Not getting better, should I stop the meds? Please advice

[kionini]

Nicky had Pancritis in early February. I took him to the vet, gave him Metronidazole liquid 1ml 2x/day for one week, followed by Sucralfate liquid 1ml 3x/day for 5 days, I administered them, he got better.

We kept the Orijin (fish and chicken kibble) but we switch the wet food we were using (Evanger's) to 'Prescription Diet i/d' from the vet's office. I asked one of the nurses how long should I keep them on this wet food, she said "not for ever." Then, I asked one of the vets and she said "indefinitely." (the nurse seemed knowledgeable)

Fast foward to last Wednesday; Nini woke up sick, vomiting and with diarrhea all day. Then, Thursday, Nicky had diarrhea. I rush them to the vet on that Thursday afternoon. There was a new vet at the office and the only one available. She ran a blood test and said that they were both a little dehydrated, so she administered some fluids for about 15 minutes on each baby (I don't know what good it does in such short time).

The vet prescribed Metronidazole 1ml 2x/day for 7 days and Amoxicillin (50mg) 1 pill 2x/day for 7 days. FOR BOTH my babies. Now, Nini is 11 + LBs and Nicky is 7 LBs. (they're both losing weight as I write this, I'm afraid ) Is there something wrong with this picture? Both on the same drug dosage.

Nini seems to be doing okay, she's not vomiting or diarrhea, but no potty (#2) yesterday or today.

Nicky doesn't seem to be doing that well. He's clingy, which he rarely is. When I pick him up he does this pain sound (very subtle and weak sound, like hmmmmm). I'm worried and it's about 4 hours until his next med and I'm wondering if the meds are doing this. Also, he doesn't want to eat, which adds to my worrying--drugs on empty stomach. And no potty #2 today.

I don't want to give him cheese with the meds, he doesn't do well on boiled anything/human food. The vet's supposed to call me any minute now. But, honestly, I'm considering finding another vet.

The prescription wet food's ingredients are: Water, Turkey, Egg Product, Pork Liver, Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Rice Starch, Powdered Cellulose, and a bunch of things I don't recognize.

Could this food be what is making my babies sick? Or could it be the meds? Should I stop the meds and find a new vet asap? Before they got sick they're were eating only the Orijin, Evanger's wet food, a 6" bully stick with some Cocotherapy oil a night, and a couple of times I gave them a drop of Salmon Oil. So what got them sick?
Any thoughts, advice, suggestions? Please share

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by kionini

Nicky had Pancritis in early February. I took him to the vet, gave him Metronidazole liquid 1ml 2x/day for one week, followed by Sucralfate liquid 1ml 3x/day for 5 days, I administered them, he got better.

We kept the Orijin (fish and chicken kibble) but we switch the wet food we were using (Evanger's) to 'Prescription Diet i/d' from the vet's office. I asked one of the nurses how long should I keep them on this wet food, she said "not for ever." Then, I asked one of the vets and she said "indefinitely." (the nurse seemed knowledgeable)

Fast foward to last Wednesday; Nini woke up sick, vomiting and with diarrhea all day. Then, Thursday, Nicky had diarrhea. I rush them to the vet on that Thursday afternoon. There was a new vet at the office and the only one available. She ran a blood test and said that they were both a little dehydrated, so she administered some fluids for about 15 minutes on each baby (I don't know what good it does in such short time).

The vet prescribed Metronidazole 1ml 2x/day for 7 days and Amoxicillin (50mg) 1 pill 2x/day for 7 days. FOR BOTH my babies. Now, Nini is 11 + LBs and Nicky is 7 LBs. (they're both losing weight as I write this, I'm afraid ) Is there something wrong with this picture? Both on the same drug dosage.

Nini seems to be doing okay, she's not vomiting or diarrhea, but no potty (#2) yesterday or today.

Nicky doesn't seem to be doing that well. He's clingy, which he rarely is. When I pick him up he does this pain sound (very subtle and weak sound, like hmmmmm). I'm worried and it's about 4 hours until his next med and I'm wondering if the meds are doing this. Also, he doesn't want to eat, which adds to my worrying--drugs on empty stomach. And no potty #2 today.

I don't want to give him cheese with the meds, he doesn't do well on boiled anything/human food. The vet's supposed to call me any minute now. But, honestly, I'm considering finding another vet.

The prescription wet food's ingredients are: Water, Turkey, Egg Product, Pork Liver, Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Rice Starch, Powdered Cellulose, and a bunch of things I don't recognize.

Could this food be what is making my babies sick? Or could it be the meds? Should I stop the meds and find a new vet asap? Before they got sick they're were eating only the Orijin, Evanger's wet food, a 6" bully stick with some Cocotherapy oil a night, and a couple of times I gave them a drop of Salmon Oil. So what got them sick?
Any thoughts, advice, suggestions? Please share

Sorry your babies are battling these problems. For a dog with pancreatitis, I would research proper diet, stop the cocotherapy and salmon oil, and no bully sticks. Personally, I would not feed Orijen or any canned food that is not a prescription diet. No cheese.

I would not stop the meds.

I don't have personal experience with pancreatitis, but I do know diet can play a key role. You have to be careful with fat and protein percentages.

[chestermama]

MY girlfriends dog has had this for years, low fat, no bully sticks I would say and do low fat food, solid gold has a low fat dog food with only 6% fat in it, it is called holistique blend, any salmon oil I dont think is good a lot of stuff you cannot give to them, think of bland stuff and low fat. She gives her dog the bare minimum on stuff and anything with pork ham and all that can be deadly for them. The food they want you to have is not that good, they get a kick back from science diet, but I would not want to change a whole lot right now until your baby is better

[Maximo]

Here is one thread for you to start your diet research:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...itis-help.html

[Patti]

Sorry to hear both of your babies are not feeling well. I found that my Cali would have a lot of tummy problems including 2 bouts of HGE when ever she was given a new treat or food and from hooves they were chewing on. I now limit her diet and took away the hooves and she has had no more tummy issues. I hope the vet can figure it out, if not then I would get a second opinion.

[107barney]

If the dog is exhibiting pain, the vet should be notified. If I was not satisfied with how the visit went, I would look for another vet. I hope your babies improve soon.

[Ellie May]

Pain when touching the abdomen indicates that the pancreatitis is back or never resolved. If there is anymore vomiting/diarrhea and the pancreatitis is still present, this pup needs to be put on an IV and hospitalized. SubQ fluids (under the skin - only takes a few minutes) are somtimes okay to try at first to avoid hospitalization, but if they don't work the first time, more care is needed.

I would go see a vet today and feed the rx diet only until then (or nothing at all).

[kionini]

Originally Posted by Patti

Sorry to hear both of your babies are not feeling well. I found that my Cali would have a lot of tummy problems including 2 bouts of HGE when ever she was given a new treat or food and from hooves they were chewing on. I now limit her diet and took away the hooves and she has had no more tummy issues. I hope the vet can figure it out, if not then I would get a second opinion.

I agree I'm reevaluating and changing things and I'll be careful with the treats. Even if they mope around, have tantrums or whine, I'll be stronger and won't give in as much with the treats, especially the nightly bully-stick.

Originally Posted by 107barney

If the dog is exhibiting pain, the vet should be notified. If I was not satisfied with how the visit went, I would look for another vet. I hope your babies improve soon.

I did call the vet office as soon as I noticed Nicky was in pain. I decided not to give him the meds after that and he was feeling noticeable better, he even tried to chase Nini around a bit.

The vet called back late last night and he said to stop giving him one of the meds because it upset Nicky's stomach . I thought I was giving the meds precisely to avoid that

I think the problem is that the new vet made a mistake and since our vet's business is expanding, new vets and nurses are being hired, things are being switched around, there's confusion, and God knows what else is happening.

But they can't say to us (specially to us-overprotective parents) "Hey, we're sorry, our new hired vet screwed up, let's do a do-over." So, they have to support each other in whatever mess they get themselves into, right? Too bad, we were in love with one of our vets But, I'm prepared to let him go for the sake of my babies.

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Pain when touching the abdomen indicates that the pancreatitis is back or never resolved. If there is anymore vomiting/diarrhea and the pancreatitis is still present, this pup needs to be put on an IV and hospitalized. SubQ fluids (under the skin - only takes a few minutes) are somtimes okay to try at first to avoid hospitalization, but if they don't work the first time, more care is needed.

I would go see a vet today and feed the rx diet only until then (or nothing at all).

The vet that saw them on Thursday did put them on IV for dehydration for about 15 minutes, but didn't think they had to be hospitalized. Nicky was hospitalized a couple of moths ago (over night and it brought us to tears ) She said that my girl was a bit more dehydrated than my boy, but that they seemed fine based on the blood results.
Nicky did vomit this morning and we've set up another appointment with the vet for tomorrow (he's at his other office today). But this time WITH their usual doctor. My HB wants to discuss a few things with him before I find another vet. Nicky's not showing pain today, but I'm watching him just in case.

[Sammy Mommy]

I hope your babies are feeling better soon.

[shodanusmc]

Our older female has 2 bouts of pancreatisits. After we switched her to Iams Low Residue, she has not had an attack in over 7 years. No table food, no special meds, knock on wood. I hope your find what is right for your dog.

[kionini]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Sorry your babies are battling these problems. For a dog with pancreatitis, I would research proper diet, stop the cocotherapy and salmon oil, and no bully sticks. Personally, I would not feed Orijen or any canned food that is not a prescription diet. No cheese.

I would not stop the meds.

I don't have personal experience with pancreatitis, but I do know diet can play a key role. You have to be careful with fat and protein percentages.

Wow, I got suspicious of the Salmon oil and threw it away, but the Cocotheraphy...how sad, but yeah, that too. They love it and I had stocked up on it No worries, I'll use it as a skin lotion
I'm looking into switching the Orijin. But do you really trust that prescription diet wet food? I'm suspicious of it. Grant it, I didn't like Evanger's much either, some do look very fatty

Originally Posted by chestermama

MY girlfriends dog has had this for years, low fat, no bully sticks I would say and do low fat food, solid gold has a low fat dog food with only 6% fat in it, it is called holistique blend, any salmon oil I dont think is good a lot of stuff you cannot give to them, think of bland stuff and low fat. She gives her dog the bare minimum on stuff and anything with pork ham and all that can be deadly for them. The food they want you to have is not that good, they get a kick back from science diet, but I would not want to change a whole lot right now until your baby is better

That's what I think about the "Prescription Diet i/d" I just don't trust Science Diet, not even prescribed I found out about the kick backs and that's exactly why I don't buy their food at the vet's. But my HB refuses to believe that a professional would sell out and put our babies health at risk for the 'almighty dollar.' Impossible, he says

All I know for sure is that my babies are sick and that I need to fix it
Bland and low fat, I'll keep it in mind and do the switching of their diet slowly after they're feeling better. Solid Gold sounds good at low fat and holistic.
They're going to hate it, Nicky especially hates when I play with his food (unless it's junk food of course). I'm facing a lot of whining and sad eyes for dayyyyyys

Originally Posted by Maximo

Here is one thread for you to start your diet research:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...itis-help.html

Thanks, I'll check it out

[kionini]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

I hope your babies are feeling better soon.

Thanks, I hope so too

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Our older female has 2 bouts of pancreatisits. After we switched her to Iams Low Residue, she has not had an attack in over 7 years. No table food, no special meds, knock on wood. I hope your find what is right for your dog.

Thank you. I'll find it, I just wish it didn't have to be trail and error type of thing

[ladyjane]

First off, there is nothing wrong with Hill's Science Diet! They spend so much money on research and their prescription foods do work. I have used them over the years for many different conditions.

As for bully sticks, I personally will not use them. You might want to look at the following thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...-diarrhea.html

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Our older female has 2 bouts of pancreatisits. After we switched her to Iams Low Residue, she has not had an attack in over 7 years. No table food, no special meds, knock on wood. I hope your find what is right for your dog.

That's the food that stabilized my son's Maltese, also vet suggested three small meals a day instead of two.

[ladyjane]

Not saying it is not possible, but I think it would be highly unlikely that two pups in the same home had pancreatitis at the same time. I would be highly suspect of something in their environment causing these issues......and I would not suspect the I/D!