Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up The Lambies are onto it. I hope you get lots of answers. It sounds like she's in the right place for that. Thinking of you both.
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up Sounds like she is in the best place for her at the minute. I hope all goes well x
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up, only Not! Well, it's not pancreatitis, although has the condition, she has scarring, and will always need a low fat diet. It's not a lot of things. It appears that she has mild paralysis in her throat which affects her swallowing. A very long story and I'm not quite sure of the exact details yet. Damson had a fluoroscopy nerve studies monitoring her digestive motility from intake to output. In essence, some food can remain in the top of her gullet, combined with her early laryngeal paralysis, this can set up an irritation and a feeling of choking, hence the retching and bringing up of acid rather than food. Who knew? I did question why when she'd only had low fat kibble as a titbit reward 36 hours before the first episode, it should appear as identifiable 'cube' in the bile vomit, undigested, but this was overlooked by all in the quest to find a digestive issue. No point in recriminations, although I'm kicking myself for not pursuing my question ( probably a eureka moment fuelled by hindsight). The point is we have some better information, and will manage her food intake accordingly. No more treats, hard food of any sort because it could stick. No grass snatching, opportunistic snacking or the like. She might need a muzzle to prevent it, but the jury is still out on that. Soft, low fat food, fed ( as already doing) from a high level bowl. Resting after eating - in an open plan house I'm going to crate her fir an hour- and make sure nothing falls on the floor when I'm cooking- going to have to be faster than a Labrador! This regime will also have to apply to our other older girl ( currently on chemo following surgery to remove a hidden and asymptomatic and unsuspected anal tumour- another long story which I will share if anyone is interested), because my two have an advanced sense of 'fairness'! One other thing- so glad Damson has a harness and her collar is only used to carry her tag; it's vital that nothing constructs, or puts pressure on her throat. This also means that her habit of resting her neck and head on a knee or side of a bed/ chair has to be stopped. I think training OH on this will be harder than training Damson! We haven't had Damson scoped ( endoscopy) this time as the vet specialist didn't think it necessary, given the u/s, CT and fluoroscopy, so she hadn't had to go through a GA for this. Still awaiting some further blood results and stool sample test results, but should have her home again soon. Its been tough on all of us. I hope that sharing all the details may help anyone else whose dog shows anything like Damsons symptoms. I shall also discuss this with my regular vets as an adverse event in the hope that they might consider this possibility for any other dog, Labrador or not, in future. So, the story isn't over yet, will wait for the outstanding test results and see how managing her condition and it's restrictions works out for her, and share any news. I think I ought to put it under a new topic so people might find it, Suggestions?
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up Pleased that all the tests have produced an answer to Damson's problem and you can now plan for the future to manage her condition. Hope you have her home soon and all the other tests come back normal.
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up Good you have some answers now and can plan for management. Poor Damson has been through it and she and you will be glad to get her home for some well-deserved cuddles
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up What a time you've had,not only with Damson's issues but your other dog too.I hope she's getting over her treatment successfully?It sounds like she's had the most thorough examination and it sounds like you already put plenty of thought into how you are going to manage going forward. As Damson doesn't have pancreatitis it might be an idea just to change the title of your thread to something like Damson's Diagnosis - Not Pancreatitis I know a lot of members and us Moderators remember situations that have been discussed,we can direct anyone experiencing similar symptoms.....
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up I'm so happy you have found out the cause. And interesting that you had some insight but perhaps not the technical background to push a particular point of view? Your experience is definitely useful for anyone else who might need to pose questions to the vet to think of anything other than what they are assuming, which can cause "inattentional blindness". (One study that comes to mind is one where 26 radiologists were asked to find cancer in healthy lungs (x-ray) and only two saw the gorilla picture superimposed in the x-ray. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/201...ists-can-miss-a-gorilla-hiding-in-plain-sight.) Now you can go back to enjoying your girl (aww not to have a head on the knee, I don't think I could bear it, so hard having to be restricted). Best of luck and thinking of you.
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up This must be so difficult for you. I'm sure you're desperate to get her home again and hope your management plan goes well.
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up I'm glad you've finally got a diagnosis for Damson and it sounds like you have a good management plan already. You could change the title of the thread or start a new one with the name of this condition then as you've said others can get advice and help from what you've been and are going through. I have basket muzzles for my dogs for vet visits because of them being so reactive towards people touching them. They don't mind wearing the muzzle at all in fact I offer it and they immediately stick their noses in so although you might not like the idea of Damson wearing one if you introduce it slowly she probably won't care as much as you apart from hindering any scavenging opportunities of course. If you decide on a muzzle and you have any questions I'd be happy to help. I hope everything goes really well for you now with both dogs. Fingers crossed.
Re: Pancreatitis.....another flare up What a worry dogs are. I am so glad you at least have an answer and can now start planning how to manage her best. Fingers crossed your problems are no more than small ones from now on in.
