canine pancreatitis

[skybytch 273]

My son's dog, Dixie, has been a part of our lives for ten years now. She'll be at the vet's for the next three-four days. They'll do three plasma transfusions and some other fluid therapy. They said it's life threatening, as did the website I found with info on the condition.

Dixie's been my kids' best buddy since he was 13. He's not ready to lose her. I'm not ready to deal with him losing her, especially from this many miles away.

So I have to stay positive! If anybody has one, I would really appreciate reading a few stories of how other people's dogs with pancreatitis were just fine after treatment...

Thanks.

btw, don't feed your dog people food and don't let your dog get overweight! By not doing so you'll likely prevent a lot of future pain and suffering for both your dog and yourself. I wish now that I'd pitched a much bigger fit when I realized my mom was overfeeding her...

[sharimcm 0]

Well, I don't have a dog pancreatitis story, but I do have a cat story...

I remember it was around Thanksgiving when I came home and found my cat, Crayon had been vomiting EVERYWHERE. I didn't think much of it, so I ignored it until it kept happening. I finally took her to the vet where they did a series of blood tests, took x-rays to see if she had blockages, etc. They found nothing. My vet suggested an ultrasound / sonogram. Damn, that sounded expensive, but anything for her. I scheduled an appointment with a specialist who set up for her ultrasound to be done. They had to drug her so she would lie still, then they started while I waited in another room. Finally, they told me they had the diagnosis and I needed to come see it on the screen. I walked in, saw my cat lying there belly up with a tube in her mouth, and they proceeded to tell me she had pancreatitis as well as a abnormal kidney. I almost passed out. Nothing was going to take her away from me... NOTHING.

Anyways, I got her all sorts of medicines, followed directions about feeding her, special food, fluid treatments, etc. After about three weeks, she was back up to her normal eating habits. Anytime it would flare up, I'd have to revert back to the feeding plan she was on when it was at its worst. She lived a happy, healthy life for about five years after her first attack. Unfortunately, I lost her to cancer a few years ago. She was only 8, but the memory of her will last forever.

Good luck with Dixie! I'm sure she'll be fine.

"I had a dude tip his black cowboy hat to me after I provided him with a condom outside my hotel room at 3-something in the morning." -myself

[karenmeal 0]

Our dog Jonah has had a couple of bouts with pancreatitis. Before that happened, I didn't know how dangerous it is to feed human food to dogs. We're not sure that is what caused his pancreatitis, and we weren't terrible about feeding him scraps, but it is definitely a behavior that we have eliminated now.

Anyways.. Jonah had pancreatitis for the first time about 2 years ago, now he is 13. The recovery was substantial and we had to really baby him and feed him liquids through a turkey baster at some points. He looked absolutely miserable to us, but sure enough, he recovered really well! Now the only thing that slows him down is his arthritis, but that is to be expected for a dog his size and age.

He has lost about 15 pounds since the first time he had pancreatitis and is now in pretty good shape. You may have seen him roaming around the bar at lost prairie, or swimming at the rope swing, he was the big, black, lab-husky mix.

Anyways, just wanted to let you know that our dog had pancreatitis and is now doing fine.

Good luck with Dixie. I hope she comes out of it just like Jonah did.

Follow your vet's directions to a t!

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[flygirl1 0]

I'm so sorry Lisa I wish I had a positive story for you but, I lost my Golden from that about 4 years ago. I had her since child hood and loosing her was heart braking. On the plus side at least they caught it in time to treat it. Sandy didn't show any sings until my mom found her on the floor shaking and rushed her to the vet. The vet said her pancreas had already burst and they couldn't save her I hope Dixie gets well soon. Loosing a pet is so heard.

Fly like a girl

[skybytch 273]

Thanks for the stories, guys. They do help - yeah, even yours Leah; I know Dixie's was caught early enough that her pancreas won't burst.

Karen, I totally remember seeing Jonah at LP. Matter of fact, I have video of him diving for rocks down at the lake (never seen a dog dive like that before). You have a way cool dog.

[squirrel 0]

i hope all goes well with the treatment. my wife had this condition after a back surgery, and did not eat orallly for 3 months, lived off an IV, and had saline flushes of her stomach, to keep its size, 4 times a day. she now is orgasmic over food.

regarding "people food" for pets. depends on what kind of "people" food, and how you prepare it. I have been home cooking for our 3 dogs for 3 years, (boxers and border collie) and they have improved in health since the switch. but, we use brown rice, (lower in sugars), pressure cooked blended chicken, cooked chicken livers, egg yoks only, and vitamin additives. everything is preparred fresh daily. the book we reference is "Barker's Grub, Easy, wholsome home cooking for your Dog" by Rudy Edalati. I just cant feed my dogs "dog" food, after actually reading and understanding what is in pet food.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[GogglesnTeeth 6]

My wife's dog (our dog) Gracie has pancreatitis. I'm not sure how severe it is, but with the right diet, she does great.
Vibes to your dog! Hope Dixie gets better!
GnT

Goggles and Teeth

"You fall like a greased safe!!!"

[PRSKY71 0]

My dog Gracie had her first pancreatitis attack about 5 years ago. I had made pork chops and thrown the bones in the garbage and went out. When I got back home, the garbage was all over the place and the bones were missing. Of course, this was dangerous in and of itself but little did I know that the next day my baby almost died. I got home from work and she was a mess. She was throwing up, had diarrhea, and was just generally sick. I panicked and because it was after hours I took her to the ER vet hospital. She spent the night there and the next week at her vet's clinic with IV and almost died.
Thousands of dollars later, the vet told me that I COULD NOT feed her human food. I never did anyway, other than bread, before the incident with the pork chop bones. It is very very dangerous. I recently had to take her in to the vet's again, and I confessed that when she was very good I gave her "unsalted saltines" and every once in a while I would give her a small piece of cheese to which he replied "you are playing with her life."
Well, absolutely no more human food for her. She eats "WD" and she does well with that. Now she even eats pumpkin for her constipation problems!! I really hope Dixie gets better and will send her prayers and vibes for a wonderful and speedy recovery!!!

Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process. -- Phillips Brooks

[freefallfreak 0]

Lisa,

God Bless your son's baby, Dixie. My heart goes out to Dixie, you and your son. I lost my baby to old age last Oct (he died in my arms) and it damn near killed me spiritually. It took over a year before I could even touch another animal. I now have a pure white Miniature Schnauser (20 weeks old) and altho he will never take the place of my Cocker Spaniel he's a pure comfort to me. Vibes to you and your's, dear, and know that you are all in my prayers.

TripleF

"Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up."

[karenmeal 0]

How is your dog doing?

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[skybytch 273]

Talked to mom this morning; kid was off to pick her up then. Looks like she's gonna be okay.

[karenmeal 0]

Hoooraay!

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[airtwardo 7]

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[flygirl1 0]

Great news!

Fly like a girl

[Katzeye 0]

Wow - that is the first dog I've ever seen that looks like our Prilia. What breed is she? Ours says boston terrier mix...

Best vibes to the puppy!

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[skybytch 273]

Quote

What breed is she?

Border Collie and (we think) Dalmation.

She's a great dog.
Heard from my kid this morning. She's doing great. And her vets are awesome - they said it'd be $1600... they ended up charging him less than $800.

[guppie01 0]

Awesome news!!!!
What animal hospital did they take Dixie to???

Steve and I will keep the postive vibes rolling!

xoxo
g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Hooray for Dixie!

Glad she's going to be ok. -And that it isn't costing as much as it was supposed to. That's good, too!

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[ladyhawke 0]

Yeah I'm so happy your dog is feeling better. My beautiful precious angel Jospehine had the same thing. It was so awful to see her so sick. But she pulled through. Now she's back to normal and on RX dog food that is easier on her tummy.

Thank goodness for wise and caring vets!

"It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities." - A. Dumbledore