Dog isn't eating

[3ksc]

Well we took my dog to get a check up last Monday which is around the time she stopped eating her dry dog food but was pretty much eating everything else we gave her.  As the days went on she ate less and less and would seem very lethargic in the morning and would perk up in the afternoon.  Well when we took her to get her check up, her liver numbers were high which didn't seem to concern the doctor since they have been for the past two years and they haven' really gotten any higher.  But her pancreas numbers were through the roof and she noticed that when she squeezed her abdomen she would flinch.  Well my dog has had diarrhea off and on for the past month to month and a half.  She hasn't thrown up at all but she she has gotten a lot weaker in terms of walking.  She does have hip dysplasia but in the past week it seems much worse and I'm not sure if its just because she isn't getting much nutrients because she isn't eating.  

The doctor gave us three options to treat for pancreatic disease which I guess is to not feed her and she will have an IV in her for her fluids.  Or we can get a ultra sound from a specialist or at her clinic. Well we decided to go for option one because we think it might have something to do with her pancreas(dropped her off today and she will remain there for 48 hours).  She is a golden retriever and a little over 16.5 years old.  Is there any experts out there that might think they know what it could be.  

Doctor thought it might a urinary tract infection but proved that to be wrong, and for a while she ruled out pancreatic disease but now is saying that it is still possible.  But it could also be cancer but she hasn't seen anything. Any help would be appreciated.  

[tonyb286]

Oh I am so very sorry. Connie is right, our best friends never live as long as we would like them to, but 16+ years was a fabulous age and you can take some comfort from the fact she had all that time to share her life with you. Not all dogs are loved and cared for so much, which made your dog one of the lucky ones. Big hugs, Tony

[TwoBitsMom]

I am so very sorry to hear the news about your dog. I sounds to me like you made all the right decisions for her. The fact that she lived 16.5 years is certainly amazing, and it is in part due to the wonderful care you gave her.
Our dogs are part of our family, and I understand how much you miss her.
I can tell you, that no matter how old our dogs get, we always wish they could have lived longer, and they always leave too soon.  You gave each other 16.5 years of love. You were so lucky to have each other.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
God Bless her Beautiful Spirit and Soul...she is much loved.
Connie

[3ksc]

Well I wanted to give you all an update.  After 24 hours of receiving treatment the doctor called and said there was no use in continuing treatment and that she won't recover. The doctor said that it was more than likely she had cancer because she had deteriorated quickly the last 14 days.  We decided to bring her home so she wouldn't have to wait at the hospital until she was put to sleep.  The last few days have been extremely hard for me and days of crying just thinking of the past 16.5 years we spent together.  When we got her home we made her as comfortable as possible I never left the room and spent the next 20 hours by her side.  She peed herself in the middle of the night and the next morning when I carried her outside and I tried to make her feel that it was ok and for her not to get upset as it appeared on her face and thats when I knew that we made the right decision.  

I'm not sure if it was cancer or not but within a couple of days she wasn't able to walk at all.  I watched her a few times trying to get up but she just couldn't stand on all fours.  So I would help her up and kept her balance and she would wag her tail.  I've been thinking about her everyday and it sickens me that I won't see her again. But I'm glad she lived a long life and I knew the day would come so I just hoped she enjoyed it.

[Jaybay]

Pancreatitis requires absolute digestive rest - sometimes for a lot longer than two or three days.  It's also extremely painful so I hope the vet is giving treating your dog's pain.  I went through this with my first dog, and like yours, he was a very senior dog when it happened.  We got him the best treatment money could buy but finally had to face the fact that nothing could save him.  

Pancreatitis is notoriously difficult to treat and predict.  Some dogs bounce right back after a few days off the chow line; others go downhill no matter what happens.  It's a terrible waiting game of treating symptoms.  I really hope your dog pulls through but at his age I think you need to prepare yourself for the worst.  :-(

[el_em_en_oh]

My female dobi (Taylor) exhibited the EXACT same symptoms, and it was her pancreas.

Stopped eating. Lethargic. Etc.

I changed her food, upon Dr.'s advice, to HILLS, Prescription W/D (it's for dogs with gastro issues as well as for pancreas issues), and it fixed her right up.

The doctor advised that I stop feeding her for 3 days (even attempting to feed her, mind you), and as she was drinking water just fine, she didn't require IV fluids.

Switched her food, and she was as good as new. She dropped a couple of lbs from not eating, but that's about it.

Good luck.

[tonyb286]

Yes, I also think it sounds like it could be pancreatitis, so well done for starting treatment. If there is swelling in the pancreas area, it will cause severe discomfort when touched, so do be aware of this when handling her. Foods high in fats, sugar and carbohydrates can lead to pancreatitis, so consider what you've been feeding her over the last year or so and see what the levels of these are according to the label. It may be that your dog is suffering from acute pancreatitis, and hopefully this will be resolved once treated. Obesity is also a cause, so it's worth checking the weight of your dog comparing it with average canine weight charts for the breed. If it turns out to be chronic pancreatitis, then there's a range of treatments and alternative diets you will need to become familiar with - but I'm sure your vet will advise on this, if it's necessary. Your dog has reached old age and is clearly, apart from this recent upset, a happy Golden Retriever, well loved and extremely well cared for. All you can do is your best for her, which is clearly what you are doing ... I'm really hoping you see a good reaction to the treatment that's been prescribed by the vet. Tony

[TwoBitsMom]

Where do you live...? I know that Diamond dog foods, has been recalling several brands of dog food that they make, due to Salmonella poisoning. Is this a possibility for you?  If you live in the U.S. Please do a google search on Diamond dog Food recall.
I hope that whatever is ailing your dog, is easily fixed. I have to say, it does sound like it could be pancreatitis.  I think you made a good choice to have her treated for it.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know how things go with her.
Connie