Thought it was the end for Vinca.....

danisgoat said:
So our Vinca was 15 in September.....she is getting up there in age. Over the last couple of weeks she has really slowed down, started throwing up one of her meals a couple times a week. And just seeming more "out of it." I was really preparing myself for thinking it was time. We had the vet out last week to do some bloodwork to see if maybe she developed cushings or diabetes because she was drinking a lot more too as well as losing weight. Well, it came out that she had a bad case of Pancreatitis. She had this once before, but it was way more of an acute sickness, not a slow decline like whats been going on now. So she is on an antibiotic, anti-nausea pill, and GI RX dog food and is doing great. Even with all the snow we've been getting she seems to be feeling good.

Here is a photo of her after making it up to my daughter's bedroom on the second level....so proud of herself for making it all the way upstairs!
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A sweet sheltie!!! ❤
 
danisgoat said:
Hey Caro...

Vinca is on Cerenia (abx) and metronidazole for the nausea.

Is it hard to manage the chronic pancreatitis? Poor girl....they are so stoic as Ann said. I feel bad that she was that sick....and I didn’t really know. I was just chalking it up to her old age.
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I had no idea about Tully either, it was Deska's IMS that identified it 2 years ago. The metronidazole actually inhibits inflammation and immune responses in the pancreas, even though it's primarily an antibiotic. I always have some extra at hand because it's not unusual for Tully to have a flare up for no apparent reason. I'm told it's really painful so our dogs are definitely stoic.

With cerenia, it is fantastic for vomiting, although it can make them very drowsy. For general nausea Ondansatron is better, as long as your dog isn't MDR1. I keep both on hand, but more often use the Ondansatron wafers - easiest to administer.

Being on the low fat diet will make a huge difference. If you are giving the dry I'd suggest adding water as you want them to be well hydrated all the time. Tully is also now on 4 feeds a day, 6 if she has a flare, to reduce the digestive stress on her pancreas.
 
Caro said:
Tully is also now on 4 feeds a day, 6 if she has a flare, to reduce the digestive stress on her pancreas.
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Oh wow...this is good info. Thank you. I had the antibiotic and anti nausea medicine mixed up. I am only feeding her three times a day now. I will make sure to add a couple more times in. Poor girl. I feel so bad that she was in that kind of pain.
 
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a beautiful image Vinca!
I am always amazed at anyone who has been able to have their Sheltie past 14! You are most certainly doing many things right!
My Laddie had a Pancreatic attack and spent 5 days in ICU! He was on Cerenia to help to stop the vomiting. Royal Cain food as well! She certainly must be feeling better to be able to climb the stairs to the second floor! Glad you got to the bottom of the problem and got her on the road to recovery so soon! Hugs to your sweet girl!
 
Piper's mom said:
Metronidazole can wreak havoc on a dogs gut...is there anything else she can be on instead of this for nausea? It’s a med that’s used far too often with vets...even 4 weeks after being off of it a dogs gut bacteria will still be very out of whack.

https://www.animalbiome.com/blog/metronidazole-for-dogs-what-to-know
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I’m not changing anything right now...she is doing great. She is not on it just because of diarrhea as the article states. She is on it because of a severe inflammation of her pancreas. I support this treatment.

I will definitely keep this in mind though if I see problems. But for now she is feeling better, holding food down, perky, and has formed poops!
 
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