Ellie saw a Specialist

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh, gosh - low fat AND low protein??? I can't think of a darn thing to suggest. I wonder what your nutritionist would suggest, bc that seems like a tough one. Is your nutritionist in the same price range as the one I use ($75 1st consult, $55 for follow ups)? I've no idea if a different nutritionist would be of any benefit - bc it sounds like you have a good one...

Yes, low protein and low fat but then again not low fat because she is soooo skinny. I hope 18% is not too much but it might be (depends on the dog). Schnauzers get pancreatitis a lot and their fat level is usually kept between 12-14%. That is too low for Ellie's underweight problem. If they tell me low carbs on top of it all I will scream. I am ready to now. This goes with no corn and no beef.

I think it will only be about $50 to reformulate the diet. I know she can do it but I'm waiting for a diagnosis or atleast what percent of fat her vets want her on, so the nutritionist can go from there. I am even nervous to give her fruit now because I don't want to set off any type of pancreas issue. She could get diabetes if that keeps happening and then we will be in trouble...

Her diet remains as is until I get an answer from the vet or until the fat level or protein level seems too high for her. It would be nice to know what is wrong with her liver because she might not even need low protein but I don't think I should take the chance of increasing it...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

^^^^That says it all.

Well, as long as carbs are safe...so far...you could give her a bunch of mashed potatoes. Most dogs will gobble them up (I add a bit of butter too) - they're easily digested, and they can even soothe the tummy (which is nice). They're also good for mixing in meds too. Just thought of this too - maybe this is one of those times that you could use Nutrical regularly until she gets back on track (as long as carbs are fine).

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

^^^^That says it all.

Well, as long as carbs are safe...so far...you could give her a bunch of mashed potatoes. Most dogs will gobble them up (I add a bit of butter too) - they're easily digested, and they can even soothe the tummy (which is nice). They're also good for mixing in meds too. Just thought of this too - maybe this is one of those times that you could use Nutrical regularly until she gets back on track (as long as carbs are fine).

Here is the interesting thing. She will eat allll day long. Whatever I give her. Ever since I increaded her calories, it looks like maybe she put on a little bit of weight. Hopefully the pancreas problem was a one time thing and it will never flare up again. I have been giving her lots of carbs because she can have them so far and they will make her nice and FAT. Maybe I will make her some mashed potatoes but I can't give her butter because she already gets 1 tsp of oil a day and any more would raise her fat intake level. I don't know if it is okay to do that yet...maybe though. She loves mashed potatoes. Thankfully her sugar levels are fine because she does love to eat so much...
Imagine how confused her vet and specialist are right now.

[cindy0721]

AWW CONGRATS!!! WHEW!!! GLAD she is doing great!!!

[TLC]

Mine don't care for mashed. I bake them into french fries and cut them up into tiny pieces.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by TLC

Mine don't care for mashed. I bake them into french fries and cut them up into tiny pieces.

I should try that. Maybe Ellie will share with me, otherwise I will have cereal.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I should try that. Maybe Ellie will share with me, otherwise I will have cereal.

Hey, Cereal is my favorite meal (breakfast or dinner)
All my gourmet energy is spent on the kiddos and maybe hubby too

[Ellie May]

Here is part of the letter from Ellie's specialist. It is the diagnosis page except we have no diagnosis.

Significant changes notes on ultrasound include hyperechoic and coarse appearance of the right limb of the pancreas, suggestive of prior or chronic pancreatitis. Current diet is low in fat, however endogenous problems with lipid metabolism (elevated fasting triglyceride levels despite fat restricted diet) is a differential which could be assessed.

The urinary tract appears very normal on ultrasound, explanation for inappropriate urination is not identified, unless perhaps Ellie May has periods of inappropriate behavior when she is not feeling well as a consequence of allergies or pancreatitis.

The liver appears quite unremarkable on ultrasound; findings of bile stasis on biopsy could be secondary to pancreatitis episode, or could relate to intolerance for lipid-soluble bile acids. PLI (pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) could be performed on serum sample to assess relative degree of activity of pancreatic disease during episodes of inappropriate urination. She is already on a low fat diet; addition of the cholerectic medication Actigall could increase water solubility of the bile, reduce stagnancy and irritation of liver cells from bile, and normalize ALT levels. Bile acids would no longer be accurately measurable, since Actigall consists of synthetic bile acids which will affect the assay. Possibility of a focal/lobar microvascular dysplasia, affecting a lobe which was not sample on biopsy, is theoretically possible. However, significant widespread vascular abnormality has been ruled out on the basis of biopsy and ultrasound of the liver. Significant inflammatory liver disease is ruled out as well.

Further diagnostic steps to evaluate the urinary problem could include vaginoscopy/cystoscopy, recheck urine culture, cytology of the vaginal vault. Short of these additional diagnostic tests, trial therapy for vaginitis could be considered and would be considered safe, although there is very little evidence of disease activity of this type presently. The family elected to try a 10 day course of metronidazole (response may be a challenge to assess since episodes of inappropriate urination are sporadic).

[TLC]

So...what do you think

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by TLC

So...what do you think

I think my mind went blank when I found out they were 106. I am with the vet on this one and the vet is CONFUSED. She doesn't know what to tell me anymore and neither did the specialist. All we can do is supplement for now and do a couple blood tests to see how her pancreas is. Her tests aren't leaning toward shunt except that one bile acid number... I think a scintography is out of the question since it is so expensive and that is most likely not the problem. I would like to do one and get it over with though. Oh well.... They say she doesn't appear to be in danger, so I will trust them...haha...

[TLC]

Road Blocks Suck

This is how I feel most of the time

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by TLC

Road Blocks Suck

This is how I feel most of the time

And it feels like the only way to remove a road black is to shell out more $$$.

[Ellie May]

Ellie's urination issue came back last night. She is fine again today. Evidently the antibiotics aren't phasing it which means it isn't vaginitis. Since we can't stop antibiotics in the middle, she has to finish them for nothing...oh well.