Barney has pancreatitis - home cooked diet help

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Actually since my last update, we had a bit of a scare. Yesterday, I spent 3 hours at the vet because Barney was just not himself the night before. I figured I'd go for reassurance. Well the news was not good.

We got there and clinically he presented a little better - gave the vet a tail wag. His temp was back to normal so things were looking good. Until we did the blood work.

Blood work came out worse. WBCs were normal, so that was good, but all the enzymes were off and Amylase was 3700 -- worse than Saturday. Barney started to bruise at the site of the blood draw so vet was very worried - thought could be something more, like the big C. So we did an xray to rule out a mass.

The xray came back clear - some scatter near pancreas but to be expected. Three vets examined the blood, the dog, and the films. So the big C is ruled out for now.

Barney is eating well - up to 1 cup of chicken and rice a day - no vomiting and is a little more interested in household activities (kicked T's a$$ over a tennis ball - Go Barney!!).

He is still very very tired. We are guarded over the prognosis at this point - more blood work to be done Monday.

Vet concluded blood work could be worse because Barney was seen immediately at onset whereas most owners let the dog go a day or so then see the vet.

I'm too tired and drained to think more about it. I was in touch with Ellie May over the bruising issue - may not be due to pancreatitis but I am watching him closely.

yep same thing happened with dex when he first had it and we did recheck he was doing great then blood work was off the charts but he was feeling fine - went back a few days later and his amylase and lipase were fine and he was super sick - very bizarre so i think the cpli is much more accurate as i was shocked how when he felt good it was super high and when he felt fine he was normal - bizarre

[YorkieMom6]

I have been extremely busy with all the school work and am so sorry I missed this thread. Sending healing thoughts to precious Barney. Will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Huggs

[107barney]

The last two days have been great with Barney. He's getting a little spring in his step and eating/drinking/playing well. He is not 100% by any means but things look stable at this point. He has follow up bloodwork and visit with the vet on Monday morning.

Thanks to all who offered advice and support - it is very much appreciated!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by 107barney

The last two days have been great with Barney. He's getting a little spring in his step and eating/drinking/playing well. He is not 100% by any means but things look stable at this point. He has follow up bloodwork and visit with the vet on Monday morning.

Thanks to all who offered advice and support - it is very much appreciated!

yeah this pancreatitis really knocks them out so glad he is showing a little spring now

[dhurley52]

Sorry about such a late reply to this post. Glad to hear your little furperson is doing well. I went through the same thing with Molly for 5 days and sure hope it never happens again.My vet put her on
Hill's® Prescription Diet i/d and I know a lot of people think its bad. But Molly seems to like it and before I couldn't get her to eat... So she eats the canned and I add a veggie to it to change it up every once in awhile..Shes not had any problems since and as long as she is healthy and eats and doesn't vomit that's good enough for me..
hope all stays good on your end!

Diana and Molly

[janetvav]

Glad to hear that Barney is feeling better. I am going through and ordeal with my baby right now also. He had to stay at the vet so that they could give him iv's to hopefully help out. She is thinking that it could be pancreatits but his bloodwork came back negative but she still wants to treat him for it. It is so hard to have to leave them there but I want my little buddy to feel better.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by janetvav

Glad to hear that Barney is feeling better. I am going through and ordeal with my baby right now also. He had to stay at the vet so that they could give him iv's to hopefully help out. She is thinking that it could be pancreatits but his bloodwork came back negative but she still wants to treat him for it. It is so hard to have to leave them there but I want my little buddy to feel better.

Awww I hope your baby improves soon. I hate when they are sick and you're right, it is horrible to leave them there! Did he eat something that triggered it and how old is yours?

[Nancy1999]

Can't offer much help, but my son's dog has pancreatitis, and the number one thing that helped was smaller more frequent meals, it wasn't the food itself, it was how much he ate at one time that caused the most symptoms. Hope you find something that works.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by janetvav

Glad to hear that Barney is feeling better. I am going through and ordeal with my baby right now also. He had to stay at the vet so that they could give him iv's to hopefully help out. She is thinking that it could be pancreatits but his bloodwork came back negative but she still wants to treat him for it. It is so hard to have to leave them there but I want my little buddy to feel better.

did cpli come back negative ? If it did it could be a case of ibd or very mild case of pancreatitis. What happened 12-24 hrs prior to incident?

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Can't offer much help, but my son's dog has pancreatitis, and the number one thing that helped was smaller more frequent meals, it wasn't the food itself, it was how much he ate at one time that caused the most symptoms. Hope you find something that works.

could be ibd in small intestines as small frequent meals work for ibd dogs. If the small intestines gets inflamed it backs up and sets off the pancreas. Make sure no inflammatory diets like white potato as that can do it- it happened on mine any time he ate a diet with white potato in it he ended up in the hospital. Now 4 years no inflamatory foods in diet he has been well.

Dogs with ibd can test postitive on cpli as well as have high amylase and lipase per our internal medicine specialist as she is doing a study on this currently

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Can't offer much help, but my son's dog has pancreatitis, and the number one thing that helped was smaller more frequent meals, it wasn't the food itself, it was how much he ate at one time that caused the most symptoms. Hope you find something that works.

In Barney's case it was indeed the food he ate. He is now prescribed a home cooked diet with 3% fat and is doing great! He still eats twice a day and we are slowly adding in some extra low or no fat goodies for him. He is looking great. Here is a photo I took of him yesterday - all restored back to his health and vigor. And he wanted me to add that he is looking good for almost 10 and just getting over near death!

barneyantsbb2.jpg

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by 107barney

In Barney's case it was indeed the food he ate. He is now prescribed a home cooked diet with 3% fat and is doing great! He still eats twice a day and we are slowly adding in some extra low or no fat goodies for him. He is looking great. Here is a photo I took of him yesterday - all restored back to his health and vigor. And he wanted me to add that he is looking good for almost 10 and just getting over near death!

Attachment 313547

you look so handsome buddy

[tortoisekeeper]

I am so glad that Barney is doing much better.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by 107barney

In Barney's case it was indeed the food he ate. He is now prescribed a home cooked diet with 3% fat and is doing great! He still eats twice a day and we are slowly adding in some extra low or no fat goodies for him. He is looking great. Here is a photo I took of him yesterday - all restored back to his health and vigor. And he wanted me to add that he is looking good for almost 10 and just getting over near death!

Attachment 313547

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that diet didn't help, its just that with the right diet, it still flares up if meals are too large. Glad you found something that works for you! You're right, he's a picture of health!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by dwerten

you look so handsome buddy

Awww thanks Dee Dee. Or was that Dex saying it