topic Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady?? in Community Chat

Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 22:54:49 GMT

I need some verification that I'm not being over-protective of my dog---I asked my dog's vet if I am a "crazy dog lady" and his answer was "Yes, but my practice loves you anyway!".

My Gracie (age 10 1/2) was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in late September--cause unknown. Gracie only eats prescription one protein dog food--never people food--no treats.She spent two days in the animal hospital on IV fluids and antibiotics. When she came home, she was on a boiled chicken & rice diet for weeks--a different prescription dog kibble was very slowly introduced and she has been fine--playful, perky, great appetite.

This morning as she was eating her breakfast, I noticed she was having intestinal spasms--since her belly is white, I can see the spasms as they happened. This is exactly how her pancreatitis started. However, she did not throw up--she kept down her breakfast. Gracie usually goes back to bed after breakfast--and sleeps most of the day. Today she paced around the house a bit, then went into our bed, but did not sleep--she sat up for awhile--again, unusual behavior. I called the vet and he told me to bring her in.

His exam was negative--he felt Gracie was not in pain or any kind of distress. In order to take blood work, she would have to be fasting--so I have to bring her back tomorrow morning unfed. The vet feels if she is starting to get chronic pancreatitis, there is medication for that--the blood tests will tell us if that is what is happening--so I might not know until the weekend. Of course, if Gracie starts getting symptoms, I am to call him right away--right now she is just vaguely not herself.

Did I jump the gun and assume she was getting pancreatitis again? Am I spending a small fortune of money over nothing? Or am I being better safe than sorry? I know that once pancreatitis gets a foothold, it can be hard to cure and can be life threatening--which is why I took Gracie to the vet today--just in case something was starting up again. Since she is not throwing up or has diarrhea, should I have waited? I hate to keep questioning myself---or being a worrisome "Mom"----but I am worried when Gracie doesn't act her norm.

So----am I a crazy dog lady???????

Thanks for any insight!!

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

TexasMom1 — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 01:23:04 GMT

No, you are not crazy! I would have done the same thing! Hope all goes well for you and Gracie tomorrow!

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

CamilleP — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 01:25:33 GMT

You are NOT being over-protective, you are being pro-active! I completely agree with you, Gracie WAS exhibiting belly pain when she ate this morning. By catching it early, you are saving yourself money, by avoiding the need for hospitalization in intensive care, and more importantly, you are saving Gracie from extreme pain and suffering! Good for you, I will be keeping my fingers crossed that Gracie just hit a little bump in the road, not a full-blown attack of pancreatitis!

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

elated — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:00:39 GMT

I think you are a great pet parent. I do the same with my dog If I know he is not right. I would never let it go---my dog is going to be 9 in January. He means everything to me. Don't beat yourself up about being a caring person. I can relate to you. Since animals do not talk, we can not know if they are in pain. Keep us informed.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 15:17:23 GMT

Thank you everyone---I feel better knowing I wasn't jumping the gun!!

Gracie had her normal dinner last night and was fine---no vomiting or gas or anything to suggest a problem. Matter of fact, she wanted to play and play and play!! I did notice that now she has an eye infection--which she did not have when I took her to the vet yesterday!

She is fasting this morning (not happy about it, I might add) and will have all the blood work she needs just to make sure nothing serious is being missed--I will also have the vet examine her eye and prescribe something to cure that new issue.

Yes, I will post when I get the results of Gracie's blood work!! Would appreciate a few prayers to St Francis for Gracie's well-being.

I appreciate everyone's opinion!!!!

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Another new name Sue — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 16:37:38 GMT

What if you hadn't taken her and she became very ill? Then you'd really be mad at yourself. It was good to get her checked out for her safety and your peace of mind. I know it's all costly.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

qualitygal — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 10:31:02 GMT

You are in good company. There's many of us. Good luck with your little one.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

jaxs mom — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 18:15:50 GMT

I don't think you are being crazy at all. Your dog has a diagnosed condition that could flare up again, it's responsible to pay attention to signs of that.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 18:40:03 GMT

Thank you everyone---you opinions are very much appreciated and now I don't feel like I overreacted when Gracie appeared to have pancreatitis again!!

Gracie had her blood drawn yesterday and am now waiting for the vet to call with the results--he did a complete blood panel on her, including tests for pancreatitis and kidney issues. Since Gracie is eating normally--and wants to play constantly, I don't think she is having any physical problems--but I've learned NEVER to say NEVER--dogs can hide illnesses very well. Our dog before Gracie was very ill with spleen cancer and did not show any signs of being sick until the day she died--thank goodness she only suffered for one day--but she ate and played right up to the day she passed. That experience has left me gun-shy too----but, also, more aware of anything that might be brewing.

Also, Gracie did NOT have an eye infection---she saw the vet again yesterday and he looked very carefully at her eye--he feels the discharge could've been from something that was in her eye, but is gone now--he saw NO sign of infection (I found that strange--how could there be no infection when she was having green discharge from her eye?). I insisted the vet give me antibiotic eye drops for Gracie to have in the house just in case the issue recurs--when she woke up this morning, her eye was fine--clear with no discharge--I still find that weird. But I'm glad she's OK and the drops were not needed.

Will post again once I hear form the vet…..in the meantime, thank you all for your words of wisdom!!! Gracie and I appreciate all of your opinions!!!

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 19:57:24 GMT

Just heard from the vet--not such good news. Gracie has chronic pancreatitis and needs to have a pancreatic enzyme added to her food twice a day--it will help her digest with overtaxing her pancreas---the cost is $170 every three months for the rest of her life! I don't know how we will afford this. I just retired and my husband is retiring in May--this is totally unexpected. The good news is that Gracie's kidneys are fine--her liver enzymes are elevated, but not more so than they were a few months ago--so no change. The vet has to order this enzyme--it should be in by the end of next week. So maybe I was right--maybe Gracie was in a bit of distress the other day--oh boy, am I glad I got her into see the vet when I did---don't need this issue to turn acute again.

Please keep my beloved Gracie in your prayers. Thanks.

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

TexasMom1 — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 22:28:20 GMT

So sorry to hear this Gracies Mom. Regarding the high cost of the pancreatic enzyme, I would write the drug company (once you get the first Rx) and explain you are retired and see if they don't have any type of cost assistance programs, like the other drug companies do. If you have a veterinary school/university near you, I would contact them and see if they could get it for you wholesale. There has got to be a way around the high cost of these drugs. Ask your vet if they cannot discount the cost somehow, could they let you pay once a month, a third of the $170? That way you are not hit all at once with the total amount. Just some suggestions. Sounds like you are such a loving mom to your pup and I hate that she and you have to go through this. Good luck!

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 18:00:49 GMT

Thanks for your suggestions, TexasMom1--they are very much appreciated!! Right now I think I want a second opinion--I'm not convinced that Gracie needs the pancreatic enzyme. She doesn't have any of the symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency, even though her blood results are off kilter--I'm thinking it still could be from her bout of acute pancreatitis that she had in late September.

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

lennox25 — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 18:35:28 GMT

I think you are overly anxious and focusing on every move she makes. If sick, you will have plenty of time and symptoms to get her to the vet and he will have amply opportunity to care for her before danger. You need to relax and stop focusing on her every breath and movement. You are what they call a "helicopter" parent..."hovering" too much. Relax.

Sorry, but it shows in your many conversations about her and the anxious way you write.

You asked for opinions, and I'm just giving you my honest one.

If she were a human, I believe you'd be on the pediatrician's doorstep much too often.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 20:43:56 GMT

Yes, lennox25, you are right---I do hover too much over my beloved Gracie---mainly because my fear of losing her by not recognizing her symptoms to get her help quickly.Gracie never shows pain--by the time she started vomiting and had diarrhea, she was in the throes of a major acute pancreatitis attack--and had to be hospitalized for two days, costing us $1500+. And so..yes…I am "gun-shy." To be frank, I am overly anxious about anything health related since I have had two bouts of uterine cancer recently--if I had ignored a teeny tiny symptom that occurred 18 months after my surgery, I might not be here now conversing with you--so, yes, I have issues---that is how I am wired.

I do need to relax---thanks.

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

emmysmom — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:12:56 GMT

On 12/11/2014 elated said:
I think you are a great pet parent. I do the same with my dog If I know he is not right. I would never let it go---my dog is going to be 9 in January. He means everything to me. Don't beat yourself up about being a caring person. I can relate to you. Since animals do not talk, we can not know if they are in pain. Keep us informed.

Absolutely! You know how I feel and so does Gracie! Too bad there aren't more pet owners like you!

Emmy's mom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

RainyDayGal — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 20:12:07 GMT

Gracies Mom - We've talked before about our girls and pancreatitis.

I would have done the exact same thing! Knowing what she has gone through, and what a struggle and long process it is to get them healthy again, you did the right thing. With mine, because of the cancer and other problems, I watch her like a hawk and make no excuses for contacting her vets when I feel something is off.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:17:39 GMT

Of course I remember you, RedConvertibleGirl!!!! How is everything?

I'm glad you said what you did--that you would've done the same thing I did--take Gracie to the vet pronto! I am very vigilant when it comes to Gracie's health, as I have been for the 10 1/2 years of her life--seems my poor girl is always sick with something--which is why I guess she chose me as her Mommy--she knew I would be the one to take such good care of her!

I told my vet to hold off ordering the pancreatic enzyme powder for now---Gracie doesn't seem to need it--and it is pricey--i don't have $170 to waste for something she probably doesn't need--at least, at the moment. I'm still educating myself on dogs with acute/chronic pancreatitis--it's such a mysterious disease--it's hard to know what the right thing to do is.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday, RedConvertibleGirl--and that all is well!! Good to hear from you again!!

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

elated — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 04:28:54 GMT

The cost of the drug would be $680.00 a year. If it were me, I would find a way to give her the enzyme. I would try contacting the drug company or maybe the vet could sell you the medication at their cost. I don' think that would be unreasonable to ask. When it comes to my dog, I will do whatever to get him his medication. Do you have pet insurance? I wish you and your pet the best. Take care. Keep us informed.

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

Gracies Mom — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:52:52 GMT

Thanks for your opinion, elated!

I have pet medical insurance for Gracie, but it doesn't cover medications. I always ask my vet if the meds he prescribes is something humans can take--that way I can buy it at my pharmacy for a much cheaper price. When I asked about the powdered enzyme he was recommending he told me that no, humans cannot take this specific drug.

If I felt it was imperative that Gracie take this enzyme, then yes, I would get in touch with the drug company that manufacturers it--see if they could give me a break on the price. The vet never gives price breaks--he doesn't even give out samples of meds, even when I ask.

Right now Gracie is fine--has a good appetite, is playful and alert--and acting like her normal self--I see no distress, no gas, stool perfect, no weight loss. I do not see signs of pancreatic insufficiency. I know that may change in the future, but right now I see no reason to "rock the boat"----I am convinced that Gracie's blood test results are because her enzymes have not normalized due to the acute inflammation of her pancreas 2 1/2 months ago. Whatever happened to her a few days ago was a minor glitch that I happened to pick up on--maybe just a slight gas pain or minor upset tummy. Of course, being the way I am, I jumped on it and ran her to the vet--better safe than sorry.

I will keep everyone posted on Gracie--and thank you all for your insight and suggestions! I appreciate every single one of them.

God Bless,

GraciesMom

Re: Am I A Crazy Dog Lady??

RainyDayGal — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 23:06:56 GMT

On 12/15/2014 Gracies Mom said:
Of course I remember you, RedConvertibleGirl!!!! How is everything?

Check up with the internist yesterday. Her weight dropped ever so slightly but I'm not concerned as it's still a great weight for her. He said no enlarged lymph nodes. Yay! We wait for the results of the blood tests, hopefully Friday. She did throw up once a couple of weeks ago but I didn't worry much because it was only the one time and she's been fine.

She had a very slight female problem (nothing new for her, chronic infection) that had us seeing her regular vet first thing this morning. Fortunately he was not concerned and no extra medications. She sees her opthamologist and dermatologist Thursday and he just wants the derm to take a look at her down there since it is skin and this is chronic.

When it's all done, this will be another very expensive doggy week. (sigh) She's doing well though.