Hi just an update my sick lab with IBD is great now on a raw meaty bone diet.

Anyway back to the topic - I have a friend with an 8 yr old small x breed who has bad breath, vomitting bile, weight loss and squeaky noises coming from abdominal area.  He's taken her to the vet who has panicked him about pancreatic cancer.  Can anyone relate to these symptoms and offer any advice.

Thanks in advance
Trisha

hang on in there.vets not always right first time. could be anything. insist on a referal and full blood workups and stool and urine tests if they do not have the facilities. they said my boy probably had a brain tumour, but a referal and extensive tests had him on a different insulin routine and some vivitonin for his old age and he was 90% better in a few weeks.and if it was not for his arthritis slowing him down he would be acting half his age. good luck

Hi Trisha,  Glad your own dog is doing so well.  Are you managing the disease on RMB diet alone or do you still have to use meds?

Like Pru, re. your friend's dog, I'd want a specialist referral.  Her Vet's instinct could obviously be correct but equally there are several alternative possibilities for this dog's symptoms (one being IBD as you'll be aware) and pancreatic disorders not as serious as cancer.  Bloods alone will determine for example if there is a pancreatic problems, although ensure separate TLI test is done for EPI (doesn't show up on any other blood panel).  If EPI for eg. a minor diet modification with special powder added can be fed daily and a couple of dogs I've known with that problem are 100% again.  So I'd want bloods, urine and faecel results and see where specialist advice would lead from there.

Wish you're friend good luck, regards Teri :)