Pancreatitis Hospitalisation

[schnauzer_mum]

Hello!

We've been through a bit of an ordeal with our almost 6 year old male Bichon Frise, Ralphie.

About a week and a half ago he became very lethargic, but still held his appetite for his dinner and water. I encouraged him to play with his brother (2 year old, standard schnauzer) outside and found when they played, Ralphie would cry out in pain around his back legs / abdomen area.

That same night he became quite distressed and shaking so we took him to the emergency hospital where they conducted some x-rays, with only the conclusion of a possible foreign object blocking his intestine. The next day I brought him to my local vet, who was concerned with the abdomen area and gave me some Tramal to ease the pain.

The next day he seemed ok but not his usual self and so i brought him back to the vet for a follow up urine and blood test - both came back clear. The vet then suggested I bring him back the following day again for a further x-ray to check the foreign object situation.

The second round of x-ray was conducted, with a call from the vet advising that she believed there was something there and to save my dog, they would need to operate. I was devastated, I love my dog and of course I said yes. The vet surgeon took biopsy samples of his intestines as there was no foreign object to be found but his intestines were inflamed. That night we collected him from the vet to transport him to the emergency hospital where he was monitored for a number of days.

Ralphie refused to eat when at the hospital, so they released him (his vital signs were still good) in the hope that it was just where he was as to the reason why he wouldn't eat. We brought him home and he slept for a whole day, refusing to eat and only minimal water. Later that night he had his first throw up, an awful yellow bile which then continued through the night until we brought him back to the emergency hospital where they admitted him for dehydration.

Several days later he was in good spirits but still refused to eat or drink so was on a constant iv drip.

Then one of the vet's contacted us concerned with his abdomen and requested for a third round of x-rays - of course I said yes, i wanted to find out what was happening with Ralphie. She came back with a picture that he held a large amount of fluid in his intestines. We were still waiting for the biospy results to come through the next day, so we decided to wait to find the results before deciding the next step.

The biopsy results came back clear. We were then told that the next options were further surgery as the fear of all the intestines were stuck together or putting him down. The second was not an option.

We decided to go to a specialist surgeon, transporting him there to have his second operation in a week.

The outcome confirmed his pancreas was one of the worst the surgeon had ever seen, he told us in fact he couldn't see it! It was so inflamed and infected, he inserted a feeding tube through his bowel and told us the next 3-4 days would be critical to his survival.

We're now at the 72 hour point and Ralphie is still a trouper. His vitals are still good, he occasionally wags his tail, but is very much sleepy and dazed from the drugs. He is stable but no change. The vomitting has subsided just this morning.

My husband and I have been emotional wrecks from this ordeal - to add insult to poor Ralphie, the first vet who operated on him, their manager called me to advise they are liable for what happens to Ralphie due to their operation and have offered to contribute to the costs (mind you this was the day of the operation, 3 days ago and we haven't heard from him since).

I am desperate to hear of anyone else's situation with such a serious case of pancreatitis. It's cost us a small fortune, but what's money when you have an unwell dog? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[Sticks1977]

I feel for you at this time... I had a similar experience with Fraser (pic in signature)...

Fraser was very lethergic and we took him into AEC in Hallam - they diagnosed pancreatitis and tried to get fluids into him through an IV drip. Unfortunately what went in came straight back out... from what you have mentioned in your post it does not sound like a foreign blockage.

Fraser had swallowed a knotted piece of rope and it never came up on x-rays due to it being a material. His pancreas had gone into overdrive to dry and digest the rope, but since it did not digest he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.

It is not a death sentence for your dog at all - however the diet will have to be managed and looked after and from my experience at AEC they said that if Fraser did make it through, he would have to be on a low fat diet.

Hopefully Ralphie pulls through - but if you suspect he has swallowed any material based toys I would let the vets know ASAP. I never thought Fraser woudl chew off the end of a rope toy and swallow the knotted piece on the end... sometimes wish that if I had my time over again I would have searched the house for anything missing or out of place...

All the best and I wish Ralphie a safe and healthy recovery.

Regards, Shaun (Sticks1977)

[Sticks1977]

It's cost us a small fortune, but what's money when you have an unwell dog? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Unfortunately this is one thing that many pet owners are not aware of - private pet health insurance.

I never knew it existed until one day at my local vet they mentioned it - I took out a policy on Fraser and 6 weeks later (2 weeks after the 30 day waiting period) he became ill. In total the cost of his treatment and emergency hospitalisation was approx. $7,500. The amount to pay per year for the insurance policy was approx. $200 with a $500 excess. I am very grateful that I took out the policy as the vet was able to do everything they could to try and help Fraser and manage him through the difficult time - at least I was able to do all I could for him and in the end find out what caused all the issues with his health.

The costs involved for Ralphie will not be covered, but anything in the future (as long as it is not a pre-existing condition) will be covered. I would suggest that you take out private health insurance as it can save a lot of financial problems if your pets ever become seriously ill again...

[schnauzer_mum]

Thank-you Sticks1977 for your kind words

I did read about Fraser when we finally found out what was happening with Ralphie. Many tears were shed reading your situation.

We're about to head off to see how Ralphie's holding up tonight, I just hope within the next 24 hours he starts to pick up.

I'm bringing him my pj top which will just reek of me, so hopefully he'll feel i'm close and always thinking of him.

[schnauzer_mum]

Just back from the hospital - Ralphie is doing ok, still very sleepy and drugged up.

He did have a little bath to clean up his rear end today as he is doing poo's!

The nurse assures us it's a positive sign as it means his stomach and guts are working through the liquid food their feeding through his tube.

We keep our fingers crossed, our candle lit and prayers to keep him making these small positive steps.

[*Avanti*]

I am sorry to hear about Ralphie and hope he is over the worse now. If it helps at all my dog (6 year old Labrador) had pancreatitis last year and was in hospital for about five days. She was very depressed with it and would not eat or drink anything. I thought I was going to lose her but she recovered and has been ok so far. She has had some other problems which are still being investigated but on the whole she is now a bright and happy girl.

I will be thinking of Ralphie.

[cavNrott]

I have no experience with pancreatitis but I wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and I wish Ralphie all the best. I'll light a candle for him.

[Dogsfevr]

i cant believe how many vets ignore this disease for diagnosis & piss fart about.

Our breed is predisposed to it & have had one dog with it ,it was chronic & no issues as our vet was more on the ball.

What where you feeding the little one??

[schnauzer_mum]

Thank you cavNrott for your thoughts and candle.

Showdog - i'm of the same thoughts - I feel the vet was so gungho to operate on him which ultimately has made him worse.

The vet who operated on him called me yesterday to see how he was, but I feel she wanted more to justify herself than care for our well being and his. I questioned her why the pancreatitis didn't show up when she first operated and she said the pancreas was fine, but the surgeon after the second operation told us it was certainly there because he was displaying symptoms from the first time i brought him to the emergency hospital to get checked out.

Currently Ralphie is still in the hospital, last night they increased his feeding amount via his tube, but he has been throwing up today and they are concerned for his intestines as he's very tender still.

It brings me to tears that they are talking about putting him down. I dont want to think of this option. We are awaiting the results from the pancreas to check if it is cancer.

I'm just heart broken, i had to take the rest of the week off from work.

I just pray for him and hope.

[schnauzer_mum]

It is with much sadness in my heart that i advise the passing of my beloved dog, Ralphie.

He was a fighter till the end.

RIP Ralphie

04.04.2004 - 17.03.2010

[twodoggies2001]

It is with much sadness in my heart that i advise the passing of my beloved dog, Ralphie.

He was a fighter till the end.

RIP Ralphie

04.04.2004 - 17.03.2010

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved boy passing. Pancreatitis is a horrible affliction, and I'm sure you did the very best you could to give him that fighting chance. There are times that the so called professionals who are supposedly in the know treat us with such disdain. RIP Ralphie.

[cavNrott]

It is with much sadness in my heart that i advise the passing of my beloved dog, Ralphie.

He was a fighter till the end.

RIP Ralphie

04.04.2004 - 17.03.2010

I am so very sorry your boy had to leave you. You did everything you could possibly do for him.

How heartbreaking for you.

I will light a white candle for Ralphie tonight.

Rest In Peace Ralphie

[schnauzer]

It is with much sadness in my heart that i advise the passing of my beloved dog, Ralphie.

He was a fighter till the end.

RIP Ralphie

04.04.2004 - 17.03.2010

I am so very sorry schnauzer_mum. Another angel in heaven.

RIP little Ralphie.

[aussielover]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

RIP Ralphie