My Buddy has Pancreatitis - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

hle_625 · 04-08-2006, 08:39 PM

Poor baby! I will be keeping him in my prayers!

Welcome to yorkietalk!

my_buddy · 04-08-2006, 09:46 PM

Yes...Buddy vomitted yellow foamy stuff about two weeks ago, too. I am not sure how to prevent this.

I have VPI pet insurance. But, if you get them, or any other pet insurance, his pancreatitis will be a "pre-existing condition." My insurance is $28/month...this is for the "major medical" and "prevention" together. I get a 5% discount off because I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin for my own health insurance. I would never not have pet insurance again...I should have gotten it the day we got our little Buddy.

If you don't care how much money you spend...KEEP ON THE VETS...make them do more testing...

Hope your Morix feels better SOON!

Keep us posted.

Morix · 04-09-2006, 08:53 AM

Hi!

Thanks for your reply and support....

My question is, how do they know the pancreatitis is a "pre-existing" condition? The doctors are not even sure if it was really a pancreatitis...

Thanks!

my_buddy · 04-09-2006, 01:43 PM

When I signed Buddy up for his VPI pet insurance, they needed to know if there was anything that he was treated for in the last few months....the vet had to fax them records. Then, there was a waiting period...I think 10 or 30 days...I can't remember how long. But, you don't get coverage from the date you sign up...there is some waiting period.

Tophersmom · 04-09-2006, 02:17 PM

I lost my beautiful terrier mix, Nighean, to pancreatitis in January. She had had a few attacks in previous months, but through meds and good veterinary care, she was able to recover. This last attack, though, was a bad one. We got her to the vet as quickly as possible, but we could tell that she was suffering. She couldn't move, the pain was so bad. The vet called us later that day to tell us that Nighean's pancreas was devouring itself, and that she was in extreme pain. Her chances of recovery, we were told, were almost nil. We had no other choice but to make the decision to help ease her passing. As one who lives with chronic pain, I couldn't stand the thought of my baby living with this horrendous pain for any longer than necessary.

Nighean was only 7 years old and was on the best dog food we could find, and she rarely, if ever, ate people food. Because of this, we were unsure as to why she was having these attacks.

It's a serious disease, and if your dog shows signs of an attack, get to the vet immediately. Nighean was vomiting bile (with a strong odor) and couldn't keep water down. (The vomiting is one of the first signs, in our experience) She became withdrawn and stayed still as any movement at all seemed to cause her great pain.
You feel so helpless, as there's nothing that you can do to ease that pain except get to the vet asap.

megan_kat22 · 04-09-2006, 02:19 PM

I'm sorry your baby doesn't feel good! I hope he gets better soon! What do you mean by the "prayer position" can you explain that more? My yorkie with a liver shunt does that sometimes, but it's like he is stretching.

my_buddy · 04-09-2006, 03:09 PM

Yes...the "prayer position" looks like a stretch...but once he gets his front legs down, his hind legs stay up and he doesn't move. He gets a funny look on his face and looks scared. When Buddy gets up from laying down and stretches, he usually stretches with his hind legs up first, then stands up and stretches his back legs out straight...so, the first part of his stretch looks as though he's doing the prayer position....it kind of looks like he is "kneeling."

megan_kat22 · 04-09-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my_buddy

Yes...the "prayer position" looks like a stretch...but once he gets his front legs down, his hind legs stay up and he doesn't move. He gets a funny look on his face and looks scared. When Buddy gets up from laying down and stretches, he usually stretches with his hind legs up first, then stands up and stretches his back legs out straight...so, the first part of his stretch looks as though he's doing the prayer position....it kind of looks like he is "kneeling."

oh boy.. that doesnt sound good... how long had your dog been doing this before he got very sick? Tucker is scheduled for surgery in June to fix his shunt (i think pancreitic is associated with it) i hope this will help...

my_buddy · 04-09-2006, 04:39 PM

Buddy did the "prayer position" once in October or November...can't remember when. Then he did it in March...on three separate occasions. Then in April, he did it one morning...two times within 15 minutes...I called the vet at 6:30am. I could tell something was wrong...he just had a funny stare on his face and he was looking back at his tummy area and seemed very, very stiff. He did it for about 2 minutes one time in March.

Hope your little one is OK...keep us posted.

ladyt · 04-09-2006, 04:48 PM

I sent a prayer up for buddy.

megan_kat22 · 04-09-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my_buddy

Buddy did the "prayer position" once in October or November...can't remember when. Then he did it in March...on three separate occasions. Then in April, he did it one morning...two times within 15 minutes...I called the vet at 6:30am. I could tell something was wrong...he just had a funny stare on his face and he was looking back at his tummy area and seemed very, very stiff. He did it for about 2 minutes one time in March.

Hope your little one is OK...keep us posted.

Thanks for all your info. Tucker usually does it if he has been sleeping hard. I think it is because he was on a very high fat diet because he could not have protein. So, hopefully with this new food and surgery in 2 months he will be okay. Thanks again, and Buddy is in my prayers

Morix · 04-09-2006, 06:53 PM

Thanks to you all for your input....It seems to me that all our yorkies sooner or later show signs of some of these problems....I wish we could know more to stop the pain.
When Morix is in pain he just looks at you in the eyes and does not move or makes a sound, it is the worst feeling....
After reading all these messages I really think that this is not just a matter of breeding, genetics or hereditary diseases. Maybe is just the nature of the yorkies.

I hope that buddy can recover asap

prettypuppypink · 04-09-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my_buddy

To Jessica (prettypuppypink),

What is HGE?

Mickey

HGE is Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis. If not treated immediately they can die. It's bleeding internally and some dogs need transfusions. I recognized it immediately from Pixie's poop, being tactful, because I remembered reading a YT post about a member's dog having it. I got Pixie to her vet immediately.
Pixie wasn't even acting sick besides her poop. She was only on IV and antibiotic under the skin when hospitalized. After three of days she was started on a small amount of Prescription WD to see how she responded.
She was a terrible patient and they were thrilled when she was well enough to be discharged. Pixie has been through alot the past two years. I had Yorkies in years past and never went through any of this. I love the breed but would not get another.
I have a small Peke and a new puppy a Mi-Ki. There was another member last year that had issues with her Yorkie as well as her parent's Yorkies. She bought a Mi-Ki and raved about it. I stayed in touch with her for a while and she also wouldn't get another Yorkie. It's heart breaking to see them with chronic health issues.
I hope and pray Buddy will never have another attack and you will be able to enjoy a healthy pet.
Pixie is on WD for her Pancreatitis as well as gastrafate, vet prescribed, it's better then pepcid, and Prilosec for life. You must have a vet that has knowledge of this disease. I changed 3 times until finding one. Pixie is monitored all the time. After the second attack, I can tell now when she's headed for another and can avoid a bad attack by rushing her to the vet. She usually is hospitalized briefly. I used to travel with her, now I don't travel at all and I'm afraid to leave her with anyone. My husband freaks when she gets sick, he adores her and has taken off work many times to drive her 3 hours round trip to the vet. I can't take her alone when she's that ill. Her vet said that she's so spoiled and demanding and has a strong will to live. He has saved her life more then a few times. If I mention euthanization, he says 'no way she doesn't have bowel cancer.' No, he doesn't charge me what anyone else would for her care although he knows I can afford it. He has a love for animals that I have never seen in any other vet.
Jessica

prettypuppypink · 04-09-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morix

Thanks to you all for your input....It seems to me that all our yorkies sooner or later show signs of some of these problems....I wish we could know more to stop the pain.
When Morix is in pain he just looks at you in the eyes and does not move or makes a sound, it is the worst feeling....
After reading all these messages I really think that this is not just a matter of breeding, genetics or hereditary diseases. Maybe is just the nature of the yorkies.

I hope that buddy can recover asap

Research indicates there are genetic factors at play as well with Pancreatitis.

my_buddy · 04-27-2006, 05:43 PM

Hi Everyone,

Since Buddy's first hospitalization, he was hospitalized once more over night (2 hospitalizations total). He had a few mild pancreatitis attacks but nothing like the two that landed him in the hospital. The first time he was in the hospital he took his IV out. I asked the doctor if he chewed it out, but his vet, Dr. Angie, told us that he "danced" it out!!! She is so polite!!! He was probably jumping around in the cage like a wild man...as he doesn't like being left at the vet.

Dr. Angie switched his food...first we had to feed him boiled ground beef and white rice. He LOVED the boiled ground beef. At first he just gobbled the beef and rice mixture down. Then he got picky and decided that he liked the beef better, so he was spitting (literally spitting) rice all over the floor just to get at the beef. So then I started chopping the beef up into smaller pieces and then he was making more of a mess and didn't seem to be eating much because it was too much work for the little guy to separate the beef from the rice!!!

Then, they switched Buddy to Royal Canine IVD Potato & Duck Forumula Light. Since being on this food, he seems to be doing better. He seems to actually enjoy eating now. Before we would practically have to bribe him to eat.

He has also been on the following medications:

Pancreazyme

Zenaqin

Cimetidine

Metronidazole

Buddy went back to Dr. Angie today for a check up, and she seems to think he is on the mend. He has a follow up on May 25th and we are supposed to continue giving him only the Pancreazyme until then.

Thanks for all of your informative and kind messages...and for the prayers.

We'll keep you updated!!!
Mickey & My Little Buddy

04-08-2006, 08:39 PM	#16
hle_625 Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,637	Poor baby! I will be keeping him in my prayers! Welcome to yorkietalk! __________________ Heather, Chloe Lynn and Daisy May

04-08-2006, 09:46 PM	#17
my_buddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Posts: 25	Yes...Buddy vomitted yellow foamy stuff about two weeks ago, too. I am not sure how to prevent this. I have VPI pet insurance. But, if you get them, or any other pet insurance, his pancreatitis will be a "pre-existing condition." My insurance is $28/month...this is for the "major medical" and "prevention" together. I get a 5% discount off because I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin for my own health insurance. I would never not have pet insurance again...I should have gotten it the day we got our little Buddy. If you don't care how much money you spend...KEEP ON THE VETS...make them do more testing... Hope your Morix feels better SOON! Keep us posted. __________________ Mickey & My Buddy (the Yorkie!!!) I love my Yorkie!!!

04-09-2006, 01:43 PM	#19
my_buddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Posts: 25	When I signed Buddy up for his VPI pet insurance, they needed to know if there was anything that he was treated for in the last few months....the vet had to fax them records. Then, there was a waiting period...I think 10 or 30 days...I can't remember how long. But, you don't get coverage from the date you sign up...there is some waiting period. __________________ Mickey & My Buddy (the Yorkie!!!) I love my Yorkie!!!

04-09-2006, 02:17 PM	#20
Tophersmom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada Posts: 860	I lost my beautiful terrier mix, Nighean, to pancreatitis in January. She had had a few attacks in previous months, but through meds and good veterinary care, she was able to recover. This last attack, though, was a bad one. We got her to the vet as quickly as possible, but we could tell that she was suffering. She couldn't move, the pain was so bad. The vet called us later that day to tell us that Nighean's pancreas was devouring itself, and that she was in extreme pain. Her chances of recovery, we were told, were almost nil. We had no other choice but to make the decision to help ease her passing. As one who lives with chronic pain, I couldn't stand the thought of my baby living with this horrendous pain for any longer than necessary. Nighean was only 7 years old and was on the best dog food we could find, and she rarely, if ever, ate people food. Because of this, we were unsure as to why she was having these attacks. It's a serious disease, and if your dog shows signs of an attack, get to the vet immediately. Nighean was vomiting bile (with a strong odor) and couldn't keep water down. (The vomiting is one of the first signs, in our experience) She became withdrawn and stayed still as any movement at all seemed to cause her great pain. You feel so helpless, as there's nothing that you can do to ease that pain except get to the vet asap. __________________ VAL, TOPHER AND SOPHIE http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=295683

04-09-2006, 02:19 PM	#21
megan_kat22 I love my boys! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 1,913	I'm sorry your baby doesn't feel good! I hope he gets better soon! What do you mean by the "prayer position" can you explain that more? My yorkie with a liver shunt does that sometimes, but it's like he is stretching. __________________ -Megan, Tucker & Tripp "My little dogs- heartbeats at my feet" www.dropshots.com/megan_kat22

04-09-2006, 08:53 AM	#18
Morix Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Doggieland Posts: 14	Hi! Thanks for your reply and support.... My question is, how do they know the pancreatitis is a "pre-existing" condition? The doctors are not even sure if it was really a pancreatitis... Thanks!

04-09-2006, 03:09 PM	#22
my_buddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Posts: 25	Yes...the "prayer position" looks like a stretch...but once he gets his front legs down, his hind legs stay up and he doesn't move. He gets a funny look on his face and looks scared. When Buddy gets up from laying down and stretches, he usually stretches with his hind legs up first, then stands up and stretches his back legs out straight...so, the first part of his stretch looks as though he's doing the prayer position....it kind of looks like he is "kneeling." __________________ Mickey & My Buddy (the Yorkie!!!) I love my Yorkie!!!

04-09-2006, 04:39 PM	#24
my_buddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Posts: 25	Buddy did the "prayer position" once in October or November...can't remember when. Then he did it in March...on three separate occasions. Then in April, he did it one morning...two times within 15 minutes...I called the vet at 6:30am. I could tell something was wrong...he just had a funny stare on his face and he was looking back at his tummy area and seemed very, very stiff. He did it for about 2 minutes one time in March. Hope your little one is OK...keep us posted. __________________ Mickey & My Buddy (the Yorkie!!!) I love my Yorkie!!!

04-09-2006, 04:48 PM	#25
ladyt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 837	I sent a prayer up for buddy. __________________ Ladyt (Tammy) & Kiki There has to be a God, because he made Yorkies!

04-09-2006, 06:53 PM	#27
Morix Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Doggieland Posts: 14	Thanks to you all for your input....It seems to me that all our yorkies sooner or later show signs of some of these problems....I wish we could know more to stop the pain. When Morix is in pain he just looks at you in the eyes and does not move or makes a sound, it is the worst feeling.... After reading all these messages I really think that this is not just a matter of breeding, genetics or hereditary diseases. Maybe is just the nature of the yorkies. I hope that buddy can recover asap

04-27-2006, 05:43 PM	#30
my_buddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Posts: 25	UPDATE: Buddy is doing better Hi Everyone, Since Buddy's first hospitalization, he was hospitalized once more over night (2 hospitalizations total). He had a few mild pancreatitis attacks but nothing like the two that landed him in the hospital. The first time he was in the hospital he took his IV out. I asked the doctor if he chewed it out, but his vet, Dr. Angie, told us that he "danced" it out!!! She is so polite!!! He was probably jumping around in the cage like a wild man...as he doesn't like being left at the vet. Dr. Angie switched his food...first we had to feed him boiled ground beef and white rice. He LOVED the boiled ground beef. At first he just gobbled the beef and rice mixture down. Then he got picky and decided that he liked the beef better, so he was spitting (literally spitting) rice all over the floor just to get at the beef. So then I started chopping the beef up into smaller pieces and then he was making more of a mess and didn't seem to be eating much because it was too much work for the little guy to separate the beef from the rice!!! Then, they switched Buddy to Royal Canine IVD Potato & Duck Forumula Light. Since being on this food, he seems to be doing better. He seems to actually enjoy eating now. Before we would practically have to bribe him to eat. He has also been on the following medications: Pancreazyme Zenaqin Cimetidine Metronidazole Buddy went back to Dr. Angie today for a check up, and she seems to think he is on the mend. He has a follow up on May 25th and we are supposed to continue giving him only the Pancreazyme until then. Thanks for all of your informative and kind messages...and for the prayers. We'll keep you updated!!! Mickey & My Little Buddy __________________ Mickey & My Buddy (the Yorkie!!!) I love my Yorkie!!!