CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Qwerty on March 22, 2023, 06:15:09 PM
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Mollys had a few health issues lately including finding out her kidneys are not functioning brilliantly and she is on tablets for high blood pressure. But the latest is pancreatitis (diagnosed with the special blood test). After 1 day of barely eating and vomiting we are now on day 6. Apart from that first day she is has still been keen to to eat but now has diarrhoea. Vet has given pardale v today for pain since she still seems uncomfortable and she is also quieter than normal. And she is to get an ultrasound scan tmw to see if anything else going on. I’m a big worrier and jump to worst case scenarios at times like these! So if anyone has positive stories about dogs coming through the other side and how I can help her I’d be really grateful. She’s only 9!
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Sadly mine isn't a positive post, but the following info given in this post by Phoenix on 6th Feb this year may help:
"Several cockers on here have had pancreatitis that develops into Epi, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The pancreas is worn out. There are symptoms that include desperate hunger because they can’t digest their food and will lose weight . The poo is greasy looking yellow / grey and like a cowpat or Mr Whippy.
There is a specific blood test your vet could do, called cTli . Most vets know nothing about epi. My vet eventually saved my dog just in time. Then giving enzymes in the food replaces the missing ones and the dog improves with B12 and antibiotics, normal low fibre food. It is a life long condition, but my dog lived with it for eight years till she was 12 .The best information is on our website:
www epi4dogs.com
All breeds of dogs can suffer from this . Vets suffer from lack of experience with it. Any questions you have,do please send me a private message. Do suggest it to your vet, they may be grateful."
Not sure if this is the same blood test that Molly has already had? I hope the info can help Molly :luv: :luv:
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Thank you for this information, I wasn’t aware and will keep in mind to discuss with our vet.
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Just wanted to say I am sending positive thoughts to you and Molly.
Sleepless nights have a way of getting us even more anxious.
I hope today brings some positive news for Molly.
Julie
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I am assuming your dog is on a specific diet for the kidney issues, but the Pancreas issue sometimes takes a week or so to calm down, the dog must always be fed a very low fat diet, to stop any further flares. My girl doesnt have kidney issues but she has had Pancreatitis since was 8 and now is 13 . Critically if you dog does present with a flare , looking ill or off food, then the important thing is pain relief asap followed by sufficient hydration, dont worry if they dont eat as they will once they feel better
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Molly has a pancreatic tumour with likely spread. I really can’t believe the news I got this morning and I am completely devastated by it. My little pride and joy. I have her at home to spend time with her and the most awful appointment is booked for Monday. I honestly can’t imagine my life with out her right now and am heartbroken.
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Am so sorry to hear the news wasn’t good. Stay strong for your girl and take comfort in each other this weekend, however poorly she is, she knows you’re there.
Thinking of you both and sending positive thoughts!
Xx :luv:
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I am so saddened to read this. I can feel your pain.
Be strong for your girl and saviour every moment, I wish I could find words of comfort for you, it is so hard.
Keep your little girl close and be strong for her.
Julie
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I'm so sad to read your news and can only echo thoughts of Julie and bizzylizzy :luv:
:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for you and Molly
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:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for Molly.
Any illness is heartbreaking but when one is young , just no words
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I am really sorry and very sad to hear this 😞
There are no words to make this any easier.
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Thank you for your kind thoughts. It’s so very very hard. My little molly is sleeping beside me on the rug as she would normally do and she’s had some boiled chicken earlier for tea. I just can’t believe we’re in this position when she was as fit as a flea only weeks ago and only a few days ago anyone seeing her would never have known anything was amiss as she trotted happily along on her walkies. She’s really such a lovely lovely dog and is often mistaken for a puppy in her demeanour, so loving with everyone she meets. I’m glad I have this place to write. I don’t feel I have friends in real life that understand this bond. I just love her so much.
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Thank you for your kind thoughts. It’s so very very hard. My little molly is sleeping beside me on the rug as she would normally do and she’s had some boiled chicken earlier for tea. I just can’t believe we’re in this position when she was as fit as a flea only weeks ago and only a few days ago anyone seeing her would never have known anything was amiss as she trotted happily along on her walkies. She’s really such a lovely lovely dog and is often mistaken for a puppy in her demeanour, so loving with everyone she meets. I’m glad I have this place to write. I don’t feel I have friends in real life that understand this bond. I just love her so much.
It's sadly true that it can be difficult for some folk, even those close, to understand the bond you have with your dog, I remember when I lost Branston, my sister - thinking she was being kind - said 'never mind, lets go shopping it will help you forget about him' :-\ do come and chat on here when you feel the need, there is usually someone around to listen and share your feelings. :luv: :luv:
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What a dreadful shock, I'm so sorry to hear your news. There are no words, but I will be thinking of you and Molly over this sad time. :bigarmhug:
Lesley
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Update - molly has been eating up her boiled chicken. She is tired but so keen to keep to her normal routine and was following me around to get out for a morning walk at her usual time. I didn’t think I’d have her in the car again but she obviously was desperate and so I popped her in and she just seemed so much happier. I took her a short distance along the road and took her out for a gentle bumble and sniffs which she so seemed to enjoy. Home for more chicken and a sleepy afternoon. I’m now questioning if the ct report (from specialist) could be wrong? Maybe it’s just the strong pain meds making her tired and she’s battling a severe case of pancreatitis? The specialist report couldn’t say absolutely definitively that the images showed malignancy because that’s only possible with a biopsy and I couldn’t put her through that. But they said the mass was most likely to be malignant rather than anything else. I’m clutching at straws I know. Haven’t slept really and mind is a mess.
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It's good that she wants to carry on as normal as far as possible, strange how one investigation usually leads to the need for another, biopsies I imagine are quite intrusive with the need for an anaesthetic and I can understand you not wanting to put her through one of those.
Don't want to sound pessimistic but it's worth considering that the strong pain meds as well as making her tired, may be allowing her to carry on with some sort of normal. It's a difficult one to be sure. :luv:
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I‘m very reluctant to build up hopes, every case is different and its never good to make comparisons , however, I faced a similar situation with my last dog who became ill very quickly, his stomach swelled and the scan revealed a very big tumour on his spleen. The vet said it was most probably malignant and and didn’t think a biopsy would reveal any different. I was totally in shock as I couldn’t believe a tumour of that size had developed, to my knowledge, within days. In the end he agreed to operate, the tumour was the size of a football, but it was harmless, he recovered fairly quickly and lived for another few years.
As said, I‘d hate to build up hopes but it‘s maybe worth discussing your concerns with the vet again, if only for your own peace of mind that the decision you’re having to make is the right one for you. It is possibly grasping at straws but every dog owner does that in this situation and the vet will understand that. As to the question of the painkillers, Mudmagnets has a very good point, however Humphrey, my current dog had a very bad reaction to Metacam, caused stomach bleeding, and had to change to Novalgin.
I must add however, I have no experience of pancreatitis, my dog‘s condition was different but I have had to make that awful decision twice so I know how important it is to be comfortable that there really was no alternative.
However it turns out, I wish you all the very best and am thinking of you.
:bigarmhug:
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Best wishes to you and Molly today. :luv: :luv:
:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
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Best wishes to you and Molly today. :luv: :luv:
:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
From me as well! Will be thinking of you! :luv: :luv:
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Oh my goodness! The vet has been to the house and molly is still here! Our lovely vet came out and after discussion and a wee exam of molly he can see that she’s still alert - molly gave him and the nurse such a greeting! - and has quality of life as she is enjoying her chicken so much and wee trips in the car for short donders and sniffs. I know that mollys scans show how ill she is and things could still take a sudden turn but she can still potter about for now. The vet is coming to see her on Wednesday to see how she is then. It makes such a difference seeing one’s own vet in person - it was a vet I didn’t know molly that discharged molly from the hospital on Friday and read us the ct report from the specialist- she was nice but doesn’t know me or molly. I know it’s borrowed time but I feel more settled with everything just having seen the vet that we know and trust. It really makes such a difference. She’s had a wee trip in the car to a nice spot after vet left, had her chicken for lunch and is now snoozing on the rug in the sun. Part of the super scary bit after the hospital was how ‘drunk’ she looked but she was so doped up with strong painkillers, had just had a shot of methadone and home with big doses of gabapentin and codeine which she doesn’t seem to need so cut down and vet fine with this. Anyway, I get to cherish molly another day! Thank you for all your thoughts.
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That is good news indeed, I am so pleased for you, even borrowed time is time she has, which is so precious. I agree about the vet knowing you and Molly and he obviously knows you both well. Rather like the vet equivalent of hospital docs and our own GP's I guess.
While she is having a rest, maybe time for you to have one too? :luv:
:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for Molly and you
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So pleased for you. I was dreading reading your update but it has made my day that Molly is enjoying today. :luv: Enjoy every precious moment with her as I am sure you are doing. Big big hugs to you both :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
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I am so pleased for you and to know Mollys vet has seen her, no one knows you girl like you and also the usual vet.
These days precious and days to cherish.
Regards Julie
:bigarmhug: to Molly
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I can only second what everyone else has said. I‘ve been thinking about you all day and so pleased that you’ve seen your own vet, it makes all the difference.
Despite the outlook, I hope you and Molly are still able to have many more happy days infront of you, live for the moment and cherish this precious time.
Best wishes and :bigarmhug: to you both!
Jayne x
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Thanks Mudmagnets for bringing up the epi post.
QWERTY, So stressful to read your post.
My beautiful cocker lived with kidney failure for a a month, and it totally broke my heart. My springer with the pancreas problem of epi was eventually fine once diagnosed. I know what you mean about closeness.
I have a friend whose dog lived for normal years with pancreatitis, eating eggs and pasta. .
It’s difficult that you can’t get a proper diagnosis. I certainly wouldn’t want to have a biopsy with a general anaesthetic done on a poorly pup. Keep on following your instincts. I know nothing about tumours or ‘masses’.
Pancreatitis can lead on to Epi, which is when the pancreas rots away, and can’t produce enzymes to digest food, especially fats. You could ask your vet if it would be helpful to use the replacement ones to help her. If she’s got diarrhoea, it would be good for her before she loses weight. From my experience, vets know thing about pancreatic problems, so be reassured that trying enzymes won’t harm a dog .
Capsules with granules called Lypex are easiest, but very pricey. They don’t need a prescription and are cheapest online from Vetuk and similar. Humans use Creon.
So good to read that she has rallied round, and enjoying all your love. It reminds all of us to make every day special.
Give her a hug from me xxx
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Little Molly put to sleep yesterday afternoon. Peacefully at home with me by her side. The vet said it was her big, characterful heart that had kept her going. Wagging her tail to the very end she sank into the most restful sleep that she was ready for and deserved. She is missed beyond measure. Thank you for all your thoughts.
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Feel so sad to read this but what a peaceful way to go. :luv: I think we would all choose such an end for ourselves and loved ones. Surrounded by the ones you love, peacefully.
I am thinking of you now and for the days ahead. Remember the happy times :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
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So sorry. The last good thing you can do for her. Remember the happy days :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
Lesley
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Am so sad to hear this. What a little fighter. It's times like this we learn To love is not a bed of roses, it also brings thorns. And to walk that on patch of thorns is the deepest love of all
run free little Molly :luv:
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Feel so sad to read this but what a peaceful way to go. :luv: I think we would all choose such an end for ourselves and loved ones. Surrounded by the ones you love, peacefully.
I am thinking of you now and for the days ahead. Remember the happy times :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
Couldn't have said it better, God rest dear Molly :luv: :luv:
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It's times like this we learn To love is not a bed of roses, it also brings thorns. And to walk that on patch of thorns is the deepest love of all
run free little Molly :luv:
So true.
So sorry to read hear your news, but glad that Molly was able to cross the bridge peacefully with you at her side. Sending heartfelt :bigarmhug:
Run free over the rainbow bridge dear Molly . :luv: :luv:
Xx Jayne
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I'm so sorry about sweet Molly. Brought a tear to my eye thinking about what you're going through, and the paw prints our sadly departed buddies leave on our heart.
Gone, but never forgotten :luv:
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Saddened to read of Molly's passing.
Your beautiful girl was peaceful at home. Run free sweet girl.
My thoughts are with you.
Julie
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I am so very sorry. Sweet Molly crossed the bridge in the most gentle and best way possible, wrapped in love. Run free little one :luv:
Sending my love and comfort your way. xx