Sam was really poorly last night. He did not eat all day and was sick 4 times in an hour, was shaking like mad and just really miserable, that he took himself off to the bathroom. I called the emergency vet, I was that concerned and took him in to the surgery. She looked at his blood test results from a couple of weeks ago is worried that the result for his pancreas is abnormal and when she felt it, it was really tender. The vet who did the tests didn't think too much of this as he showed no sighs, but apparantly, what he showed last night is apparent signs of pancreatic problems, so maybe, its not thyroid problems after all.

He is booked in for another blood test on Saturday and I have said that if there is any sign of cancer there, then I am not going to let him suffer like Barnie did.

In the meantime, we are treating it as if its an infection and he has to stay completely away from the puppy until he finishes his antibiotics as it could be contagious. At 10pm last night, I was cleaning the decking from what he had thrown up which was a bright yellow bile, it was nasty.

Keeping my fingers crossed for Sam to be well.

I have everything crossed here for poor Sam :-) I hope he's feeling better soon :-)

Poor Sam!! :-( We have all fingers and paws crossed here for him. Sending you all <<<HUGS>>> xxxx

Hi Sarah,

Fingers crossed for Sam that the test results have a good outcome.  Pancreatic problems are actually not that uncommon in older dogs and can often be treated with meds and diet monitoring.  Please God it is just an infection but if not, hopefully he will have a manageable condition.

Sending {{{hugs}}}, chin up, Teri x  

Thanks all. Got to see how he is when I go home at lunchtime as the vet said that if he was sick again or didn't want to eat, then to bring him in again this evening. He didn't want to walk too much today, got him to the top of the park, he did his business and then started to walk home very slowly.

It was so sad last night as he usually likes a cuddle, I have a 26 kilo lapdog who didn't want any attention at all. I slept in the spare room with him last night so he wasn't alone. At least he didn't wake me up in the night has he has done for the last couple of nights wanting to go out. He has the runs as well and seems to be loosing his bowel control a little. Not sure if thats related, we shall see what the results come up with.

She mentioned about changing his diet if its pancreatic, but when she mentioned the word 'cancer', then I got really upset. She also said that he seemed to be in pain and the way he laid on the floor was as if he was trying to relieve some of that pain.

Hope Sam is ok. {{{hugs}}} to you both

Just went home to see them both and Sam seems fairly perky this afternoon. He had a little to eat and think I will spoil him tonight and make him some scrambled eggs, something bland may be better for him for a couple of days. He had locked himself in the bathroom and completely shreded a newspaper that was in there :) Left it for hubby to clear up (it was his newspaper).

Glad to hear he's perked up a little bit :) Makes ya want to give them the biggest {{{hug}}} in the world!

Wishing lots of get well messages.  Hope he is on the mend.

Thanks for your kind wishes

He is much better and loved his scrambled eggs last night, but still taking him for the blood test tomorrow. He still has the runs and woke me up at 1am to let him out in the garden. He had a little of his own food this morning.

Still keeping him away from the puppy until he finishes his course of antibiotics as a preventative measure.

Hi Sarah

Sorry to hear about Sam.  Your Vet really should have told you to starve Sam while he is having problems with his pancreas as food can make it a whole lot worse :-(

I have an older dog who was diagnosed with pancreatits last year & I understand how miserable they get.  It is going to be important now that any food you give is low fat.  Most Vets offer prescription food but personally we don't use that but rather manage it holistically with diet.  It is also important to keep Sam's stress levels to a minimum.

In 18 months my Molly has had 3 attacks but thankfully she's been able to stay home ~ more often than not they have to be hospitalised on fluids.  After the last attack cancer was mentioned but since then she has been as bright as a button & skipping around with the others :-)

I do have a natural feeding diet sheet for pancreatitis if you're interested.  My Vet has been happy with how it has managed Molly.

Hope Sam is feeling much, much better really soon :-)

Hi Borderpride

I could really do with that sheet. Sam had a miserable weekend and seemed really uncomfortable. With Pancreatitis, is it normal for them to lose their bladder control? We had a few accidents in the house, and he kept going in the garden constantly. I felt so sorry for him but I could hadly bear to be in the same room too long has his wind is so bad and am not sure if this is a symptom of this illness. There is definately something wrong, he is not his happy, cherpy self and he is not eating much.

We have kept sam away from the puppy as this does stess him out and the last thing he needs is that bouncing ball of fluff barking at him and trying to play. I have given him lots of TLC

I have put a call in to the vet this morning to try and fast track this blood test result