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Originally Posted by Britster  To be honest, I'm not sure about the amylase. They never mentioned anything about it. All they ever told me was high was the lipase and his dehydration were always up by 1-2% (for example, these numbers are probably off, but let's say normal is 61%, he was at 62%). The last visit she wasn't as concerned about dehydration levels.
I am pretty sure it was definitely pancreatitis. I mean, it just makes sense. I don't see what else it could be. But I was kind of left with a bit of uncertainty. I almost felt like I spent over $1500 for them to tell me he has a sensitive stomach. 
So here's my question... can something like pancreatitis 'create' or trigger something like IBS?
Does this sound like an acute case? So since he's had it once, he's more susceptible to having it again? Is it fair to say "he HAS pancreatitis" or "he HAD pancreatitis" or "he's prone to pancreatitis"... lol. I just don't know.
For the future, I think I am going to ask for a cPL test to be done straight away. I don't really understand why it wasn't in the first place but *shrugs* what do I know?
I'm just almost questioning if all of those sub-q fluids were even worth it? I mean, at $47 a pop (and I believe they inserted them 4-5x) it was an easy way for rack up my bill, and they never changed anything with the in-house bloodwork. And each time I went in there for bloodwork (which was 3x, I think), it cost me $140ish each time. I just wonder if the whole process was completely necessary at this point. But because I didn't know a whole lot about it, I didn't want to question anything, and I think they knew that. They would show me all the charges on the screen and I'd just say 'okay' and sign off on whatever and I really think I need to become more in control. |
Can't answer many of your questions, but the sub-q fluids are worth it, so many times people/animals have died from just dehydration. Most modern medicine involves not so much miraculous drugs that cure us, but just a "safe haven" until our body mends itself.
I think you might be asking if Jackson has acute or chronic pancreatitis. Acute is when they are actively fighting it, and chronic means it's a lifelong condition. From my understanding, you have to be extremely careful at least a year after a case of acute, so I would just tend to think of it as "chronic". I mean to give you an official diagnosis Jackson might have to get sick multiple times, but it’s very possible you can prevent that. Each time he gets sick, more damage is being done to the pancreas, and some dogs never recover from a single attack. You could "experiment" on Jackson and learn more solid facts, but the facts wouldn't be worth the pain that Jackson would have to go through. Doctors can't always give a clear answer on what caused what or what the condition really is and this is even true with humans and we can verbalize the symptoms.
Bottom line is you have to have faith in your vet, I think so many people bash vets and say they recommend food, immunizations etc, because they are money grubbing do such a disservice to vets and pets! Are there some vets in it for the wrong reason, sure, but you are much more likely to find a money grubber in other professions. To be a Veterinarian takes years of study and the field generally attracts people truly dedicated to animals. Now, some of the suppliers to veterinarians may not have such altruistic motives, but I truly believe, in general, you can fairly easily find a vet that isn’t trying to rip you off.