Update: "Should I Get a New Vet"

ScrapHappy · ‎03-28-2010

First of all I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my previous post about my Sheltie, Brandy. I did take her to a new vet. The new place I took her to is a group of pet specialists. He did a one hour exam on her. Brandy has pancreatitis, a kidney infection and problem with her gallbladder (which he said Sheltie's are prone to). She was in the hospital for 3 days and came home Saturday night. She's on a lot of meds and still not eating at home. I have to force feed her plain, boiled chicken. (which is ok to do according to my discharge instructions). Brandy has always been an in door dog but prefers to be outside all the time now. Just lays on the grass. She is drinking water okay . I talked to the office today and I'm bringing her in again on Wednesday. She still has the renal issues, but her BUN and CREA came down to the lowest it's been in a long time. The vet said the kidney infection was also contributing to her elevated labs. She's on antibiotic now. I'm still beside myself with worry. I don't know what to expect and what is going to happen. I cry all the time but I'm still hoping she'll get better.

kittymomNC · ‎08-09-2012

ScrapHappy, I'm so glad you were pleased with your new vet, but sorry to hear Brandy is having such a hard time. It sounds like this vet knows what he's doing in treating her particular illness. Sometimes it takes a while for them to start really feeling better--it sounds like she was pretty sick. We worry about them just as we do our real children, and hurt for them as well. I've had pets that didn't want to eat for several days for different reasons, but if she's drinking water, that's definitely a good sign. I hope the antibiotics start working and make her feel better soon. You didn't say what the problem is with her gallbladder? Is that something that he's treating as well?

I've thought I was going to lose my little cat for sure 3 times since April, but once we finally found what was actually wrong, she's on medication and is doing much better. So sometimes, it just takes time. Hang in there, and please come back and keep us updated. ${#emotions_dlg.blush}$

Sheltie Mom · ‎03-09-2010

ScrapHappy, I am so sorry you and Brandy are going through this, but it sounds like you found a very thorough vet. My mom had a Sheltie that had very bad pancreatitis and actually had to have gallbladder surgery to remove what the vet said were the dog equivalent of gall stones. The problem with pancreatitis is that when they have it eating causes them extreme pain due to the digestive problems and even as they heal they are leary of eating because of the pain they felt before. It took me weeks of trying different foods to find something my mom's dog would eat, and to keep him going I supplemented with a liquid diet I got from the vet. I hope Brandy feels better soon. Sending caring hugs to you and your sweet girl.

Jeremiah 2911 · ‎03-11-2014

This is a very difficult time for Brandy and for you. I'm sorry that you and your beloved dog are going through this.

I can share with you that it does take time for antibiotics to do their job -- and then it takes a couple of weeks after the antibiotics are finished for the dog to fully recover from the toll of the antibiotics on their body.

What your vet told you about the infection causing the elevated lab results is true. Infection and medication can alter blood work making it unreliable.

I would encourage you to keep up feeding her and supporting her while she goes through this illness. Continue to keep in touch with your vet like you are doing. It does take quite a while for some of these illnesses to resolve. I've been caring for a sick cat that has been ill for more than 6 months. There were several times where we thought he was dying -- from the illness and from the side effects of the antibiotics that he had to be on. But now he is showing signs of complete recovery.

I pray that will have Divine strength and God's wisdom concerning Brandy's medical care.