Maltese 6 1/2 yrs. old tummy and pain issues 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.

[Misfits4Me]

Sorry, I'm still trying to help you....Another question? This all started while he was on the Natures recipe?  Then the Vet switched to Iams because of the digestive issues?  Correct? But, he did well for 6yrs. on the natures recipe? Right?
P.S. The pop corn didn't hurt him....I promise!  

[Jaylyn]

Yes, you are correct that he did fine on Natures Recipe Lamb and Rice for 6 years, and the vet switched him due to digestive issues via the blood panel that showed he had a mild case of pancreatitis (this was Aug. 6, 2008.  The blood panel of Sept. 9th showed no signs of pancreatitis; however, that blood panel wasn't done specifically due to him not eating or vomiting---at that time it was done due to the bizarre episodes of pain he was having where he would cry out and other times scream out and favor left leg and not be able to walk for a few minutes.  So, doctor did what is called a Pro Comprehensive Blood panel to try and rule out other things.  This blood panel didn't show any pancreatitis at that time, but I guess bouts of pancreatitis can come and go.

The doctor indicated that in dogs that are prone to pancreatitis that even very small amounts of high fat items could bring about a mild case of pancreatitis---even a potato chip or two (Baxter is only 6 lbs.).  I doubt too it was the popcorn.  Could have been something he found on the ground or something in the yard -- who knows -- could be none of those things.  Still we don't know if what we are seeing now is more pancreatitis or what and we have no idea what the pain bouts are from (he hasn't cried out in pain though for over a week I think).  Again, thanks much for your comments.

[Misfits4Me]

Jaylyn,  I believe I've got your answer...It will lenghty.....I will be back as soon as I have more time.......Karla

[Jaylyn]

THANKS.  I will check in frequently.  

[Misfits4Me]

Jaylyn, I normally don't do a post like this, but because you have gone above and beyond trying to figure this out, and all his test come back normal, I'm going to. I will have to do this in sections because it will be long. This is not secret information, but it is info. that some would rather you not know. I've spent hours trying to figure your problem out and I think I have it. (And it's simple) Here goes: On Pet food labels, the ingredients are listed in order of amounts inside your bag or can. First ingredient is the most, second is the second most, etc. Let's dissect your food: (The one you've used for years).
1st. Ingredient-LAMB MEAL- The term "meal" means these ingredients are not used fresh, but have been rendered. To render is to process for industrial use: to render livestock CARCASSES & extract oil from fat, blubber, etc. by melting. Raw materials are dumped into vats and boiled for hours. This process seperates fat, removes water & kills bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. The high temps destroys any natural enzymes & proteins found in the raw material. Therefore, meals are not a source of protein. (OK, NO nutrition in this one).
2nd- RICE - A Grain
3rd- Barley - A Grain
4th- Oatmeal - A Grain
5th- * Chicken Fat
6th - Dried potatoes - A starch that when broke down, turns to sugar.
-Somewhere in this one is "Tomato Pomace"  to promote small, firm, easy to clean stools. (Got that off the bag). What does this mean and how does it work? And why? Tomatoes are toxic to dogs.
Everything else listed (All those vitamins and minerals that look good in print) don't really mean anything. They are destroyed in the cooking process...........
DOGS are carnivores...They have to have PROTEINS to survive....Grains are hard to digest and have NO nutritional value.  They are cheap fillers....So, NO food for your puppy in this bag.  :(    
Part 2: Coming.....We'll look at his prescription diet!

[Misfits4Me]

Part 2:   The Prescription Diet:
1st. - Corn Grits- GRAIN   Means the bulk of this food is corn. I'm going to break Corn down even further because of this...Digestion of Corn causes skin irritations, hair loss, ear infections, kidney and liver disease, obesity, CHRONIC DIGESTIVE problems, bloat, heart disease & thyroid  disease in Dogs. NO Nutrition
2nd. - Brewers Rice - GRAIN - This grain is actually already used. It is used to brew beer. When the brewing process is done, there is no other use for this so it is added to dog food. Yes, as a filler. Brewers Yeast is the same. NO Nutrition here, either.
3rd. - Chicken-By-Product - By-Products of the chicken would include: Feet, Heads, beaks, Viscera (free from fecal content & foreign matter). NO nutrition here! yuck!!!!!!
4th. - Chicken  (Is this a maybe?) In 4th place, probably not.
5th. - Fish Meal - You know what this is..NO Nutrition
6th. - * Chicken Fat  
That's it for this one....
*Now you see #5 in the first food and # 6 in this one? Both Chicken Fat. Know what they do with this? It is sprayed on the outside of the kibble..Know why? (Your not gonna like this)......ANIMAL FATS - Used to encourage a pet to EAT INGREDIENTS they normally would NOT eat! Ingestion can cause GASTROINTESTINAL UPSET & PANCREATITIS!!!
Well, well, well.........Really?????      Bottom Line:  Neither of these foods have anything that a dog requires. There are NO PROTEINS in these. He needs MEAT!!   Not Cereal... I'm surprised that he's not any sicker. I am afraid that he's starving to death, though. His system is trying to tell you this...I bet he's hungry, too.  Note: This is NOT your Vet's fault (Although he sold you both of these!) Vets are schooled in Medicine for years..They have a very short course in Nutrition (8 hrs. or so). Guess who provides the instruction?  THE PRESCRIPTION FOOD COMPANIES!  I guess you see where this is going?
Part 3: Coming......I'm almost done!!!!!!       Be back