Holly recently diagnosed with Addison's

[HollyPolly]

Thank you for your replies.

Holly has been home since Wednesday and has bounced back! First couple of days she was understandably under the weather but at least eating from the time she came home. The blood test for Pancreatitis came back negative and on scan her pancreas was a little inflamed but not significant, but a tentative diagnosis of pancreatitis was made.

The Addison's is stable and has been for 2 months, but we knew it was not Addison's this time as she was in pain and really stressed. She still has a dose of Pred everyday in the mornings and this regime along with the Florinef seems ok for her.

We do know that pancreatitis is a horrible illness, I have a relative who had it. The difference between dogs and humans is that dogs have a much higher mortality rate.

Holly has drawn the short straw in life and we will do whatever to keep her comfortable.

Holly is adapting very well to the low fat diet, loves fish and chicken and some veg. We have been very vigilant with regard to no treats and labels are scanned for fat content, although not much eating tinned stuff except Gastro from vets.

The symptoms for pancreatitis are similar to Addison's so going to have to try and nip things in the bud if they occur, but I hope it does not happen again. Poor Holly and we really are on edge all the time too.

We will have to see how we go, but Holly remains pre-disposed to further attacks due to the steroids which she needs.

Thanks for messages once again, now off to the vets again for check up. Saturday's appointment fine, tummy much better and not much discomfort.

[patp]

Glad to hear things are improving for Holly and for you. They are such a worry!

[Jo CIMDA]

I'm so pleased Holly is a bit better.
Jo

[HollyPolly]

Hi Penel,

When I was asking advice about care of Holly for holidays you mentioned that it may be possible to have someone stay with Holly. We have been thinking of this recently(don't think anyone in our family would be able to look after her)and wonder how it works. Obviously, the person(s) would live at our house, what about payment, do you know how much it would cost or is this up to the individual house sitting?

We are looking for September, fingers crossed, for 3 nights, but will not make any arrangements until Holly is not surprising us with blips and we have found the right people for Holly and us.

Holly has been home for 12 days now, we have visited vets twice for check up's. Her electrolytes have been checked again and all seems ok and hopefully so does the pancreatitis. Not going to change medication regime unless there are indications that the Addison's is not stable. Holly loves her new all home cooked food regime, supplemented with a little tinned food.

I realise all this would be too much for some people, but at the moment she is well and the vet's is literally up the road so perhaps we could investigate a little further about the dog/house sitting?

Please let me know when you can what you think.

Kind Regards
Maggie

[Lovemedogs]

Hi Maggie,
I am coming into this very late, but just wanted to reassure you re. the pancreatitis. My Addison's dog, TJ, was diagnosed with Addison's back in 1997 and a couple of years later, on Boxing Day was taken ill - he actually collapsed - and hospitalised for 3 days, with pancreatitis. This was diagnosed via a Spec CPLi - the definitive test for pancreatitis. I changed his diet slightly, but cut down drastically on his chews and he never had another spell of this. TJ lived 12 years post diagnosis which was pretty good and I do believe he would have gone on a lot longer had he not suddenly been diagnosed with aggressive cancer in 2009.

I am a moderator on a support group specifically for Addison's disease and in the last 17 years have seen quite a lot of dogs with Addison's, develop pancreatitis and every one has come through it. One thing to remember - as you know, this is a painful condition and NSAIDs must not be given to dogs wth Addison's, but tramadol, another drug used for humans is safe for dogs with Addison's.

Just to add, TJ's 3/4 sister, Charlie, non Addisonian, had kidney disease and pancreatitis at the same time and a few other issues. Whilst she, too, was very poorly initially, this was compounded by the problems with her kidneys and this was more difficult to manage as the diet for kidney disease is quite the opposite to that for pancreatitis, so it took a lot of managing and readjusting as necessary. She had a couple of very minor spats of it after the first one but they didn't seem to affect her too much. Again she had pain meds.

Yes, pancreatitis at its very worst, can cause death, but as you are now getting used to managing and monitoring the Addison's, I am sure Holly will do just fine. 

Pam

[helshaw]

Just letting you know I have every sympathy with you. My dog Buster was diagnosed with IMHA Feb 2013 then with Addisons in Oct 2013. He also had pancreatitis when he had IMHA. We were down to having his blood checked every 3 months for both diseases but then 3 weeks ago we knew something wasn't quite right so off to the vets we went. Think my vet thought I was mad as to everyone else he seemed ok but we know our dogs better than anyone. His blood was taken and his results showed that his Addisons wasn't right. He is now on 2 1/2 tablets instead of 2 & due for a blood test end of this week. I know what you mean about checking the fat content of treats, I spend ages in Pets at Home scrutinizing packets. Buster will be 10 on 4th July and I never thought he would get there, every day I feel blessed to still have him with us. Hope Holly keeps improving.

[HollyPolly]

Thank you all for recent messages.

Holly had another upset tummy on Monday/Tuesday but realised quickly that I had given her something different to eat from the usual Gastro stuff from the vets. I had thought it would be ok as it was a sensitivity gastro food, but when I looked at the tin the fat content was greater than her normal tin. I had also given her more pasta than she normally has.

I have now started a food diary, and since putting her back on a strict regime her tummy is better. Lesson learnt! Oh how she worries us! We also think she has an issue with regurgitation, but this is not significant and only happens occasionally and vet's are aware.

Holly does have Tramadol for discomfort, although this is not significant now, so not sure how long they will keep her on it. I would rather she were on it for the time being, just while everything calms down.

Last electrolyte test ok (7 days ago). Due a check up next week, but hopefully going to try and go for a month interval before electrolytes being tested again.She looks like the sheep dog in the Specsavers advert, been shaved so many times!

Any advice and news always gratefully received.

Holly sitting by my side while I write this blissfully unaware, but waiting patiently, for 1 of the small meals we now give at more frequent intervals, which seem to suit her.

Thank you once again.

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Maggie

Living with a dog who is prone to pancreatitis is, unfortunately,  like living on a knife edge. Restricting her diet and making sure she doesn't steal food gives you a good chance of avoiding future attacks.

My daughter had a Cocker who was prone to attacks of pancreatitis - he had it just about as bad as you can get. It usually followed him stealing food (Cockers are renown for stealing food if they can).  She found if she gave him several doses of a  homoeopathic remedy called Iris Versicolor, most times she was able to avert the attack.  She also used activated charcoal at the start of an attack  as it helps to quickly remove toxins from the body.    Perhaps you can have a chat with your vet.

There are other homoeopathic remedies for pancreatitis, and if you want to find out more then you could telephone Ainsworths: 0207 935 5330

Jo

[HollyPolly]

Thank you Jo for the Homeopathic info, will certainly investigate that route.

Holly seems well and more importantly out of the vet's for 10 days now! We are very strict with her diet and my husband who would have normally given her anything is more vigilant than myself!

Have an appointment next week just to make sure she is ok, if she is, we will resume 1 monthly intervals for bloods, hopefully to work towards 3 month intervals.

Thank you for messages of support.

[HollyPolly]

Hi,

Holly's owner here. I have a couple of questions to ask if I may.

Holly's last couple of blood test have been fine, however,  we are now on our 3rd bout of loose stools. Holly is usually ok for a couple of weeks has loose stools for a day then she is ok. I am at my wits end as no matter what I feed her, whether chicken, fish or tinned food the result is always the same. Holly has also developed the habit of eating grass and soil, particularly soil. Any ideas?

Holly is due a vet's visit tomorrow and we will bring her blood test forward a week. I wonder is there anything else we should have her tested for? She has had the pancreatitis of course but was tested for EPI but that came back negative. By the way she did have yesterday a chewable Millbemax wormer, don't know if anyone has had a problem with these in the past.

Maggie

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

Hi Maggie,
Maybe the wormer has upset her slightly.  Perhaps in future you could send off a stool sample to test for worms/worm eggs and then you'd feel happier about not worming her.  There's a company who you can pay directly to do it - wormcount.com  - they send you the tubes etc and envelope to send the poo back to them.
Obviously I'd tell the vet everything you've told us, about her eating earth and grass, which usually indicates a bit of a tummy ache. Is she on Zantac/ranitidine?

[patp]

Is Holly allowed low fat yoghurt? I have found that Willow will not eat grass and other dogs' poo (yuk!) if I give her a dessertspoonful of natural yoghurt every day. At first I would give her two spoon fulls and then decrease to one as a maintenance dose. In Holly's case you may have to introduce it gradually to make sure it agrees with her. I think they are searching to balance their gut bacteria and so a pro biotic like yoghurt helps to do that for them.

[HollyPolly]

Hi all, thanks for replies.

Holly seems much better, no more loose stools since yesterday morning and has continued to eat and drink normally, enjoying walks also. I have cancelled appointment for today and will make one for end of the week and have her lytes tested again. I don't think this is an Addison's problem for some reason, but better to get it checked out. I will of course take her beforehand if I am at all concerned.

With regard to the Zantac, yes, Holly has had it for short periods in the past, but vet has said she does not need it all the time. Thank you regarding info about worm testing Penel, very interesting, I am learning all the time.

I have given Holly low fat yoghurt before, but that was prior to the Pancreatitis and I am scared stiff of giving it again, would fat free do the same job do you think, willing to give anything a try. I just have a gut feeling that she is searching for something she is missing in her diet, but again will mention at next visit. I just want to stay out of there for the month if I can!

The grass and soil eating is newish, only our garden not the park or kerbside, however, she has always eaten other dogs poo if she can get hold of it( has muzzle now) and likewise with anything that is edible. Since the Addison's and steroids so much worse, like a dog possessed! Vet's just say it's the medication.

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

You could give her probiotics which would be dairy free, instead of yoghurt. 
I've given mine Lintbells Yumpro which have worked well in the past.
http://www.lintbells.com/products/yumpro-bioactiv

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi,

Holly's last couple of blood test have been fine, however,  we are now on our 3rd bout of loose stools. Holly is usually ok for a couple of weeks has loose stools for a day then she is ok. I am at my wits end as no matter what I feed her, whether chicken, fish or tinned food the result is always the same. Holly has also developed the habit of eating grass and soil, particularly soil. Any ideas?

Hi Maggie

Eating grass usually means they have an upset tummy and they want to bring up the acid etc.  You could give her a Ranitidine (2mg/kg/3 times a day  - Canine Medicine and therapeutics by Neil Gorman).  Watch the earth eating.  This can indicate anaemia or lack of minerals etc.

Jo