Max the Westie

[Judi]

Re: Max the Westie

my Jenny had pancreatitis her last winter with us.

She was throwing up and in so much pain that her body trembled with it. She couldn't get comfortable to lay down for me to try to comfort her. There was no question, ER vet it was.

trust me, if you have to ask, it may not be pancreatitis.

My vets were so good to me and knew we'd been through so many medical issues that they gave me some of the medicine we'd used for her pancreatitis in case it hit in the middle of the night or on the weekend again. So, every time she hurt for the next month I thought that was what it was. I was wrong. LOL

There is a reason why they are the vets but the pain with the pancreatitis was obvious. every 30 or 45 seconds her little body would just shudder with pain.

As far as the no eating, you did exactly what I used to do, good catch! Judi

[deonsmama]

Re: Max the Westie

Wow that sounds really bad poor babies they are so helpless So there is a medication? I am assuming t only makes them comfortable not actually stop the episode?

[Cara Sandler]

Re: Max the Westie

They've actually started moving away from total fasting with pancreatitis IF the dog is able to handle any food at all - but the feeding is minimal, and doesn't actually have anything to do with the diabetes. It's because the intestines are only nourished by the food in them, and not the food in the bloodstream. So sometimes they will give VERY small amounts of bland food through an NG tube. But again, that's ONLY if the dog is able to tolerate it.

[wehrto]

Re: Max the Westie

Max is not sensitive in his abdominal area and no change in demeanor, stool is still soft but now more formed. After giving him 1/4 of insulin for 7am dose with no food his BG dropped to 174 at 10am (from being 405 this morning which was really high). I gave him 3 tablespoons of boiled chicken at this time and his 3pm BG was 324. Should I forgo his dinner meal also and give him 1/4 again?

[Judi]

Re: Max the Westie

if it were me, I'd see if he wants to eat. No food 1/4, a little food, a little more than 1/4 and so on.

Hope this means he is feeling better

[wehrto]

Re: Max the Westie

I know he wants to eat, he's following me all around and pouting wondering why he didn't get his normal breakfast. He is not acting sick at all, just the loose stools to diarrhea (and the foamy-not yellow vomit first thing this morning) now back to loose stools again. Hoping tomorrow is closer to normal stools. Just didn't know if I should feed a normal supper/normal dose. I would think if it was pancreatitis he would be lethargic, not eating, not running around like he usually does. He had pancreatitis about 7 years ago and this is no where close to what he had back then. He's been drinking and is hydrated.

[amydunn19]

Re: Max the Westie

Deon's mom - There is a blood test for pancreatitis so a concrete diagnosis can be made. It is typically treated with cerenia for vomiting, flagyl for diarrhea and some vets have done antibiotics. They give tramadol or something for pain. All diabetic dogs are more at risk for pancreatitis than a non-diabetic dog. Their pancreas is already damaged so fat in the diet should be kept at a lower level.

If the case of pancreatitis isn't bad, some dogs are willing to eat. I am dead set against force feeding a diabetic dog as there is a reason they don't want food and their body is telling them no food. Best bet is to listen to them.

If Max is hungry, I would feed him a smaller meal, maybe if you can mash it up or liquefy and make the digestion a bit easier for him.

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Max the Westie

if it was a one time throw up and hasnt vomited since i,d let him eat his regular food with his regular insulin but if does throw it up i,d make a visit to the vet. 1/4 insulin no food, 1/2 insulin with eating 1/2 food.

[wehrto]

Re: Max the Westie

He's so hungry, I will give him half a meal and 1/2 insulin. I will have to hand feed him or he will scarf it up. He normally gets finely chopped boiled chicken on top of his dry food, we'll see how he does.

[jesse girl]

Re: Max the Westie

just like anything there is different levels of severity of a disease

hollis decker showed no symptoms but was diagnosed with pancreatitis

thats positive max has an appetite hope he is better in the morning