pancreatitis...please help!

[khloe0926]

My baby Khloe was diagnosed with pancreatitis a week ago and is still struggling. Any suggestions? She is four years old. They said it was mild and not bacterial so she's not on antibiotics but they sent her home with anti*nausea*meds and pain meds. She's on a low fat*bland*diet. She's doing a little better but she shakes and trembles for about 20-30 minutes after she eats. Is she in pain? She doesn't drink much either. I'm really worried. I know it takes time, but how long? We had all tests done and an ultrasound and were at the Er vet twice. I can't afford much more but it's breaking my heart to see her sick. She was never on a high*fat*diet*to begin with because she has a*liver*disease. She has microvascular dysplasia. Could it have turned bacterial and now she needs antibiotics? The vet just keeps saying if she gets worse bring her back but she's not necessarily worse. Just not improving as fast as I thought she would. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. They also did an X-ray of her neck and said she could have disk*disease. Anyone familiar with that? Thank you!

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[kjc]

A week seems a long time to me... I'd take her back to the vet. Most show major improvement after 3-5 days. Pain meds can decrease their appetite. Check her gum color and feel, should be pink and moist, not sticky. Sticky indicates dehydration... she may need to be on fluids.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Perhaps this has gotten into a gastroenteritis and she will need antibiotics to get her past it, but the dog is usually still vomiting and having diarrhea if that condition is present. I believe I would get a second opinion with an internist to be sure what is still keeping her so upset that she shakes - that sounds like pain or anxiety/fear. Perhaps her pancreas is so inflamed that she is in pain so you might ask your vet for some pain medication.

Did the vet recommend you raise up her bowl to prevent her from bending her neck down - that's the only thing I can think about to help the neck associated with pain.

[kjc]

She's on pain meds and anti nausea meds already....

[Ellie May]

I think if she still has pancreatitis she needs fluids. Any food may be too much for her.

What does she normally eat?

Disc issues can also cause shaking.

[khloe0926]

Thank you everyone. She never had any vomiting or diarrhea to begin with. It was the loss of appetite and shaking that had me concerned and took her in. All tests were ok until they did an ultrasound and saw the pancreas was mildly inflamed. They said the fat around the pancreas was actually more inflamed than the actual pancreas. She normally eats royal canin hepatic for her liver issues. Now she's on the gastro low fat. She does have pain meds and anti nausea meds but I.stopped those recently because she would pee herself in her sleep and be really outfof it and she seems ok except for right after she eats. And yes they did recommend elevating her bowls which I have done a well. She seems a lot more like herself now except the shaking after eating.

[kjc]

Pancreatitis is very painful. The treatment is to rest the pancreas... so putting the dog on IV fluids for a few days with nothing by mouth may help her. I'd call my regular vet and discuss further treatment options.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by khloe0926

Thank you everyone. She never had any vomiting or diarrhea to begin with. It was the loss of appetite and shaking that had me concerned and took her in. All tests were ok until they did an ultrasound and saw the pancreas was mildly inflamed. They said the fat around the pancreas was actually more inflamed than the actual pancreas. She normally eats royal canin hepatic for her liver issues. Now she's on the gastro low fat. She does have pain meds and anti nausea meds but I.stopped those recently because she would pee herself in her sleep and be really outfof it and she seems ok except for right after she eats. And yes they did recommend elevating her bowls which I have done a well. She seems a lot more like herself now except the shaking after eating.

Did they perform a cPLI test?

[khloe0926]

They did perform a cPL test but that gave a normal reading. They actually ruled out pancreatitis after that test but later saw on the ultrasound that it was inflamed

[kjc]

Might be a good time to go to a specialist...

[107barney]

Originally Posted by khloe0926

They did perform a cPL test but that gave a normal reading. They actually ruled out pancreatitis after that test but later saw on the ultrasound that it was inflamed

This is exactly the results I have had with my dog Barney. He shows an inflamed pancreas on his ultrasounds yet the cPL test is negative.

When Barney has any kind of gastritis, I stop all all food by mouth for at least 12 hours. Then I give him very small amounts of bland food -- chicken and white rice -- for a few days. He is on the RC gastrointestinal low fat diet but that is still alot more fat and richer than a bland chicken and rice diet.

The fact that she shakes and trembles after eating is concerning. It may not be the pancreatitis at all but something else completely, including signs of her liver being angry from the food.

I guess the question is: "What more would a specialist do?" It depends on what kind of specialist we are talking about. An internal med specialist might do a bile acids test if one has not been done or another ultrasound to be conducted by a board certified radiologist. You also could do a diet switch and consult with a board certified veterinary nutritionist.

HOw many meals are you feeding a day? I would do three small meals.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Well my experience with this is with my husband. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis Dec 31st. He was in the hospital for 9 days. As of today, he still has small issues and we have to really monitor what he eats. Also, like 107barney said, small meals are a good idea. If he eats a large meal he will start hurting. We were told it is risky for a year after getting pancreatitis the first time. They said once you get it, it is very easy to have a flair up again. I am assuming in a dog it would be similar. If I thought something wasn't right, I would call my vet.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Checking in on her and hoping she's doing better but if not, time for a second opinion for that little one. Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day for her.

[khloe0926]

Thank you everyone for all your help! I took her back to the vet. They are testing her pancreas levels again. Her kidney and liver levels are fine. They were worried she was having focal seizures. She's acting completely better and normal except for the shaking after eating. The length of time the shaking lasts is shortening though so maybe that's a good sign? Could she have avid reflux or an ulcer maybe? Anyone have experience with those? I'm also thinking maybe it's back or neck pain while she eats and since its painful she shakes and then once shes done eating the pain subsides so her shaking does too. Right now it's just a wait and see kind of thing which is so frustrating! Thank you all again!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Could I suggest you try hand-feeding her so that she doesn't extend or move her neck or back and see what happens? If she doesn't shake, that's something to report to the doctor.