My Julie had another attack of Pancreatitis

This is a report on PANCREATITIS for those who need to know about it.

Julie took a turn for the worst..out of nowhere.  Yesterday/last night & this morning, I thought we'd lose her, but for now, she is better.
She started vomiting 3x in the afternoon. She was visably sick. (of course this happens on the holiday weekend) I called her Vet at 6 pm & he was on his way to the Jersey Shore.
He did say that it may be a Virus & don't panic (yeah right) & he had many dogs this past week with a 3 day virus.
He told me what to do & if she vomits anymore, take her to the ER 24 hr. Vet, whom I like alot there. Of course I knew it was NOT a virus. I just know Julie, so I waited awhile.  Than at 8 pm, she vomited 4x in a row...& no seizures this time, thank God.. That was it. I took her to the vet.  They did blood tests..cbc, & sonogram.  It was positive for Pancreatitis..high positive.
Than they told me that they see a big MASS on either her Liver or Abdomen or Pancreas. They see it think it may be cancer.
Than they think she had a Tumor in the Adrenal gland....she has Cushings disease.  The true test will be the Ultra Sound the next day..today..the 4th..Julie's 10th birthday.

Oh damn..I came home at 3 AM & never slept. I was so upset. They called me at 9am & told me GOOD news.
NO TUMORS anywhere. Not in adrenal gland either. The Pancreas is causing alot of her problems right now. It's making her other organs enlarged.
They say she is responding to treatment. She is on IV's & antibiotics & pain meds. Her Liver is enlarged, probably from the cortesoid from Cushings or possibly the Pancreas. I get confused to why either or?. Her right Adrenal is enlarged too....thats "normal" with Cushings.  She will come home on Monday..I hope.

Lately,  Her little belly had gotten so big. Her appetite was ravenous & her thirst was awful & she was "mushie mush" alot. Just not herself. But some of the time she responded to things & was happy to a degree, yet alot more "clinging to me". I fluffed it off to a bad day. Than she was uncomfortable..kept moving in different positions in her sleep, & sat up alot..she was in pain & I didn't know it. Than I realized it when I held her. She was panting alot too. She is such a good baby doll when sick.  I should have seen it coming but I didn't. (sigh) Pancreatitis is a terrable thing to happen.
I did NOT give Julie fatty foods or table food in 7 mos....the Vets said she is prone to Pancreatitis...she had relapsing remitting type & it can happen at any time. It was 6 mos. since her last attack. I hope it never happens again..but it might.

I didn't realize that Cushings reeks such havock on her body. I just bet she had it for years & the 1st test in 2006 came back false negative. Her cushings number came back pretty good last month (ACTH Test). She is on Trilostane for the Cushings. This puzzles me.
I am very scared about Julie's future. Her lungs are so bad & yet thats not the problem in the past year. It used to be. I don't know how long that I will have my baby Julie, but I also don't know how to say goodbye to her either. I do know that when her time does come..I must be with her because I am her Mommy & I brought her here & I have to be with her when she leaves this world.  Does anyone know how to??

[ginger899]

Oh Sandra I feel for you! What a roller-coaster ride you've had this last 2 days.

All you can do is take it day by day. There is nothing easy about standing by a loved one, whether they be human or canine, through an illness that might just get worse (or better) at any time. Just see what each day brings. What I believe is, as long as there is still enjoyment from life and the bad is not outweighing the good, 24/7 -then there's always a fighting chance of extra time. But if, in the future, the pain gets to the point at which no medications help, and there is obviously ONLY pain, and no enjoyment any more, then you would find it easier to release your lovely girl from this World and its suffering.

Yes, I do know how to, because I've had to do it before. But I know that will not help me when it comes Misty's time to leave this World. That'll be a whole new ball-game. I know.

Never mind. Your Julie is alive now. That's what counts for now. She is better, and it may be a while till she ever gets another attack of Pancreatitis. At least you know what signs to watch for. If it happens again, she'll just have to have some medication again to make her feel better.

Get a good sleep. Let her sleep with you on the bed. When she wags her tail at you in the morning,  tomorrow may look more hopeful.