Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving. Lauren's words are so true, and your feelings for your sweet Sadie are one of deep love. When Sophie was ill (she was 13) and the second opinion vet told me she was in a fragile condition, she looked like a child in Dafur (not fleshy on her body but a little pot belly). She was losing protein and accumulating fluids. I also had difficulty sleeping and silly people would say the same "put her to sleep" or "she is old".

So, don't let anyone tell you differently because she is your beloved friend. The good and positive sign is she is frisky. When she is at the vet, I wouldn't hesitate to call whenever you feel the need to be reassured. Staying there will enable to vet to monitor her blood pressure and etc.

I am sending you this link http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kf.html. Please do not be alarmed. The knot could be an sac of fluid. Take good care and will watch for updates. Try to focus on her today and good health. It is so frightening when they are ill and I will tell you a secret: Sadie is here now, and we are never sure of the future, are we? Hug her and know you have friends in YT who do understand. Write until you feel you have expressed your feelings - Warmly, Deborah

update..
 

Well we do not have any results from the labs done today on Sadie. BUT... the lump on her stomach was a bot fly/larvae. that infested below her skin. Oh how gross! I didn't see it but my husband said they showed it to him in a clear little bag. So that was good it wasn't anything major. the vet said it happens.. apparently they are usually carried on rabbits. we do live in the country here in texas so I guess anything is possible. I am more concerned with the owls that have been spotted. One a few weeks ago the neighbor saw on top of their roof. they said it was a good 3 ft tall if not more. The hawks and coyotes scare me too. I try to be outside with them each time yet I do not think I would scare the hawks away from something if they wanted it bad enough. I have only seen one recently and it literally took my breath away it was so big. It probably had a wing span of at least 4-5 FEET! I will post more as soon as we get the results back. vet is testing for addisons disease and also pancreatis.

If nothing after these tests- she is referring us to a specialist. she also said that Sadie does have PLN when we asked her about it. Funny that she never mentioned that to us until my husband said something about what we had found on a link that was sent to me on that.

Her blood pressure today was 230. still too high. vet is currently researching an alternative med that she could be on to lower the bp.

just found out today..
 

that sadie was diagnosed with pancreatis! I am very uneduacated about this disease. I am not clear with the values and what they mean but- the vet told my husband that anything over 400- tests positive for pancreatis. sadies reading was 783! she has referred us to a specialist to see next week. i am sooooo worried! she has not vomited for 2 wks and she currently has a small touch of diarrahea. which she has for the past year had diarrahea every now and then. anyone that knows anything about pancreatis- please write. :-(

many people here have pups who've had or have pancreatitis. I believe it can be treated with meds and diet control. I'm glad your taking her to a specialist next week. i'm sure they'll be able to help with everything.

Will be sending prayers your way.

Hi. Did your vet do a complete blood panel on Sadie? It usually cost around $120-50 and is recommended for all senior pups. Sophie had pancreatitis and can be life threatening. I am sending you a link to help you understand the disease. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...creatitis.html
The most important advice I can give you is to "don't change food abruptly" or give anything that is greasy. It sounds like she is at the beginning stages because advanced is vomiting and bloody stools.

She probably has pain and her tummy may swell. There are several of us on YT who have encountered this disease, so just type in pancreatitis in search and you will find many responses.

Will be here to follow your thread and a specialist is a good thing. Otherwise, the vet just seems to give them Science Diet Prescription and medication. Science Diet does not have enough nutriments or protein.

Warmly, Deborah

Poor baby, so glad that she have you in her life to take care of her:aimeeyork

Oh yes, I will do whatever it takes to take care of her. She is my little angel and I love her so much. her momma is veryyyy worried about her. I have been loving on her sooooo much. picking her up and looking into her big brown eyes. she looks at me as if she is trying to say: 'mama, what is all of this about'? in the morning she climbs on up my chest before I am out of bed and she gives me morning kisses. (i pick her up to put her up in bed with me) I love her to pieces. her and her sister samie. I do not have any children. (at my age- 38...i may decide to just have yorkies) :-) they are my "everything" and I love them so.

Sadie's stomach is girgling so much
 

Sadie is laying next to me now and her tummy is making loud girgling noises. I have read that dogs suffering from pracreatis could have a ravenous appetite. and their stomachs can bother them. something about digesting food too fast and they feel hungry again. because she is always hungry. on the w/ends I had to start splitting her food into 3 meals because she gets so hungry. I think I read somehere on YT that maybe I can give her some pepsid ac and it could soothe her stomach. I am so scared to do that though. I have some in the house and she last had it 2 wks ago when she had vomited. It seemed to help. I just hate giving her pills but yet I think the pepcid could help her. Does anyone think so? If so -i will give it to her. I just hope someone responds quick enough tonight so that I can do something if it will help her. thanks in advance!

she did a complete blood work up. vet has run so many tests on her... we have reached are 5000.00 mark as of last week. and still no answers so she is referring us to a specialist now.

The full blood panel is very conclusive and shows protein levels, thyroid levels, etc. Three small meals is much better than large meals that don't settle in her tummy.

Pepcid AC is for humans, so I would talk with the vet (phone) before giving to her and insure of the amount is proper for your pup.

Warmly, Deborah

PS Sophie did take a form of Pepcid AC but only on the advise of the vet.

pepcid AC is ok for dogs. We give it to every animal in hosp to settle their stomach because they are getting so many meds the day of surgery on an empty stomach and we don't want them vomiting. Lots of people give it to their pets every morning to prevent acid reflux and bile vomiting before breakfast.

best to ask your vet tho to make sure it is ok to give with the meds she is already on.

I came here today to check on Sadie and found your latest update. I so feel for you; I can see how worried sick you are about your baby. That level you mentioned of 783, was it for AMYLASE? What other food are you giving her besides the Prescription Diet? They always seem to be hungry if there is nothing else added to that food.
You have been given some excellent advice here. I will keep checking in for an update.
Sending you a big, big hug,:ghug:
Lauren

I have been reading a lot of your posts. I wish I had your knowledge!!
Lauren

thats what i was thinking