Hello folks,
my lurcher has been very ill with ”pancreatitis” Has anyones dog experienced this and if so what do you feed your dog on,eating a low fat diet is what she needs now and roughly how long does it take to recover.Blossom was very ill it was touch and go last night, no phone call came and I didn’t know how quick it happened she was kept in the vets yesterday and I get her home tomorrow, it all happened so quickly and it wasn’t anything she ate as i always keep an eye on her when off the lead she had every test imaginable bloods,X-rays, body scans etc. I saw her today her skin just hangs as she was so dehydrated, she was not able to eat or drink.Hopefully she will soon be on mend as we need one another. Vi.
Hi Vi, I'm sorry Blossom has been so ill, you must be so worried about her. I don't have any experience with my own dogs, all I know is some dogs have come in to us so underweight that the pancreas needed support until they got some weight on. The vets gave some powder for that, but I can't remember what it was called. Are you still going to Abervet? I'm sure the vet will give you any advice needed. Thinking of you and Blossom, and keeping everything crossed she recovers. Give me a call if you want a blether.🤞🤞🤞
Pat
Pat can you phone me as I lost your number on my landline number I couldn’t find it on the website.I can’t phone on my mobile as I can’t get a signal having loads of problems , or send an email I think my email or phone is in my profile. I am not thinking straight I have so much going on I will send an email with my phone number am I making sense ? I am exhausted with such a worrying week.
HI Vi pancreatitis is horribly painful and of course serious. so horrible for Blossom and so worrying for you. Some dogs are more prone to this than others. We used to give a half tablet of the over the counter medication antacid/anti-reflux drug Ranitidine (brand name Zantac) to one of our dogs who was prone to it. I always keep some of it in my doggy first aid /medicine kits. My daughter who is a vet uses it for her own lurcher who is ridiculously susceptible to bouts of pancreatitis. Chewing a knuckle bone can be enough to trigger a bout of pancreatitis in her!
Unfortunately Ranitidine has been withdrawn from the market for humans for now so difficult to get hold of. But hopefully you can at least encourage her to eat a little bit of a bland, low fat diet (or whatever your vet recommends) to mop up all those corrosive gastric secretions and enzymes that are produced by all healthy dogs but cause problems when the natural GI balance is disrupted. When we lived in Thailand the vets there always used to recommend rice and for dogs with upper GI tract symptoms. I still feed steamed rice and white fish or chicken to dogs showing signs of pancreatitis or pre-pancreatitis or indeed any upper GI tract upset and who will eat this. I once delayed checking out of a holiday home in France to cook rice and fish because the dog became sick on the morning we were due to leave. Luckily the folks who were turning the house round for the next guests had 6 greyhounds of their own and were very understanding!
Wishing Blossom all the best and a very speedy recovery. I would also recommend not hesitating to be in touch again with your vet if/ when she gets home she seems to be getting worse or is in pain/discomfort. It is a difficult illness to know exactly what is happening and if recovery is on track
very best wishes to you both, Georgina
Thank you for replying Georgina .This happened to her so quick and unexpected that I never heard her being sick through the night and I am a very sleeper she was lying in her own sickness her bed covered with sickness ( she has to have a late feed before bedtime as she often puts up bile in the morning ) it took me 4 hours between lifting her on my own, stripping bed washing all bedding I am still exhausted .
As for the boiled rice she had that every night mixed with her supper so she will still get that as she is used to it I got fish and chicken today for her, I will just have to read labels now.
well I started this reply yesterday and today Marion and husband went to a lot of trouble to help this neurotic woman out.Blossom got home from vet yesterday and today slight improvement took drugs wee bit chicken then about 1pm all hell broke loose she bashed and screaming in pain and had to phone pat she got, marion to come and help,any way to cut a long story short blossom is out at the vets at
kingswells at least she will be looked after and after the little sleep all week I might sleep tonight I don’t want ever to go through a day like today I couldn’t cope as I couldn’t lift her and I felt so helpless
Dear Vi - so sorry it has been so difficult. I do hope you got some sleep last night and Blossom had a comfortable night. Please keep us posted and know that we are all thinking of you both b/w G
I think we are over the worst now.Blossom had a bad seizure and I badly needed help with her, she is heavy and my back was Breaking.She fell outside on a concrete step while Marion and peter were here, she has done something to the disc on her back and vet said this will take a long time to sort itself, but she is on strong drugs as the vet said she was in severe pain when she got there but she has been much better today she is eating a little now and only 5min.walks,she has the vet on Wednesday again,
I am so grateful to Pat, Marion and Peter for the help we two badly needed, I need Pat to give me Marion,s number so Pat if you are reading this can you get it for me as I need to get in touch with her it’s important.
gagah,s backup in a crisis will never be forgotten. Thank you so much.
Vi. Xx
An update on Blossom
she is making good progress now her pancreatitis has cleared up after complete change of diet.She had the vet again this week and has to go back again next week still on drugs and only short walks, just happy my girl is better.😁
That is good news Vi, hoping she continues to get better and doesn't give you any more scares. Give her a big hug from me 🤗
Yes pat and Georgina Blossom should have had her last visit to the vet yesterday and just as we were getting ready to go the vet phoned to cancel because of the coronavirus just playing it safe we spoke on the phone and was quite happy when she heard how we have coped with this.Blossom is looking really well now I never seen her coat so soft and shiny and it’s obvious the complete change of diet is agreeing with her she eats better than me,I always sorted her meals and cha cha s before myself I was lucky at times if I managed a sandwich, but I love my pets as being on my own they are all I,ve got for companionship.I will repay GAGAH in some way and thank Marion and Peter for their much appreciated help.
Vi thank you for the update. Sending Blossom a full on ear massage from me. So pleased to hear she is doing so well and therefore you in turn will be doing much better. As your post part illustrates,, vet practices are being impacted by the covid 19 containment measures.By separate post I am going to flag up the critical need for support to keep vet services going.Stay safe and well everyone b/regards Georgina
I am sorry to say blossom had to be put to sleep she took really ill again 2 weeks today I have lost my best pal and companion ,cha cha misses her and constantly talks of her which justs upsets me more. Blossom was a very obedient girl never in the 8 years I had her had she ever needed a ticking off for anything so easy to look after.Two weeks before Blossom had to be put to sleep my daughter lost her cat of 19 years to a similar illness ( she lives in Carlisle ) we cried so much I couldn't console her now she is trying to help me through this , and being in isolation I can't find comfort even hug or see my son so much to happen all at once.
I am sorry this makes depressing reading but my faithful friend is off chasing
rabbits no more pain and I will smile again remembering wonderful times
we shared together goodnight Blossom xx
Dear Vi so sad to hear this. And so sorry for your loss, especially at this time when as you say, you are separated from those who could best comfort. Sending much sympathy and condolences, best wishes, Georgina
Vi, I tried to call you a few times after you sent the email. You must miss Blossom terribly, but as you say, she's not ill anymore. Remember all the happy years you had together. Run free beautiful Blossom.
Thank you folks for the comforting words, I never felt lonely while I had a dog Blossom had a big presence and a big bed in my home and that empty space now can’t be filled but for a chair.I am too old now feeling the winters tough going but I will still be in contact and can maybe help out in other ways.Thanks again for being there when I needed you and always praise the work you all do and if anyone say they are thinking about getting a dog I say get a greyhound they are most comforting and gentle quiet dogs you can get and their volunteers are there also doing work in the background, god bless you all
Vi Hawkins