Our 10 year-old Miniature Schnauzer Katie became very poorly Wednesday afternoon after being violently sick. We took her to the vet who gave her antibiotics and anti-emetics. The next day we took her back to the vet for an ultrasound, x rays, bloods etc. From the tests, our vet discovered she has pancreatitis and she has been at the vet hospital ever since.
Ever since she had the surgery to remove her digit two months' ago, Katie has had problems with her stomach (loose motions most days) - she has been given several courses of antibiotics and steroids, the latter which did help. We also tried various natural remedies (Richard Allport really helped with another of our dogs so we tried her on Slippery Elm, a probiotic etc) Now the vet thinks that she has had chronic pancreatitis since her surgery (according to the research we've done, it can apparently be brought on by trauma?) which has eventually got too bad for her body to cope.
We would appreciate it if anyone else has had experience of this awful illness and we are just hoping - and frankly praying - that she'll get through.
Sorry this summary isn't very well constructed it's v hard to sleep at the moment (Katie usually sleeps in my room and it's hard not having her here) so my writing skills aren't at their best!
Thanks again,
Nicola
Poor Katie, poor you. I'm hoping one of our readers will know more and be able to share their experience. You must be worried sick. All our thoughts and prayers are with you and Katie.
Im praying in Jesus Name for Jesus to heal Katie right away, for her to be home and safe today..and for mom and family's spirit to be high, and hopful, knowing our God can do all things !! -xo
ReplyDeleteMy 6 YR old Spaniel had this and was in the vets on a drip and starvation for a week. Now he is on strict diet of Burns Venison dry food (even another flavour is enough to set off another attack) and natural yoghurt to keep his digestion ticking. Still has infections sometimes tho and has to have antibiotics and be starved for a day. It is a condition they can live with - very carefully - just getting through that first attack that is the scary part. Hopefully your vet is a good one and when she's home you can find a very low fat, anti allergic dog food to put her on. Best wishes to you both. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks to the two people - and of course Beverley - who have already commented - it makes such a difference when people are so kind. Nxx
ReplyDeleteHi, I really hope the vet can help your dog.
ReplyDeleteMy black lab suffered from chronic pancreatitis. Unfortunately for me it wasn't a happy ending, but that was due to us not realising there was a problem until way to late. We think now he must have had it for years. I used to put regular stomach upsets down to scavenging.
Anyway the good news is that the condition can be well managed by medication, in the majority of cases. Morgan, my dog had powder that you put on the food, this acts like an enzyme breaking it down, and doing some of the work of the pancreas.
Steroids can also help.
So in short if your vet can get the right dosages of meds then the condition can be well controlled. It can take a bit of trial and error though so you might have to be patient, but don't give up.
Very best of luck with it. Its a horribly distressing illness that most dog owners aren't really aware of.
Let me know if I can help anymore, I have quite a bit of info on it.
Sara.
Hi Nicola, you are in my thoughts as my Boxer Chatlie is just going through treatment too. He has had several attacks in the past, you just feel so sorry for them when you see them in such pain. He is fed on d/d food from the vets and untill now been on steroids everyday. The lates attack came on when we picked him up from kennels. He too was in vets for 2 days on a drip and starved. Our vet was on holiday and the vet we saw has taken him off steroids and put him on as anti-inflam. drug he has been on this for 5 days and does seem to be improving, it really is a worry and i spent 3 nights sleeping with him on sofa! Im sure your vet is giving the best treatment and your baby will be fine it just takes time and patients.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I'm so sorry you are having to go through this Nicola - it is horrible to see our pets suffer.A previous dog of mine suffered horribly with this and we spent her 1st 6yrs trying to find a food she was ok on to no avail - she was skinny, had nervous aggression, occasional seizures, clay coloured mucousy stools, gurgly tum etc., my vet at the time suggested a home cooked diet, which was a bit better but the thing which sorted her out and got rid of every single one of her symptoms was switching her onto a natural raw diet - it was amazing and we could not believe how quickly she changed for the better and never looked back. I do hope Katie is better very soon.x
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know how Katie is doing - she now has septaecemia - to be honest, we don't think she'll make it. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to write. Nicola xx
Our prayers and thoughts are with you! The septicemia doesn't have to be a death knell. She may just need a bit more time for the medz & treatment to catch up. Remember the miraculous healing power of dogs! Let her sleep. Stress interferes with rebuilding the immune system back up. #PawCircle #PawPrayers #Hope #Love @StasiLeeBaby
ReplyDeleteHello to everyone who took the time to post a comment here.
ReplyDeleteKatie died at just before 7pm last night - we are devastated to lose her but want to thank everyone for their kindness - it does make a difference. Nicola xx
I am so very very sorry. Katie is at peace and pain free now. You are the ones left hurting - the price you pay for loving her so dearly. The powder mentioned in a previous post can be a lifesaver - also ZYME, available through the b-naturals website is really helpful for milder cases.Buscopan and Antepsin (human) both help calm the cramps and inflammation. Buscopan is available over the counter, Antepsin by prescription. My thought are with you, try and take comfort from the good memories of a wonderful dog who enriched your lives.
ReplyDelete