Pancreatitis in 12yr old yorkie

[buddysmom12]

Hello, my dog ate foreign plastic piece two weeks ago. I took him to the vet immediately after he ate the plastic. They did xrays and they came out fine (no bloating, or blood, or gas - I know plastic can't be seen on xray) His bloodwork came out fine and they just sent me home with medication (Sucralfate, Famotidine and metrodolzine) and to put him on a bland diet and to monitor him. I did all that and he ate well and had energy and I found two large plastic pieces in his bowel movements within 24hrs, after that.

My issue is that now this past weekend he was hospitalized. He was not eating, and had vomited ONCE, he tested positive for pancreatitis. He was hospitalized for 48 hours and had and IV fluid treatments. After 48 hours (almost 72 of not eating) he started eating and not throwing up at all.

He was released this sunday night (two nights ago) and was sent home with prescription food and the now only Famotidine as medication. He was slowly getting back to normal, eating his bland food (prescription and mix of rice) Last night he was playing for the first time in over two weeks.

Now this morning he wakes, got walked and came home and vomited white foamy mix. I called the vet, they wanted him to come in. I took him in, he had a physical and another blood work, results still high on pancreatic levels and he was a bit dehydrated. Vet wanted him back on IV and a fasting diet again. I told her that I think he was getting better at home, after a bit she agreed with me and told me that he would get SQ fluids under the skin, and injectable shots of Cerenia (anti-nausea) and Famotidine (acid reducer).

He is back home and now a little slower, sadder. His energy was great before going to the vet.

My issue now is the FASTING, VET recommended another 24 hours of fasting, but I have read that white foamy vomit might mean EMPTY stomach and over production of acid.

I mentioned this to her, but she rather not have him work his pancreas anymore with food for a while again.

So far he isn't asking for food and thats good, but if he does tonight I am not sure if I can deny him. Its already been 15 hrs since his last meal and 7hrs since his vomit incident.

Anyone here has had issues with fasting and pancreatitis? Or these medications causing lethargy? Any suggestions?


Thank you

Breed: yorkie
Weight: 13 lbs
Age: 12 yrs old

[shelimcallister]

I am going to bump this. I have not experienced this but I usre do hope you get help soon!

[buddysmom12]

Thank you, well so far he has been sleeping all day and now retching a bit every time he moves. (he has never done that before)

He hasn't wanted food, nor has he drank water (he walked right past his bowl) He also hasn't urged me to go for his walk. With the retching I am also being cautious about walking him.

Well so far its been 23hrs since his last meal and 11hrs since his last vomit incident.

He tummy is slightly noisy.

[ladyjane]

I personally feel that pups with pancreatitis do better in the hospital with IV fluids as opposed to subcutaneous. Of course it does depend on how bad the situation is. I don't mean to alarm you, but pancreatitis can be deadly....my son and dil lost a min pin recently to it...and she was hospitalized. We were all devastated. In looking back...she was at the vet all day and then transferred to the EC and we had actually considered a transfer to a specialty hospital.......I will always err on the side of caution in the future and hospitalize them in a specialty hospital. Not sure it would have saved her, but I do think it would have been a better place. I had honestly never seen a pup die from pancreatitis, but it can happen. Google necrotizing pancreatitis...it's really scary. I would be very concerned about the lethargy...yes, meds can cause it but so can the illness itself. They are weak and in pain. It's really bad.
I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers.

[ladyjane]

The meds you mentioned really should not cause lethargy. I assumed he was on a pain med??
Honestly, if he continues with the retching and looking weak, I would think about taking him to the EC tonight.

a link that may help:


http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-pancr...-and-treatment

[107barney]

You did not say whether your vet prescribed pain medication for this dog, but I would be concerned. My dog had pancreatitis and did ok at home on subcutaneous fluids but as the night progressed he was in increased pain and my vet had to call in tramadol. After that experience, even though my dog recovered, I would not manage at home. I would hospitalize as LadyJane said. I have done it both ways - hospital and home - and my dog recovered faster and was safer in the hospital.

[buddysmom12]

thank you everyone for your concerns. He was never prescribed pain meds, dispite me asking if he needed them. my vet said that since heisn't showing signs of pain nor any tenderness... that she rather not give him something more that his pancreas would have to work on. She would have given him the meds if he really seemed to be in severe pain. Here are the positive ls that makes my vet think this might be not as severe. he is not in pain... he doesn't have a fever... since last Friday (almost a week) he has only thrown up twice. he does get an appetite when we stop the fast...and has drank water.

here is an update before I go to sleep. My Buddy seems to have found his late night energy and since 8pm until now 11pm he was asking for food. He also seem more alert and active. HAS anyone experienced this... DOGS more alert at night? well I had to be strong and turn him down at every request of food. it was so hard. after about seven attempts he has finally given up and is resting. tomorrow hopefully will be a new day and I can start him slow on some bland rice.. just a handful as my vet recommended.


I'm also considering having him checked out by another get if things worsen... not sure. I am getting several recommendations from friends.
We shall see. any prayers tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

[buddysmom12]

thank you everyone for your concerns. He was never prescribed pain meds, dispite me asking if he needed them. my vet said that since heisn't showing signs of pain nor any tenderness... that she rather not give him something more that his pancreas would have to work on. She would have given him the meds if he really seemed to be in severe pain. Here are the positive ls that makes my vet think this might be not as severe. he is not in pain... he doesn't have a fever... since last Friday (almost a week) he has only thrown up twice. he does get an appetite when we stop the fast...and has drank water.

here is an update before I go to sleep. My Buddy seems to have found his late night energy and since 8pm until now 11pm he was asking for food. He also seem more alert and active. HAS anyone experienced this... DOGS more alert at night? well I had to be strong and turn him down at every request of food. it was so hard. after about seven attempts he has finally given up and is resting. tomorrow hopefully will be a new day and I can start him slow on some bland rice.. just a handful as my vet recommended.


I'm also considering having him checked out by another get if things worsen... not sure. I am getting several recommendations from friends.
We shall see. any prayers tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by buddysmom12

thank you everyone for your concerns. He was never prescribed pain meds, dispite me asking if he needed them. my vet said that since heisn't showing signs of pain nor any tenderness... that she rather not give him something more that his pancreas would have to work on. She would have given him the meds if he really seemed to be in severe pain. Here are the positive ls that makes my vet think this might be not as severe. he is not in pain... he doesn't have a fever... since last Friday (almost a week) he has only thrown up twice. he does get an appetite when we stop the fast...and has drank water.

here is an update before I go to sleep. My Buddy seems to have found his late night energy and since 8pm until now 11pm he was asking for food. He also seem more alert and active. HAS anyone experienced this... DOGS more alert at night? well I had to be strong and turn him down at every request of food. it was so hard. after about seven attempts he has finally given up and is resting. tomorrow hopefully will be a new day and I can start him slow on some bland rice.. just a handful as my vet recommended.


I'm also considering having him checked out by another get if things worsen... not sure. I am getting several recommendations from friends.
We shall see. any prayers tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

When I introduced food back for Barney, I gave him 2 tablespoons of boiled chicken and rice mixed 50/50. I did this for a day. The next day, he went up to 1/4 cup of food and then up to 1/2 cup of food. Then we worked up. He now eats home cooked bland food for the rest of his life, and he also eats kibble. I use the Royal Canin Gastrointestinal low fat which is a food designed for pancreatitis. Not sure what your vet recommended, but we have had a good experience w/ this food and it was recommended by a board certified vet nutritionist when my dog was ill.

I'm glad Buddy is getting his spunk back!

[buddysmom12]

thank you for your suggestions 107barney, he was prescribe RC Gastro Low. So far its been an hour since we've been up and here is how it went.

I'm supposed to start slow so i offered him a tablespoon of rice and he refused. Then I put a tablespoon of his prescription food (RC Gastro) and he ate it up.
He seems a bit dehydrated so I offered water and he refused. Then I gave him very diluted homemade plain chicken broth water and he started lapping at it like crazy. So much that I pulled it away after a bit since I'm afraid it might be too much.

I am not going to walk him this morning since I rather he settles down and absorbs all this for now. I've been reading that is hour by hour at first and that is what I am doing. Thank goodness I work from home right now.

Im not sure if how long I should wait before giving him another spoonful of food? 2 hours? 3 hours?

[107barney]

I would feed a little bit every couple of hours and just bland.

[buddysmom12]

107barney, did you have to keep giving your pet the medication famotidine everyday while he was back home?

[107barney]

Yes we did but I don't remover for how long - I think maybe a week or so.

[xFoxyx]

When Presley has a serious pancreatic attack, he will go a few days not wanting any food. My vet says not feeding him gives him time for his pancreas to heal. As long as your baby is getting fluids, he should be ok with not eating for a couple of days. We stress out more than the dogs do when they don't eat. He is very uncomfortable and eating can irritate him further. My Pres will even not be interested in what WE are eating when he has a bad flare up. We try to keep him comfortable while taking meds as much as possible. My vet, says to keep him as still as possible (they don't really feel like playing anyway). Usually when he is feeling better he is more interested in his food. We keep him on a prescription diet. He's been on it for 8 years now. We've had to change brands a few times because he becomes bored with it. After all, it is very bland and easily digestible, which is better for the pancreas.

[Ellie May]

Does he still seem dehydrated? If yes, then he does need to see the vet immediately. It sounds like he is mot having an easy time recovering and may benefit from more time of fluids. Besides hydration, one problem with treating more severe cases at home is that meds have to ge given by mouth which is't necessarily a good thing. We have been ortunate to be able to treat at home, but my girl comes around quickly. If e has any,ore issues today I'd take him back.