Maltese tummy upset, won't eat, and in pain intermittent

[Jaylyn]

Our 6 1/2 year-old neutered male Maltese (on the thin side, never been overweight, eating high grade, intestinal friendly food since puppy and rarely given anything other than reg. dog food) has been having intermittent tummy and obscure pain issues for a month and and half and after 10 trips to vet's office and three blood profiles (one comprehensive one), other than initial dx of pancreatitis, vet is stumped as to what might be wrong.  Initially (first week of August), our Maltese did vomit and wouldn't eat (and he always eats voraciously).  Taken to vet around first week in August.  Xrays showed nothing. Blood workup showed mild pancreatis and stool sample did show some minor blood in it.  He was started on mild Rx diet and sent home.  We were told to give him 5 mg. Pepcid 1/2 before each feeding and to try small feedings.  We did this.  He seemed to get better but then would have bouts of what appeared to be severe pain (where he would cry out and tremble uncontrollably), but we couldn't tell where pain was coming from.   Sometimes he acted like he couldn't walk, holding his left foot up, other times he would try to walk but seemed he couldn't.  It is awful to watch this.  Back to the vet's.  Vet thought dog might be dealing with a couple of issues, like maybe intermittent pancreatitis and another maybe cervical issue or pinched nerve or something.   Vet started him on Medcam (?) for pain, small amount every AM, then changed to every other day, etc.  Sometimes he has cried out like in a lot of pain, but this can be done on days when he is eating fine.  And then a few times, he doesn't seem interested at all in food (and he has ALWAYS been interested in food).  He is generally not himself though, even on days without pain episodes and no obvious tummy issue.  Just not himself.   Maybe only one time with very loose stool, and another time with kind of loose stool (but nothing signficant there).  Another stool was checked a couple of weeks ago--no blood in it and negative for parasites.  Blood workup done then completely normal.  Two days ago he mostly dry heaved in the early AM hours (3 AM to 6 AM) about every 10 minutes.  He was at the vet's at 7 AM and observed there all day.  No more dry heaves.  Vet could find nothing wrong with him.  This AM, won't eat, but no dry heaving or other symptoms.   He has been in and out of vet's and hospital about 6 times in last 45 days.  We are worn out.  All blood work shows normal now and they have done very comprehensive blood work profiles.  Vet is stumped.   By time we got him home from last vet appt. 6 PM, he had stopped the dry heaving, and after giving him Pepcid 5 mg., he ate and held it down fine.  We gave him no more pain meds, just Pepcid 5 mg. half hour before each meal.  Now today, Sept. 24th, absolutely won't eat, but no vomiting or dry heaving.  He has been on special Iams Intestinal Low-Residue canned food diet from vet's office since first week of August.  If anyone has a clue, please give me your thoughts.  Most recent blood work shows no signs of pancreatitis, but something has to be going on. Vet now (today) says perhaps we are dealing with a food allergy and wants us to come back in for another blood draw after 12 hours fasting.  Says this blood will be sent for very specific workup to rule out gastro/intestinal issues.  But if anyone has some info that could be helpful, I would sure like to hear it.

[Fourpaws]

I have no info for you and I am sorry. Jaybay is very educated on this subject but she is dealing with the aftermath of Ike. If I were you, I would get a second opinion from another vet. Obviously there is something wrong and your vet can't figure it out unfortunately. Let us know what happened with the blood draw after fasting. You also might want to try to post this under "ask a vet" forum also. She might have some good suggestions for you. Good luck.

[Jaylyn]

Thanks much for your kind reply.

[Fourpaws]

No problem even though I wasn't a big help!! I didn't realize you had another post and got some responses there. I hope your dog feels better soon......

[HuggsnWaggs]

I just got back from my vet, here in CT. I too have a Maltese (8yr.old female) and she was acting very simliar to what you've described. However, with very different results from the vet. I was showed an xray of her belly, and it appears that all of this discomfort is simply due to a build up of GAS!! And do you know what he prescribed.....1 Gas X pill. That was it, I couldn't believe it. Sometimes we struggle with what might just be as simple as that. We as humans get gas for a multitude of reasons, so finding out why it happens is not that easy to do. A good diet, minimize the organic treat and your pup should be fine.

Try it, I think you'll be amazed. I was also told that the gas can be a build up from her trying to deal with her joint issues, which is common in any small dog. But it gets them excited, causes panting, hence air into the belly and gas.

Good Luck and I hope I've given you at least maybe an alternative, which I would have never thought of without the help of my VET....Not all vets are about the cha-ching! lol