My 9 year old Westie Lucy has had a second bout of a nasty gastric "bug" within a month.  The first bout seemed to clear within a day or two (vomiting and diarrhoea) but this second bout started on Sunday night and today she was no better so I took her to the vet.  She was very depressed and down and wouldn't eat anything at all.  The vet said she suspects it could be pancreatitis as her tummy is painful and terriers of her age are particularly prone to it.  So Lucy has been hospitalised for a day or two to undergo several tests.  if she is diagnosed with it she will have to be on a special (low fat) diet for the rest of her life.

However I have read about it now on various websites (never a good thing to do) and it seems there is a fair chance of the disease recurring and becoming acute.  I am very worried as up til now apart from some arthritis which we manage quite well, she has been such a healthy little dog who loves her food and exercise.

I wondered if anyone else has experienced this condition with their dog and what the outcome was?

Thanks

Snowflake

Hi Snowflake, if you have a look in "Feeding" board, there is a topic called "Low Fat Diet" which has just recently been up for discussion, for issues with pancreatitus, have a read through them, then if you have any more questions, I'm sure if I cannot advise of anything else, somebody else will.
Jane

Thak you Jane I will go there now.

Snowflake

Have heard from vet that Lucy doesn't have pancreatitis so will be undergoing further tests.

We do miss her little furry face here ar home and just want her back. I am feeling most concerned I have to say.

Snowflake

Hope you find out what's the matter with her soon.  I know when Floyd was in the vets all the time it was horrible, what makes it worse is that you worry constantly, its like you don't know what to do with yourself.  Hope you have her home soon and keep us updated.
Jane

Jane you are so right.  I haven't been able to settle to anything today for worrying over Lucy.

I visited her in the vet's tonight and she was surprisingly bright.  However she is being kept in isolation as the bug she has is no doubt very contagious.  I think what she has is very like parvo - her condition is now described as haemorragic gastroenteritis.  Today she has had two more bad bouts of haemorragic diarrhoea.  The trouble is she is not responding to treatment and will not eat.

I feel I am suspended in a sort of limbo now.  We had planned to go to France for a "booze cruise" on Friday but have obviously cancelled it.  I rreally don't think that Lucy is out of the woods yet by any means.

snowflake

I am sure she is in the right place, hugs to your little girl and hope she makes a speedy recovery.  I am going to Edinburgh for 2 days now (work), Floyd is just sitting there looking at me cos he know's I am doing something different, I will miss him.
Try not to worry (easier said than done) but she will be back home with you soon.
Jane