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Diagnosis involves upper GI endoscopy or exploratory laparotomy. Surface mucus from a large area of the stomach can be obtained by taking brush samples via endoscopy. If organisms are present, they are readily identified under 100× oil-immersion magnification. Because brush cytology samples a large area of the stomach, the sensitivity of this test is high. Gastric biopsies should be obtained from multiple areas in the stomach, because organism distribution can be patchy. Routine H&E staining is usually sufficient to identify organisms, although special silver stains may be required if the organisms have a glandular location. Mucosal inflammation, glandular degeneration, and lymphoid follicle hyperplasia accompany some infections. Cytology and histopathology is not sufficient to identify specific species. A commercially available rapid urease test to detect production of bacterial urease in gastric biopsies can identify the presence of Helicobacter organisms. However, because cytology and histopathology are highly sensitive and specific for detection of Helicobacter infections, urease testing may not add further diagnostic information in some cases. Noninvasive tests for Helicobacter infection available in the research setting include urea breath testing, fecal antigen detection, and serology. |
SO HAPPY to ready the update, holy moly HAPPY!!! :):D:) |
Thanks, all. Bella seems to be doing well...eating, drinking, sleeping barking at the doorbell. She is doing her business outside, not vomiting and not having loose stools. Earlier today she was even playing a bit with her favorite toy. Tonight she seems a little restless and after going out to pee for the night she was on the couch panting again. That is a worry but maybe she did a bit too much today. I wanted to share something the discharge nurse told me that really shocked me...when I was talking about giving her the pills she said I could use rinsed rotisserie chicken ??? THAT is injected with butter/oil I can't imagine rinsing it would work. She also said to use vanilla lowfat yogurt. Does anyone know if the Hills regular ID script food is that much different than the Hill's low fat ID script food? Our vet gave us the regular ( either they are NOT paying attention or it's ok for pancreatitis?) I sent the cans back but I had already fed one meal with it. I have to stop assuming everyone knows what they are doing and I need to check and double check everything. |
Hi BellymonsterMom, Humm... I'm with you on the rotisserie chicken. Humm again... based on nothin' other than the name on the can, I'd say the "Hills regular ..." is good, but not as low fat as the "Hills low fat ..." Happy to know she was more active today. You wrote, "....on the couch panting again." Sometimes panting is a sign the pup is in pain.[1] See the referenced article for the paragraph that begins, "Other signs of pain or trauma in pets include..." as those factors may help you determine whether or not the little on is hurting. Hope this helps. [1] WebMD, "Why is my dog panting heavily?" As suggested by the title, this article refers to "heavy panting" covers a multitude of conditions--many of which are pretty scary. Under "Chronic illness," it mentions Cushings. Separately then, mentions "Injury and pain." |
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Would I use that chicken? NO - I know people do, but I won't do it. For a low fat treat I give little chunks of sweet potatoes. My pups all love them! You can put a pill in a tiny piece. I cut the ends off of the potato and microwave on a pad of paper towels for 3-6 minutes depending on the size. I always have them in my fridge! So happy she is doing better. Panting is often a sign of pain...she may still be a bit painful. I would try to keep her less active for now ... but do let her play some...that is wonderful she is feeling like that!!! |
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Most definitely get the *right* food bc with pancreatitis, things can go back to worse in a flash! You've seen it already - so don't take any risks whatsoever. Did you cut down any pain meds...? If so, I'd go back to giving an appropriate dosage due to the panting. If they make her tired, don't worry about that - she needs the extra rest/sleep anyway right now. |
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Bells Thank you so much for the wonderful positive news on your baby. You must be so happy now to know all your love and caring have put her on the road to healing. I agree with all the above posts and certainly the low fat is better than the regular ID for pancreatic dogs. But one meal isn’t going to do much if any harm. I agree Bells still may have some pain and discomfort, so it may be wise to give a lower dose of pain meds until she is stronger. P is a nasty disease and takes some time to heal. So keep her fairly quiet and rested for a while until the P test numbers are reduced to more like normal. Also I would give her more smaller meals for easier digestion until she is well on the mend. I don’t know if the vet suggested keeping her on a low dose of Pepcid for a while? You have been such a great mom to your baby and you must be so relieved to see her getting well again. Praying for her continued improvement and WTG Bells!!! |
Thanks, all. She's back on the boiled chicken / mashed potatoes ( eats the chicken, spits out any veggie) and the Hills Low Fat. Two cases of Chewy purchased food came dented- only 12 cans were ok- but I don't trust them so I ordered two more and they came today. She's on Pepcid for 30 days. She has a few more pills of this and that to go. I'm going to call to see how long she has to be on the Liver Milk Thistle...it's the biggest pill and the biggest pain! Thanks for all the help! Glad that it's raining for a few days...keeps her inside and resting. |
Bella seems so restless ... I noticed her pressing her head into pillows on couch, trying to bury something that is not there, pushing her nose into blankets --- started yesterday. I will watch her this morning but I'm afraid this is something to do with the odd liver findings. |
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This is a great brochure about liver issues: https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/vmc/Sma...D-Brochure.pdf Hopefully it is really nothing. |
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Did you call Chewy? They are awesome and will replace those cans....they usually don't require a return. |
She is lethargic this morning, she did respond to the 'doorbell test' - ring it to see if she does her normal thing-she has to run out and check the yard to make sure the UPS man or mailman isn't hiding anywhere. She had her liver pill, peed but no drinking this a.m. She never drinks much. I will only give her the dog food- no extra meat. I have solved the problem of pills in a very small pocket of 98% fat free turkey as nothing else has worked, but that will be all I give her other than food. There was a mix up with the compounding pharmacy and her meds are almost done - so $200 for replacements seems excessive. Three days until they got back with me and when they called on Friday at 2p for pick up my daughter went at 5:15 after work-they were closed and for the entire weekend as well! I'm on top of her behavior and will not hesitate to take her back to ER. If she doesn't have any episodes of pressing today and eats and voids well, I may just make a regular vet appointment for tomorrow to discuss this situation. Does this sound like a responsible plan? |
Bells I know you are very concerned about your baby after all you have been through. But recovery from P alone could be patchy until it is cured. Good idea to keep a close eye as you are doing and take her in if she seems sicker. Is she still on pain meds? Sorry the meds are so expensive. But hopefully when she is over this she will just need the ID low fat food plus perhaps the Pepcid. My dog has no health issues as far as I know, but he does have days when his behavior is slightly different, but he is ok. Just like people?? Hoping she is ok and just healing from what ailed her. Wishing you both well. |
Thanks for the reminder that she's still recovering from the pancreatitis. I just want her well so any set back makes me think it's something worse. She is still on painkillers for a couple of days- same with the nausea, appetite stim, antibiotic. She will be on the Pepcid ( 30 days) and the Denamarin for 17 more days. |
Bells It is normal for you to be super vigilant over your baby. Sorry to remind you of the P dx, but it is a truth. The fact she is still taking all those meds shows that the vet expects recovery to continue for while longer. So try and relax a bit and go with the flow, however slow it is! Of course any major change for the worse is worth a vet check. Another thing I find is that dogs see anxiety in us and become more anxious too. Their sad eyes can also break our hearts!! They usually are so brave and do not show pain or suffering, but I guess now and again even they feel bad and show it. |
Hi BellymonsterMom, This little one has been through a lot; you have, as well. She hasn't completely healed and is on a stack of meds. I didn't read up on each drug, but couldn't some of the activity level changes you see be related to healing as well as the meds? Discharge papers particularly key in on "signs of vomiting, diarrhea .... or lack of appetite." As I understand the posts, she's not exhibiting any of those conditions now. (Yeah!) Lacking other insight, suspect there is some period of adjustment fur your pup to get used to the meds and for the meds to have full healing effect. You know your little one best. If there is concern about her lowered activity level or some other behavior, I'm sure you can place a non-emergency call to the ER vet's office for further inquiry. Quote:
I'm glad she's there with you. All my best hopes to you both for a good long-term outcome. |
dottiesyrky-- I appreciate your replies! No need to apologize. It's been 7 days since she went in, she'd been on the meds and I guess I'm just expecting her to be her normal perky self. It's good to hear the facts surrounding P. I am expecting too much. |
[QUOTE=KatysMom;4761130]Hi BellymonsterMom, Discharge papers particularly key in on "signs of vomiting, diarrhea .... or lack of appetite." As I understand the posts, she's not exhibiting any of those conditions now. (Yeah!) Lacking other insight, suspect there is some period of adjustment fur your pup to get used to the meds and for the meds to have full healing effect. Thanks, KatysMom, she is on a lot of meds. As she isn't exhibiting any of the signs they mentioned and I haven't seen her do any head pressing so far today, so I'm going to try not to worry. Although her respiratory rate seems a little high to me...between 32-36 per minute, but I'm hoping that's related to meds. She had her pain med and antibiotic at 1:30 and a bit later the appetite stim. All of that has to have a effect. I really appreciate everyone's suggestions, reminders and help. I pointed the breathing rate out to husband and he told me that I'm looking for trouble and to just relax. |
Bells Thank you for your updates and for your gracious acceptance of suggestions given here. Let’s hope your hubby is right about you relaxing!! I guess when the pancreas is inflamed the whole body and other organs get disturbed. But hope that the meds take care of all that. It is a lot of medication for a little mite to absorb and it would not be surprising if it affected her behavior. Good no head pressing today so praying that it is just the meds and P that is making her have different behaviors now and again. Hoping she is more lively today and that you feel less stressed as she improves. |
... husband .... told me that I'm looking for trouble and to just relax.[/QUOTE] You've all been through a lot; hopefully things will continue to improve from here. Relaxing is a good idea, but suspect most of us would agree that some amount of worrying comes with the territory. You are caring for a little one, knowing that she depends on you even more when she isn't herself. Just so happy that you can all be together. |
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I am with your husband. Stop counting her respirations! She doesn't have a respiratory condition where you were advised to do that. I am laughing right now...with you, not at you. I SO know the stress of having a sick pup. It is so easy to tell others but when it comes to your own it is a WHOLE different thing. It honestly sounds like she is doing well. Maybe the weird acting was med related..pain meds can make them goofy. I think you might want to start cutting back now since she is eating well. If she was in pain, she would walk hunched and also pant. |
I don't mind your laughing! I am over the top on one of my good days :) I will endure anything to get the feedback and settle my nerves, ha! I applied to Care Credit today just to be sure that I will never have to worry about instant cash in the middle of the night. I have Pet Plan and can reimburse but the cash up front is a concern. That really made me feel better today. Thanks for all the help to everyone who replied :) |
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Wanted to update on Bells Bells seems to be doing better...she's done with all her meds- except the Denamarin and the Pepcid. Her thyroid test was normal, her steroid test was normal but they did see an increase in her "sex hormone" which indicates Cushings. The treatment is 3 ml of Melatonin twice a day and Flaxseed Lingren 1/4tsp once a day. She's eating the same as a finicky Yorkiepoo does and all other systems seem ok- voiding, drinking and seems to be interested in the same things - barking at doorbell, dogs and growling if anyone looks like they're about to threaten me. She goes back in 15 days for another test of her pancreas and more Denamarin pills-they said she will be on them for life, along with the other OTC meds. I appreciate all of your help and hope that all your pups are doing well! |
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BTW, here is a short 2014 YorkieTalk thread, "denamarin." Most of the comments are quite positive. Again, thanks! |
I was wondering how she was doing. Sounds like atypical cushings, is that what they said? How old is she? |
Thanks Katysmom! LovetoDream: They didn't give me much info...it was the nurse and she was rushed. I made an appointment for June 14 to get other info. She doesnt' seem to have any of the symptoms I've read about...she just said her sex hormone level was high. She will be eight in August. |
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