Erica & Justice

[admin]

Hi Erica

I’m sorry to hear about the vomiting – I agree it sounds like pancreatitis & this sometimes happens with our dogs – azathioprine and/or pred can do this, I’m afraid. The vets can test for this easily & get her sorted out. No food or pills, or even water by mouth is the usual procedure, so they’ll probably put her on a drip. No wonder she’s been feeling so poorly.

She may need to change to cyclosporine (atopica) instead of aza – my specialist told me to stop it straight away if Worzel showed signs of pancreatitis (vomiting & / or diarrhoea) & we would change the meds, so it’s no big deal. Having such a wonderful PCV is going to help her get through this more easily too.

I have searched through sick looking for pills on several occasions (Worzel has a heart medication), so you’re not weird at all, just being a careful, vigilant Mum!

Please tell us how Justice is doing

Love Sheena xxxx

[Erica and Justice]

I texted her vet about her night this morning. He had me bring her in for more blood work and he wants to watch her today. Not sure if she will get an IV of fluids or her meds. I think they want to figure out what is going on. He’s thinking maybe Ulcers? He said the full blood panel should tell. WE LITERALLY HAD TO CARRY HER OUT AND INTO THE CAR. At the vet they put her on a stretcher. I felt so bad for leaving her but she is just so weak – she has never been this weak. I knew better then to get my hopes up yesterday. Let’s just hope this 47 PCV count helps her get better! Plus she has not gone pee – pee since yesterday at 3pm, nor had a bowel movement in almost 48 hours. Somethings going on….my poor baby. I will keep you updated on what they say.
PS. I never did try to give her the meds that did not dissolve. I meant to but didn’t want to make it worse – what ever is going on in her belly. She drank a little after the carafate at 3am but nothing like the drinking she was doing!

[Erica and Justice]

It is pancreatitis! He’s giving her anti – nausia medication and IV fluids. She will have to get that all weekend! Reducing her PRED even more – perhaps none today! He said it’s going to be a balancing act with the meds. He said shes in pain from the pancreatitis and needs that addressed right now. Staying on Doxy today to address that and stopping the Aspirin all together.

[Cindy]

Erica, I am sending you an email (I believe you’ve been on several that went out so I will get your address from those). I will send you all my contact info if you need anything please let me know. I live in Pasco County off Hwy 54 so if you need someone to watch Justice or get anything for her, I’m there ! Since we’re both new to this disease, it might be the blind leading the blind, but we have all the girls on here to give us good advice !

[Cindy]

Forgot to add, I have a wonderful Vet, she works at an eclinic as well several days a week. This is where we took Abby for her transfusion, we first had her at Blue Pearl and the cost was so high, I thought I would have to put a second mortgage on my house to pay for everything :-) The eclinic did it for a 1/4 of what Blue Pearl charge. I can give you that info as well if you want it.

[admin]

Good morning Erica,
I am so sorry that Justice is not well and I know that pancreatitis can be painful. This is however something your vet will be very familiar with and it can be taken care of. I guess if they will keep her on fluids she will have to stay at the vets over the weekend. Not what we all were thinking when we saw those great blood results. But you know what, Justice is where she needs to be right now and where she will be taken care of. The good thing is they will be able to give her all the meds through her IV so her tummy can take a rest from all the harsh medications. I know that most dogs don’t want to stay at the vet, but I also think that they somehow know that there is no choice. If you can I would visit her and just talk to her quietly. Talk to her and tell her it is all temporary and she will be home again soon. Of course she will not understand the words, but she will recognize that you are calm, that there is nothing to worry about and that you got this. Yes you got this! Don’t let this bump in the road get you down Erica, Justice will beat this and be home again soon!

Best wishes,
Brigitte

PS: Great you have connected with Cindy!

[admin]

Hi Erica

Oh, poor baby – I’m so sorry to hear you had to carry her – so terribly weak. Pancreatitis makes them feel absolutely rotten. Now she is in the right place, thanks to your prompt action. I hate leaving them at the vets too, but sometimes there’s no choice. You have been absolutely brilliant getting her the right care quickly. Keep us posted as to how Justice is doing – I will be thinking of you. As Brigitte says, don’t let this small glitch hold you back!

I’m sure you & Cindy will really help each other too – it’s great to have someone else who’s going through the same battle.

Sending love & hugs
Sheena xxxxx

[Patrice]

Erica,
I am so sorry this has happened. It is an uncomfortable condition and unfortunately the treatments we have to use to make to treat AIHA often make them prone to developing pancreatitis. What complicates this further is that we need to get pills into them and fatty foods are often the most appetizing way to do that!

What I can offer to you is that, in most cases, a dog can survive a singular case of pancreatitis very well if they have the correct treatment right away. After an episode you do have to be more cautious about fat in the diet but in general they can go back to a fairly normal diet.

My husband takes the dogs on a long walk Sunday mornings to the store to get the paper. He was always getting a pound of some kind of lunch meat and giving it to them as a treat. Well, Cassie developed pancreatitis one morning from eating about a half pound of this. We tested her and she definately had pancreatitis. I put her immediately on a very low/no fat diet for about 2 weeks. Then I slowly adjusted her diet after that so that it was a normal but lower fat diet. Tests showed she had returned to normal. She has not since had any problems. Treats are now “mommy approved.”

Your vet will help her with the pain and keep her comfortable. We can help you figure out how to feed her with less fat in her diet.
my best
patrice