie seemed to get it the first time after catching and eating most of a rabbit in our back yard.   Blood work should show if his pancreatic enzymes are elevated.  

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I have nothing to add to this discussion, except that my family will be praying for our doodle friend!! I just got on DK and saw your posting, and I'm so so sorry to hear that Captain is ill! I think you should take the Captain to your vet tomorrow, just so you know what you are dealing with. Let me know if you want to bring Guinness over to hang out with Knox during your appointment. I want to help out any way I can!!! Keep me posted!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I hope Captain feels better soon.

[Libby D.]

Thanks for all the well wishes! I don't know if it emails out when you update a discussion, but I added an update to my original post.