[kjc]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I am so sure that is what happened. I was grooming him and was really surprised at his reaction. The thought of pancreatitis never entered my mind since he was eating well and seemed fine. If he had a lot of teeth, I would have had a few holes in my hand.

They said he rested well during the night. No more vomiting and/or diarrhea. No lip smacking. So, they are going to start him with small bland meals.

I'd automatically think bad behavior myself, but I try to remember this little clue, because it's one time a bite or attempted bite should not be disciplined, it is truly only a response to pain... same as if you grabbed a dog's leg that was broken. When Gizmo comes home, he'll be his normal, sweet self once again.

Another easily missed sign is a dog walking with a slightly hunched back. In older dogs, who may be stiff upon waking up in the morning and tend to walk a little funny anyway, a very slight hunch (like a Halloween cat, but not as exaggerated) is also an indication of possible pancreatitis.

Knowing that pancreatitis can be deadly, and very expensive to treat, getting an early diagnosis can save a ton of money and the dog recovers quicker. When my Peek had it, I took him right in and he came home right after the office visit with medication to take. I was expecting to have him stay overnight with an IV but the vet said it early enough in the disease/illness process and that he would recover on the meds, but to keep a close eye on him. He did have a relapse two weeks later, and again I got him right in there, and back home on meds again. After the 2nd round of meds he did not relapse and I don't think he ever got it again (can't remember). He was about 7-8 years old at the time.