Experience of pancreatitis?

[BurningBridges]

Hi everyone, what's been your experience with doggy pancreatitis? I've been posting here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/2307695-so-how-does-anyone-cope-when-the-insurance-runs-out-and-dog-is-still-very-ill?msgid=52563515#52563515

(not sure I did that right)

Basically dog was ill for a few months with diahorrea so we tried all the usual stuff then antibiotics and steroids, not much luck he'd recover for a few days then be ill again a few days later. Eventually, we agreed with vet's suggestion for a full thickness biopsy - so abdominal surgery. I have read that this surgery can cause pancreatitis, and the day after the op my dog became seriously ill- first of all he developed peritonitis (not septic thank god) - that was Wednesday, so they operated again and then found that the pancreas was partially necrotised. Now he's still with the vet getting 24 hour care, vet has actually had to take him home with him each night. He rings me a couple of times a day with an update but I am sick with worry. He's a little cockerpoo and its a massive ordeal for any dog.

So we're not sure if pancreatitis is chronic or acute (i.e., caused by operation?) I know its not uncommon so if anyone can add their experience, good or bad, I'd be interested to hear.

Its midnight, so this is the time that I start to doubt all the cheerful "news" given by the vet and his colleagues.

The problem is, DDog is being kept alive by a great many drugs and interventions which are difficult and painful to administer. He looks better because of the drugs, but there is still no sign that any of this support can be removed - they keep him alive, but nothing seems to be "curing" him.

Everything he has must be delivered by drip or catheter by a vet or nurse, and all this prevents him from doing what a dog wants to do, he can't run or play or bark or eat or be in his bed with his family. This time next week he will have had 14 days without being able to do any of those things. And this time next week, if not sooner, we know that the drugs and interventions may start to harm him irreversibly. Can he recover enough to be independent of the most harmful things - e.g., tube feeding - in time?

What you're going through is so hard. This is such a horrible thing to be going through :(
I can't answer your questions, but you're right - the drugs are making him feel better and without them he would be in a lot of pain. I know what my decision would be if this were my dog.
The fact that you have been given hope that after 14 days like this, he should be OK makes things tough - because what if he is? But as you say, what if he's not better by next week and what if the painful drugs and interventions have harmed him irreversibly?

What's your dog's name? What breed is he? (Not that either matters to your situation, I just thought it might be nice to call him by his name :) )

What have the vets said about the possible problems he might encounter because of the tube feeding and drugs?

Sending you hugs xxxx

This is such a difficult situation for you all , I hope today he starts to turn the corner and improve x

Last night the vet removed all of DDog's tubes etc. He is now being fed by syringe and has painkillers by injection. Everything else (i.e., biochemistry that they measure from blood and urine) is just about stable.

We went to see him today and he was ok, maybe a bit down as the painkiller from the drip was incredibly strong so without that he's not so bright. This is the most important time now, the vet has cared for him for 9 nights without a break, DDog and the vet both need to go home soon, so Monday will be D(Dog) day we hope - he will have to come home and only go back each day for dressings and drugs, and he needs to learn to eat again - that's my biggest worry personally.

I say this is the most important time as some of those drugs and interventions he can't go backwards with - its too painful, too dangerous, too expensive, and if he needs them again that means no quality of life.

He has to have a short sedation tomorrow to re-do some stitches, hoping that all goes well and then - we wait. Can DDog pull through this next week? I feel he has a fighting chance, but I can't help feeling apprehensive as well.

That sounds a bit more positive x

He came home!! Course, then all the problem started but hey - he came home!!

So I have to feed him this formula like a cross between baby food and peanut butter, 3 times a day, 100 ml each time, using a syringe. Only it won't go through the syringe, too thick. He ate some last night, but today its lunchtime and he's only had 50mls all day. Took him to vet earlier and they helped out with the various tablets he has to take, got a pill crusher which is a relief, but even the vet struggled to get one tablet down, confidently announced it was all gone and then the dog spat it out on his way back through the waiting room!

But at least he is home, and if I can get him to eat it will be (hopefully) home for good.

Congratulations ! Is he allowed to eat other stuff as well if he wants or is he on a restriction ?

I think its just me and Floral now but thanks to everyone who posted; just to let you know DDog is a lot better, food is still the big issue so far; he has to remain on the formula mix and then I am introducing new foods but his weight has not stabilised, still going down.

He's made amazing progress and its been touching watching his personality come back. We know that he will always be on borrowed time; we might have 6 months or 6 years so every cuddle is precious now.

He does have an unusual complication of surgery not connected to pancreatitis so I might start a new thread on that but in the meantime, thanks for support.