Pancreatitis

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by drabinowitz43

Oh my goodness, please don't think that, I so much appreciate your advice and support. You are correct. Joey is only in pain when picked up and that is improving drastically today. Someone said it and it is true that i think he was reacting to anticipating the pain as that started right after the tiny kitten jumped on his back. The kitten is a tiny, skinny little thing at 5 weeks old, but he must have hit the injection site and Joey being the little drama boy he is, became fearful of that pain. Believe me, I would rush to Oradell if I were that worried. I feel better now. Joey is drinking water nicely and going outside to potty again. He is stable right now. I don't know the symbol for the lipase test and so bear with me and I will now post more test results.

PH 7.38
HCO3 24.2
PCO2 44
ANGAP 20.5
TCO2 25.5
NA 157
K 5
CL 118
WBC 13.68
NEU 10.53
LYM 1.36
MONO 1.56
EOS .19
BASO .05
RBC 7.47
HGB 18
HCT 54.5
MCV 72.9
MCH 24.1
MCHC 33
RETIC 29.7
PLT 532
MPV 6.24
PCT .3
PDW 18
%NEU 77
%LYM 9.9
%MONO 11.4
%EOS 1.4

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see a Lipase level at all and according to our bloodwork levels, the amylase isn't high at all. These two results are generally an indicator of pancreatitis.

According to my bloodwork results, all these results are within normal limits, except hemoglobin which is actually high, and cholesterol which is slightly low.

A SPEC cPL is a Canine GI Panel and involves a serum Spec cPL level, a Trypsin-like Immunocreact (TLI), Cobalamine (b12) and Folate levels. This is the true test to confirm pancreatitis or other intestinal issues.

I know it is very imtimidating, but learn what these tests mean if high or low. Pancreatitis can be a lifetime problem. A low-fat food, in addition to reading all labels for treats and not adding flax seed or fish oil can be instrumental in managing.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see a Lipase level at all and according to our bloodwork levels, the amylase isn't high at all. These two results are generally an indicator of pancreatitis.

According to my bloodwork results, all these results are within normal limits, except hemoglobin which is actually high, and cholesterol which is slightly low.

A SPEC cPL is a Canine GI Panel and involves a serum Spec cPL level, a Trypsin-like Immunocreact (TLI), Cobalamine (b12) and Folate levels. This is the true test to confirm pancreatitis or other intestinal issues.

I know it is very imtimidating, but learn what these tests mean if high or low. Pancreatitis can be a lifetime problem. A low-fat food, in addition to reading all labels for treats and not adding flax seed or fish oil can be instrumental in managing.

You're right. His Amylase value is normal.

This may be helpful to you:

Douglas Island Veterinary Service - How to read lab test results

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see a Lipase level at all and according to our bloodwork levels, the amylase isn't high at all. These two results are generally an indicator of pancreatitis.

According to my bloodwork results, all these results are within normal limits, except hemoglobin which is actually high, and cholesterol which is slightly low.

A SPEC cPL is a Canine GI Panel and involves a serum Spec cPL level, a Trypsin-like Immunocreact (TLI), Cobalamine (b12) and Folate levels. This is the true test to confirm pancreatitis or other intestinal issues.

I know it is very imtimidating, but learn what these tests mean if high or low. Pancreatitis can be a lifetime problem. A low-fat food, in addition to reading all labels for treats and not adding flax seed or fish oil can be instrumental in managing.

the vet had to diagnose with something though and so i am thinking they did the in house spec cpli to confirm and there was no lipase or triglycerides here. Many vets are now doing in house spec cpli tests as the lab ones take 3-4 days to come back so thinking this is what this vet did to diagnose. Dex amylase and lipase were normal when he was really sick and when he was feeling better the numbers were through the roof so i really do not put much credence anymore to amylase and lipase when determining pancreatitis - it can be used but is not always accurate is what i found as we tested it a ton and each time it was all over the place but his white blood cell count was high and triglycerides were high. I am going to make sure our vet carries the in house spec cpli and anyone who has a pancreatic dog should make sure of this as well -- sometimes you have to treat the dog not just blood work as i kept asking why is he so sick and the amylase and lipase are normal as i was getting frustrated and they confirmed along with ims and our dermatologist also said those two values are not always accurately as she learned in vet school you cannot soley rely on them

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

You're right. His Amylase value is normal.

This may be helpful to you:

Douglas Island Veterinary Service - How to read lab test results

depends on the lab who tests it and why each lab has normal values on the blood work for their specific lab

[drabinowitz43]

The tests that came back abnormal were the PLT %LYM %MONO and %EOS. I have no idea what this means. It says CPL Pancreas Lipase Test, abnormal results. I am going to follow up with the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know what these tests relate to?

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by drabinowitz43

The tests that came back abnormal were the PLT %LYM %MONO and %EOS. I have no idea what this means. It says CPL Pancreas Lipase Test, abnormal results. I am going to follow up with the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know what these tests relate to?

Look in the second section. It explains those values:

A typical blood chemistry panel usually includes

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by drabinowitz43

The tests that came back abnormal were the PLT %LYM %MONO and %EOS. I have no idea what this means. It says CPL Pancreas Lipase Test, abnormal results. I am going to follow up with the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know what these tests relate to?

the cpl test abnormal is the spec cpli test so that is what your vet diagnosed pancreatitis with and that is the most accurate of all tests for pancreatitis

[dwerten]

ALB
Albumin
Serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, enteritis, hemorrhage, liver and kidney disesase.


ALKP
Alkaline Phosphatase
Protein that is related to liver damage, Cushing's disease, steroids and active bone growth in young pets. This value is significant in cats


ALT
Alanine Aminotransferase
Indicator of active liver disease. Does not indicate cause or reversiblity.


AMYL
Amylase
Associated with pancreatitis or kidney disease, especially if elevated.


AST
Aspartate Transferase
Increased levels can indicate liver or skeletal muscle necrosis/damage.


BUN
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Kidney function property. Increased level of nitrogenous waste products (proteins) is called azotemia. Kidney, liver and heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock and dehydration can cause abnormalties.


Ca
Calcium
Can be an indicator of tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease and low albumin. Abnormalities can be a sign of a wide variety of conditions.


CHOL
Cholesterol
Used to help diagnose hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing's disease, diabetes mellitus, etc.


Cl
Chloride
An electrolyte that can be lost with vomiting and Addison's disease. Increased values often indicate dehydration.


Cortisol


This is a hormone used to test for Cushing's disease in a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.


CREA
Creatnine
Kidney function property. Helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of elevated BUN.


GGT
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase
Liver enzyme which indicates diesase or cortisol excess.


GLOB
Globulin
Blood protein that often is increased with chronic inflammation and certain disease states.


GLU
Glucose
Known as "blood sugar". Greatly elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus. Low levels can cause collpase or coma.


K
Potassium
An electrolyte that is lost with diarrhea, vomiting or excessive urination. Increased levels are associated with kidney failure, Addison's diesease, dehydration and urethral obstruction. Elevations can lead to cardiac arrest.


LIP
Lipase
A pancreatic enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis or abnormal blood fats.


Na
Sodium
An electrolyte lost with diarrhea, vomiting, kidney diease and Addison's disease. Can also assist in indicating hydration status.


PHOS
Phosphorous
Elevated levels are associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and bleeding disorders.


TBIL
Total Bilirubin
Elevated levels may indicate liver or hemolytic disease. Aids in diagnosing anemia and bile duct disorders.


TP
Total Protein
Indicates hydration status and can be additional information in liver, kidney, infectious diseases and more.


T4
Thyroxine (total)
Thyroid hormone. Decreased levels are associated with primary hypothyroidism (dogs) while elevations are associated with hyperthyroidism (cats). Abnormal findings are confirmed with further thyroid function tests performed by an outside laboratory.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The complete blood count is a common test performed on both pets and people. It can give invaluable information about hydration status, anemia, the body's ability to form blood clots, infection and the ability to mount an immune response. A CBC is essential in pets with fevers, vomiting and/or diarrhea, weakness or pale gums, not eating, etc. The CBC is useful in pre-surgical evaluation to detect bleeding disorders or other abnormalities.


HCT
Hematocrit
Measures the amount of red blood cells. Detects anemia and dehydration.


HGB, MCHC
Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration
Oxygen- carrying pigment of red blood cells.


WBC
White Blood Cells
Basic immune cells of the body. Increase or decrease can indicate certain diseases or infections.


GRANS, L/M
Granulocytes, Lymphocytes, Monocytes
These are specific types of white blood cells.


EOS
Eosinophils
White blood cell that can indicate allergic or parasitic conditions.


PLT
Platelets
Cells that allow the body to form blood clots and stop bleeding.


RETICS
Reticulocytes
Immature red blood cells. Can indicate if anemia is regenerative or not.


FIBR
Fibrinogen
Important clotting factor. Increased levels may indicate pregnancy in dogs who are 30-40 days pregnant.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by drabinowitz43

The tests that came back abnormal were the PLT %LYM %MONO and %EOS. I have no idea what this means. It says CPL Pancreas Lipase Test, abnormal results. I am going to follow up with the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know what these tests relate to?

were these high as if so that is all tied to white blood cell count which is infection and that happens with pancreatitis as the dog gets toxic and if severe enough the pancreas will eat other organs -- I know it sounds gross but that is why it is so serious. How is your dog acting? any pain?

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by drabinowitz43

The tests that came back abnormal were the PLT %LYM %MONO and %EOS. I have no idea what this means. It says CPL Pancreas Lipase Test, abnormal results. I am going to follow up with the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know what these tests relate to?

Platelets were slightly high
lympocyte % was low - indicating infection
Monocyte % was high - indicating infection
Eosinophil % was high - can indicate parasites

Here is another site that may be helpful for reading bloodwork....
Understanding Blood Work: The Complete Blood Count (CBC) for Dogs

[TLC]

Oh my darling Joey....

Donna, I am so sorry for your baby boy. I know you are trying to do everything right for him...

I don't know much about Pancreatitis, but the gals that are posting do, so I am glad you are getting good advice.

K/D is no good for LS babies. It has pork or pork fat or pork liver in it (I can't remember exactly), but it is no good for LS babies.

I think I gave you Dr. W the nutritionist from Cornells info He is great and could help you with a homemade diet that would work hand in hand with Joey's Liver Shunt issues and the Pancreatitis. Let me know if you need it again, or anything else

I hope he feels better soon

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by drabinowitz43

It says CPL Pancreas Lipase Test, abnormal results. I am going to follow up with the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know what these tests relate to?

I forgot to add that if this test was done in-house, it could have just been a lipase level. In-house results are definitely faster, but not complete enough information to accurately diagnosis. To do a full SPEC cPL, it needs to have these four levels measured: cPL, TLI, Folate and Cobalimine. These four are equally important numbers and if the cPL is abnormal, you still need to know the others for a complete diagnosis as those numbers can change the dianogsis from pancreatitis to many other things. If it is really something else and just treated for pancreatitis, you're going to continue to have issue after rissue after issue.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by TLC

Oh my darling Joey....

K/D is no good for LS babies. It has pork or pork fat or pork liver in it (I can't remember exactly), but it is no good for LS babies.

I think I gave you Dr. W the nutritionist from Cornells info He is great and could help you with a homemade diet that would work hand in hand with Joey's Liver Shunt issues and the Pancreatitis. Let me know if you need it again, or anything else
(

This food would also be bad for pancreatitis as pork is a major no-no for pancreatitis - prescription diet or not!!!

[Izzy Princess]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

This food would also be bad for pancreatitis as pork is a major no-no for pancreatitis - prescription diet or not!!!

No kidding...I think that's what put Izzy in round #2 of attacks last November. She was put on Science Diet W/D from November (first attack) through January..then the vet said she was stable enough to up her protein/fat to the Science Diet I/D and wham...by February she had attack #2 because of the pork..then we put her back on W/D and still not good because 3/17 another attack and then 5/27 another attack until we finally figured out what was wrong.

Pork is a definite no-no for pancreatitis..now some on my other groups say chicken is bad but we never had that problem with Izzy. For her is was pork and flax.

Keep with the no pork, low fat and low protein.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by TLC

Oh my darling Joey....

Donna, I am so sorry for your baby boy. I know you are trying to do everything right for him...

I don't know much about Pancreatitis, but the gals that are posting do, so I am glad you are getting good advice.

K/D is no good for LS babies. It has pork or pork fat or pork liver in it (I can't remember exactly), but it is no good for LS babies.

I think I gave you Dr. W the nutritionist from Cornells info He is great and could help you with a homemade diet that would work hand in hand with Joey's Liver Shunt issues and the Pancreatitis. Let me know if you need it again, or anything else

I hope he feels better soon

L/D is for liver, K/D is for kidney, I/D is suppose to be for intestinal but is HORRIBLE - made dex relapse and get real sick and ims said to never give a pancreatic dog this EVER. It has pork in it -- for pancreatitis and for liver mvd purina ha is good as soy is hydrolized and low in protein and it is very low in fat