My 15.5 year old Maltese, Fluppy won't eat

[Kidzart]

I have had her to the vet twice this week.  She does have a heart condition but this is not the cause.  She was coughing like a goose on Tues.  Vet gave her Termeril P.  She took that and it did reduce the coughing.  But, she stopped eating on Thurs.  Sat. I got up and made her a filet mignon which is her favorite.  She won't eat.  I took her to the vet again but my usual vet was not there and I saw the other one.  This vet said she has acid reflux.  He gave her a shot of Ampacillian, Cerenia and Pepcid AC.  She totally stopped coughing and also stopped shivering.  She was great!  I brought her home and she still refuses to eat.  I have given her follow up Pepcid AC at home and Cerenia tablet (pulverized in water and syringe) but she still will not eat.  I syringe fed her 2 ml of baby food ham.  I made her bacon and she won't touch it.  I cannot get her to stop shivering (indication of pain).  I don't know what to do.  Going out now for Pedilyte and Ensure.  Not sure if I should run her to the ER or wait it out until morning when the vet reopens.  Any advice?  Her blood work was all normal a month ago when it was done.  Vet 2 blames the acid reflux for the coughing.  She is 6.5 pounds of love and precious.  ALL suggestions are needed and welcomed.  Thanks.

[ginger899]

I am thoroughly glad at heart to hear how well your dog is loved and looked after! Also that she is improving so well, and is so much better!
Thanks for keeping us informed. I often wonder what happened to the dogs whose owners don't come back to update us.

You are right, it is very hard for those who do not have the funds for vets' bills. But there always has to be some plan in place for those who own a dog....whether it's savings, or insurance...or a creditcard or whatever. After all, a family dog IS a family member, and all creatures including dogs -get sick sometimes.

Well I was WAY off the mark with my idea there! I never did think Pancreatitis! Never mind, she is getting better (and keeping you hard at work by the sound of it!) I hope her health will continue to improve now.

[Kidzart]

Close to $4000 later, Fluppy is doing so much better.  She spent 2 nights in the ER hospital.  She had pancreatitis.  This infection settled in her kidneys causing off the chart high kidney values.  She had to go on an IV drip but because of her mitral valve heart condition, she could not receive fluids too quickly.  Flushed her kidneys and praise the Lord!  Her values have stayed normal since returning home!  Downside, the cough is back...She is on Sucrafate, Pepcid AC, Batril, Amoxil, Pimobenden, Anopril, mirtaximide and lasix.  Every 2 hours she gets a different medication!  I had to make an XL sheet to keep it all in order!  Best thing is, she is feeling great, eating a very restricted diet of Royal Canine low fat and white meat chicken only!  What a marvelous blessing that now, she is OK.  Just wish my REGULAR vet had diagnosed this since I had her there twice that week....Seems so unfair that life has to have a pricetag on it.  If I didn't have a credit card, how could I pay?  I cannot even think about the alternatives....So, thanks for your help!

[ginger899]

If she has acid reflux then it is possible the stomach acids getting into her esophagus over a period of time have caused inflammation. In severe cases this can also cause ulcers. At the least she may have inflammation.
This oviously will cause pain, and reluctance to eat. Pepcid will obviously help reduce acid, but it won't heal any soreness there. Nor will Cerenia. It may not be that she hasn't any appetite, it may be that eating causes burning and pain.
My opinion is that she might need an endoscopy, to take a look down there and see if there are areas of inflamed tissue or even ulcers. She will be asleep during the procedure so it won't hurt her.