Layla had blood work done today

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

No suggestions on how to cook it in because I just use it as is. I don't know...maybe baked the meat in a little bit of it? Anyway, coconut oil may be a good choice for her (MCT, medium chain triglycerides good for pancreatitis patients). We use olive or canola.

Man Crystal sometimes I feel like i should PAY you for all that you do for us. You are a gem- Can't thank you enough. I've never heard of coconut oil- where does one buy that?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Man Crystal sometimes I feel like i should PAY you for all that you do for us. You are a gem- Can't thank you enough. I've never heard of coconut oil- where does one buy that?

I think Jodie (LuvMySissy) could help you with that...we don't use it.
It is in some of the diets meant for intestinal and pancreas problems (like Purina HA). lol, anything for Miss Layla.

[amandawash]

Ohhh, I was gonna suggest coconut oil! That would be awesome if it worked!

So sorry you are so upset girl, we know how much you do for little Layla. Hope everything is normal! xoxo

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I think Jodie (LuvMySissy) could help you with that...we don't use it.
It is in some of the diets meant for intestinal and pancreas problems (like Purina HA). lol, anything for Miss Layla.

you can get coconut oil from wholefood store; it's in glass jar and it's white and hard (not oily- unless it's heated)

[marcerella02]

thanks for the coconut oil help everyone

i was talking to Jodie and she mentioned that since Layla is on a lipase supplement (to take the weight off of her pancrease having to make it) that could be a reason why her numbers were high. I remember the vet saying that, perhaps the vet tech that i talked to on the phone today didn't know Lay was on those- makes me feel a bit better but just can't wait to get tomorrows results.

[marcerella02]

One of Layla's vets called this morning (man they are so great). She said Layla's Spec cPL came back high- 500. Over 400 means her pancreas is inflamed. She talked to the lab about how Layla has zero symptoms but her numbers are high. They talked about how a) Layla could just have high numbers or b) She could have some sort of infection or cyst on her pancreas. Back in Feb her numbers were good- this could be because the cyst had gone away or someting to that nature. The next step is to go to a University Vet Hospital an hour away to see an internalist and have an ultrasound. Last year we opted out of this beacuse everything had returned to normal- but she said for my peace of mind i might want to go so that way i would have an answer as to WHY her numebrs were high. And if there was a larger cyst on her pancreas- we should have it removed.

So that is what I know- not good, not bad- just... meh. I wish she didn't just have high numbers and that this was all normal but i am forever grateful that she continues to have zero symptoms and that we have wonderful vets who care so much about her.

I will let you know if we decide to do the ultrasound.

[Wylie's Mom]

I'm not much help w/ the pancreas , but I'm sorry you're going through this. I can add that I've found good coconut oil at Whole Foods.

[Ellie May]

Oh gosh.

Since the numbers went down to normal range, that means her numbers don't stay high, so not sure why they would go up like that.

I guess if a pancreatitic cyst can be dangerous (I have no idea), then the U/S would be the way to go.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I'm not much help w/ the pancreas , but I'm sorry you're going through this. I can add that I've found good coconut oil at Whole Foods.

Thanks Ann I am feeling ok about it today. I remember her vet and I had this same discussion last year- her numbers are just higher than most dogs. I hope my parents will fork over the money for the University hospital an hour away and then I can just know for sure what is going on. She is as healthy as a horse, so I am not too worried.

We dont' have a Whole Foods here in Canada- but i'm going to try a local health food store- see what i can find!

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Oh gosh.

Since the numbers went down to normal range, that means her numbers don't stay high, so not sure why they would go up like that.

I guess if a pancreatitic cyst can be dangerous (I have no idea), then the U/S would be the way to go.

odd eh? just when I thought i'd have answer- i have more questions.

She says if the cyst is large- it could be a problem- if they are small and just come and go- then no biggie- but that would explain why her numbers can be some what normal- and then high.

If it is an infection (which i peronally don't think it is) antibiotics should make it go away and then she might be better able to handle oils. HOwever, it if was an infection i'm sure between Feb and now i would have noticed somethign off with her. Oh well- hopefully we will get to the end of this soon.

[marcerella02]

Layla is VERY lucky to have grandparents who love her so much and who want the best for her. We are going to be going to Guelph (the vet hospital) to have the ultrasound done. We are also looking into going somewhere in michigan - so if anyone knows of a similar hospital we can have this done at- please let us know

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Layla is VERY lucky to have grandparents who love her so much and who want the best for her. We are going to be going to Guelph (the vet hospital) to have the ultrasound done. We are also looking into going somewhere in michigan - so if anyone knows of a similar hospital we can have this done at- please let us know

I'd consider "not" going to MSU unless you get a rec. for a specific vet there. Oakland Referral is a possibility. It would be about $400 minimum. Ellie's internist is there and found pancreatitis while not really looking for it. Very, very nice vet, but we still don't know what is wrong with her liver (not really her fault). If you can get the U/S and exam done for under half a grand at Guelph, it may be best just to go there.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I'd consider "not" going to MSU unless you get a rec. for a specific vet there. Oakland Referral is a possibility. It would be about $400 minimum. Ellie's internist is there and found pancreatitis while not really looking for it. Very, very nice vet, but we still don't know what is wrong with her liver (not really her fault). If you can get the U/S and exam done for under half a grand at Guelph, it may be best just to go there.

Our vet said JUST the ultrasound in Guelph will be 400. Not including the exam, blood work etc. Where in Michigan is Oakland referral?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Our vet said JUST the ultrasound in Guelph will be 400. Not including the exam, blood work etc. Where in Michigan is Oakland referral?

Wowza. Yeah, I would come to MI too!!!
I can go look at Ellie's bill and give you the total.
No bloodwork was done because her vet had already done it.
No bloodwork should need to be redone unless they want to look at something deeper. There are several specialists in there and I can only recommend one of them. She did not give me a hard time about homecoooked at all.

OVRS is in Southfield (Oakland county not far from Macomb).
You most likely will not be allowed to be with her for the U/S, but it doesn't take too long. Then she would come in and talk to you.

If you are interested, I can PM you her name. Just so you know though, she will admit if she doesn't know the answer (which is good, but then where else do you turn?) and she isn't afraid to say that maybe higher numbers are normal for some dogs.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Wowza. Yeah, I would come to MI too!!!
I can go look at Ellie's bill and give you the total.
No bloodwork was done because her vet had already done it.
No bloodwork should need to be redone unless they want to look at something deeper. There are several specialists in there and I can only recommend one of them. She did not give me a hard time about homecoooked at all.

OVRS is in Southfield (Oakland county not far from Macomb).
You most likely will not be allowed to be with her for the U/S, but it doesn't take too long. Then she would come in and talk to you.

If you are interested, I can PM you her name. Just so you know though, she will admit if she doesn't know the answer (which is good, but then where else do you turn?) and she isn't afraid to say that maybe higher numbers are normal for some dogs.

Crystal- i would LOVE all of that info please- the general costs, her name. I will see if my vet can send a referral to the US- not sure about that- but hopefully she can.

Our vet wants the bloodwork redone since their machines run high (note to self- always send her blood work to a different lab and save money!)