My 80# 6-yr old female Weim was just diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, most likely due to high fat diet. She spent a full and night day vomiting, I took her to the vet, they gave her fluids. She was so ill that she could barely stand/hold her head up. She was then hospitalized for two days, receiving fluids to rehydrate her. She also had an x-ray, no obstructions. her blood work showed very high amylase and lipase was over 6000 (500-1500 normal range). After discharge from the hospital, she returned to the vet for another liter of fluids (total of 4 liters). she came home with me that night. Since home she has little to no appetite, no matter what I offer her. I know we don’t want to give too much food with an already angry pancreas, but has anyone had any experience of losing their dog because they refused to eat after pancreatitis? I have tried boiled chicken, boiled hamburger, sweet potato, scrambled eggs, yogurt. I am so afraid I’m going to lose her. I have tried pretending I’m eating it and giving her some. I have tried giving some to my other Weim and giving her some … all of which failed. I think she also has a trust issue now because of all the medications being put in whatever little she was eating.
Anyone have any insight?
I’d get her buns back to the hospital for more supportive care. The last two I’ve had as patients stayed on IV fluids for a full four days before they had any interest in food. It’s a rough illness to have. She likely needs IV fluids, anti-nausea medications, pain control and possibly antibiotics. When my girl had this, I kept her on IV fluids and nothing by mouth for 72 hours.
They have given me antiemetics (1x day 1 hr before food – as if she’s eating any!), antibiotics (to be given once she starts eating), but no pain medication. I wonder if this is because they think her liver is compromised and they’re not telling me. I’m so scared.
P.S. She is drinking water and urinating, but has not had a BM since before this incident. The vet says there is something forming high up inside, but it’s not really firm, probably why she hasn’t eliminated it.
Call your vet & discuss these things or better yet, go in for a consult.
The vet may’ve hoped that the familiar home setting would help with her feeling better, if you feel she’s in pain etc, then go back to the vet.
My dog did not eat for several days when she had pancreatitis, and I she was not herself for about 2 weeks. I want to say it was about a week of IV fluids and such. I was sure she was going to die. My normally active dog would barely lift her head and showed little interest in anything.
It was about 4 yrs ago, so I don’t remember all of the treatments, but I do remember I could not get her to eat the pills, and had to force them down her throat.
I think she ate boiled chicken and rice before regular dog food, and then it was canned Prescription Diet for awhile before switching to the dry food.
Some dogs are very good about self treating, and will not eat as long as they feel bad. However, as a general rule we also like to keep them in the hospital until they are eating willingly.
You haven’t said how long she has been home and not eating. A big dog can go for quite a while off of their reserves, so I wouldn’t panic yet. I also doubt that if there is concern about the liver that would be withheld from you. There are a lot of pain medications that are safe for dogs even if they have liver issues so if they didn’t send something for pain I think it is more likely they didn’t feel she needed it.
I would give your vet a call, and have them recheck bloodwork and see if she needs more fluids.
We had a dog who had several attacks of pancreatitis during her life. The first was the worst, she spent 5 days at the vet.
She was switched over to a low-residue dog food and we had to read labels and buy only low fat doggie treats. After her first attack she was never ever deliverately fed another piece of human food.
For each subsequent attack she was taken completely off of food and water for a handful of days so that her pancreas could calm down and get itself back to normal. We would take her to the vet every day for sub-q fluids so she wouldnt dehydrate. She would also get anti-naseau meds, puppy pepto, pain killers and antibiotics. Once she would be given the clear to start eating/drinking again food was introduced back to her in small amounts to not overload her system.
Got to the point where I would know she was having an attack before her bloodwork would indicate much of anything going on.
Good luck, hope your pup is feeling better soon!
So sorry your dog is not doing well.
Pancreatitis can range from very mild to severe. The mild cases ( which are most common) can be treated well at home but the severe cases tend to need more intensive care. I can not tell if she is more mild or severe but your vet should be able to help you with this.
If she is not improving it may be worth having some blood work rechecked. We do worry about kidney function with acute pancreatitis. If her labs are not improving and she is not improving it may be worth having a radiologist do an ultrasound. This will allow you to have an idea of what the pancreas looks like. More importantly it will tell you if there is an abscess, pseudocyst or biliary obstruction is present. These are very rare complications but do occur.
Often these just take time, IV fluid and IV pain medications.
Hope she feels well soon.
Out of curiosity, what was the dog’s diet prior to the pancreatitis?
Another issue with more acute and sever pancreatitis is the scar tissue left over from the digestive enzymes trying to digest everything in the abdominal cavity. This can be really serious stuff.
What does the blood work show? what are you doing now? What is the current status?
JINGLES FOR YOUR DOG ~~~~ AO
JINGLES & AO for you dog ````
When in doubt return to vet :yes:
Jingles! Poor dog, poor owner. If she’s in pain and has been feeling sick for days, she probably has lost interest in food. It is very scary to see that in a normally food-fascinated dog, but it is probably temporary. However, I would definitely go back to the vet and ask about pain medication, tell them she’s not eating at all and everything else you need to know. There is no need to sit home getting more and more frightened. Hugs.
My cat is currently in the hospital for this (second time) on iv fluids and antibiotics. Cats unlike dogs can not go for days without food.
I got needles and a water bag and had a lesson in giving water under the skin(subcutaneous).
Between the last and this attack, I have been giving her Tagament whenever she lost her appetite. She would look at her food longingly, bit not touch it and hang around the water bowl and not drink.
I found got cat sites for renal failure that included info on pancreatitis.
One helpful hint, put their food on a platform, so it is at her head level. This helps with acid reflux.
Fresh water is important. Last year I found a motion detector gadget you add to your outside garden hose. When dog walks up to it it let’s out a stream of water. So dog has access to fresh water at will.
On the cat site they have reference to specific rx cat food.There is a lot to consider, good luck.
MORE JINGLES FOR YOUR DOG ```
JINGLING MADLY FOR YOUR DOG ```
SENDING JINGLES & AO !!~~
I am so sorry; I’ve had a dog who would get mild cases, and one who had a severe one.
I second/third/fourth going back to your vet to discuss. Or getting a second opinion. I know my dog with the severe case needed pain meds the whole time.
Plasma, which is I guess a cutting-edge (not common) treatment, also helped my dog – he got it a few times and each time perked up.
