Dylan is poorly

[Finvarra]

We have been back and forwards to the vet. I think I told you Dylan had been having fits, it was decided to a do a blood screening, and whilst waiting for results he became unwell, another blood test, he has a bout of pancreatitis, poor wee soul, very painful. So it's put on hold re giving him phenobarbital until this has cleared up. Pills, special diet at the moment. He had another fit in Saturday. Vet today discovered a very enlarged lymph node in his neck. Thinks it might be connected to the fits, so possibility of a brain tumour. We are reeling. We are now considering doing a CT scan to confirm or rule out this, or to just continue treating the symptoms.
Will be doing a bit of research to see what is best. If it is a tumour I can't say I'm keen on surgery and chemo. I don't know yet 😢. He is brighter in himself today and not in so much pain, so hopefully the pancreatitis is settling down and we'll see where we go from here.
I think the pancreatitis was caused by him snaffling the fat ball bits that dropped out of the bird feeder, so if you feed the birds, take care!
If anyone has any experience of this would be glad to hear.

[Mudmagnets]

I am very sorry to read about Dylan. Poor boy and poor you too, sending  and  for you all.

Love Irene & Rupert

[ejp]

Gosh, I am really sorry to hear that, poor Dylan.  I think you are right to get the pancreatitis under control first. Then you can take it from there.  A scan may be the only way you will know.  I have no experience of chemo in dogs, hopefully someone can help you. xx

[Jaysmumagain]

Oh Lesley - I am so taken aback to read this. My heart goes out to you and my love and best wishes to darling Dylan.
I am glad he is a wee bit brighter - Harry had tummy flare up couple weeks back - vet thought something he had picked up on river bank.  Really off for about 4 -5days.

I don't know what to suggest with moving forward. A scan maybe, so as to understand just what it is or is not. It is hard to make decisions with one so precious

Hugs to you both.

Julie and Harry

[bizzylizzy]

Oh Lesley, so sorry to hear this, like Julie I?m in shock, Dylan?s just a couple of days younger than Humphrey, it doesn?t seem 5 minutes since we were sharing their puppy antics.
Whatever you decide re treatment, I think in your position I?d probably nevertheless go for the scan then you know for sure what you?re dealing with, can?t offer any other advice unfortunately other than to stay positive.
Sending love and positive thoughts to you and dear Dylan, do please keep us updated!
Love Jayne & Humphrey xxx

[Finvarra]

Dylan is feeling better at the moment re the pancreatitis. He's finished the painkillers and anti nausea tablets, and is almost his usual self. I got the Hills wet food and also their kibble, and within a day he was scratching like mad and puling loads of fur out, so I stopped the kibble immediately and he stopped scratching. Phoned vet, he then said introduce the Hills gradually, Imwishnhe's said that at the time, as I thought it was urgent  .
Anyway, he'll have another blood test in a week )?250), so see if all the pancreas levels are back to normal, and then we'll decide about the scan, and also start the phenobarbitone for the fits.
My poor lad.

[bizzylizzy]

Glad Dylan?s feeling better, I?ve been thinking about him all weekend, poor lad. Must admit sorting the food can be a bit of a headache! Because Humph?s kidney levels were raised, I was advised to lower the protein and increase the fat in his diet but from what I?ve gathered on here over the years it would seem that cockers are vunerable to pancreaitis and that fat isn?t good, so I don?t really know what to do! I think as they get older though, any change of food is supposed to be introduced gradually but then they?re all different, its often just a case if trial and error. 

Hope you can get some clarification soon, I do feel for you!  Give Dylan a cuddle from us, fingers crossed for the scan! Xxx

[Finvarra]

Dylan is also,supposed to be on low protein for the same reason, so,low fat and low protein, he'll be eating lettuce soon! Love to Humph.

[bizzylizzy]

 

Dylan is also,supposed to be on low protein for the same reason, so,low fat and low protein, he'll be eating lettuce soon! Love to Humph.

 

[ejp]

I'm glad Dylan is doing better.  I think you are wise to deal with one thing at a time.  McAdams do a good low fat wet food if the Hills is causing him an issue.  They list everything on their website regarding fat content etc.  Cuddles for Dylan. 
https://mcadamspetfoods.com/en/dog/wet/

[Finvarra]

We have had a follow up blood test today, and pleased to say that the lipids (?) that signify pancreatitis have dropped from 2000 to 430 (and the machine stops at 2000 so could have been higher). All the other flags have reduced substantially too, the vet was really pleased as he didn't expect such a quick drop. He's got his phenobarbital today for the fits, review in two weeks (another blood test), so fingers crossed the dose is OK.
Now have to carry on with a low fat diet, so researching different foods, cos I don't like the ingredients in Hills (floor sweepings). Actually the Barking Heads senior heads he was on is very low fat.
No dog biscuits or treats, though he can have veggies and fruit, which he likes.
Also his lymph glands have gone down a lot, so perhaps the vet was being a bit previous with the brain tumour idea. He has no other BT symptoms, so we are watching and waiting on that at the moment.
Phew! A better weekend for him and us.

[bizzylizzy]

OH that IS  good news!!! hopefully it was just a one off and with a controlled diet  he?ll be fine, the swollen lymph glands were possibly a reaction to the pancreatitis maybe (?) . Give Dylan a big hug from me, and give yourselves a treat, you must be so relieved.
Have a good weekend xx

[Finvarra]

I asked the vet that, but he thought not.
Had a nice bottle of red tonight  .

[Mudmagnets]

Such good news, really pleased for you both 

[Jaysmumagain]

Oh Lesley so pleased to see your update.....Two big hugs from Harry and his human

Hope you enjoyed the wine