After being terribly sick yesterday, my poor old Molly collapsed & I rushed her to the Vets where she's since been hooked upto a drip & being given pain relief.  We're fairly sure it's a repeat attack of her Pancreatitis :(

This is now Molly's 4th attack in just 2 years & so far is looking to be the worst :(

I'm at my wits end at the moment, have just had a row with the Head Nurse over the fact they'd not started running her blood tests then a row about feeding ~ I feed my lot on the Barf diet, Molly's had been slightly adapted for her pancreatitis after being sent Billinghursts Pancreatitic Diet Sheet.

The Vets want to try to offer Molly some food later on this afternoon & basically the HN laid into me about her diet saying it can't possibly be balanced blah blah blah ~ you other raw feeders will know the drill :rolleyes:  They say they want to try her on Prescription Food ~ I did offer to take some food in but she told me that they refuse to give it :(  I told her my concern was that Molly hasn't been given any commercial type food for nearly 3 years & I'm concerned that a new food could actually make her worse ~ the HN disagreed!

I feel so helpless & that my hands are tied, I want the very best for Molly so have said that they can try her with some prescription food but only wet meat but that if it does set her back or make her worse, I WILL come down on them like a ton of bricks

I feel on such an emotional rollercoaster at the moment, Daisy's puppies made a very early arrival on Saturday night, very small but now picking up & feeding well.  Then this yesterday with Molly & now bl**dy Vets or rather the nurse having a go at me :(  When will these so called professionals start listening to their clients who know their pets better than anyone else   I don't consider myself the "average owner who believes everything that vets say", I'm not completely stupid!

Sorry for moaning, I'm so very tired, have hardly had any sleep since Thursday & it's definitely catching up on me, maybe making me even more sensitive than normal :rolleyes:

If anyone can offer any extra advice then that would be much appreciated but if not then please send prayers & white light to Molly. 

It's not the same here without Molly, my other house dogs are missing her already to the point of refusing their breakfasts this morning (unheard of!).

Thanks for listening :)

Hi Lindsay - so sorry Molly is poorly :(  I can completely understand your frustration about the Nurse's reaction to feeding her - very insensitive under the circumstances.

You may find that the tinned prescription food is OK for her - I'm assuming that you don't know of the ingredients having had an adverse reaction with her before.   Tinned prescription foods are very bland with little more than mushy rice and chicken so if she can tolerate these then try and not become over anxious.

Sending lots of prayers and healing thoughts Molly's way.  Try and get some rest (not easy in the circumstances) - it will make things seem less fraught in the long run.

best wishes, Teri x

Agree with Teri about the tinned food being ok if she's not intolerant to any ingredients BUT that Head nurse should have a word with herself about respecting peoples rights to feed their dogs want they want to. Couldn't you have had a word with the vet himself? I know I wouldn't have stood for anyone refusing to feed my dog her own food. When Maddie was in for a week they let me bring food in and they even went out to the butchers to get her some chicken breasts knowing she couldn't eat commercial food, and they cooked it for her (she wasn't fed raw then) . I would seriously have a word with the vet about her, when you've calmed down a bit though ;)
Really sorry about Molly, hope she gets better soon

Dee

Its so easy to say what you would or wouldnt do, but when the dog is ill and needing care, and you have to leave her at the vets because to move her may kill her, how do you put your foot down? :(  They know they have you over a barell. When you feel sronger, and able to talk with strength and determination, i would ask to talk to the head vet at the practise, and voice your concerns.

No words of wisdom Im afraid, but I believe in angels, and will ask them and my dear departed gem to take care of her xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Actually, Maddie was very ill, at deaths door in fact :( My vets didn't argue over the food issue but had they have done I would of insisted. I only said what I would have done.
Yes ok people, like dogs ;) , are different and Lyndsay was obviously feeling very tired, exhausted even. What I'm getting at is the way the HN spoke to her. That is why I said she should have a word after she has calmed down then she can say her peace.

Missie, wasnt critizing you, although reading my post back, it sounded like it!    Sorry........it was more a thought, in a musing 'how would I have dealt with it' kind of way. trouble is, if they insist they wont give the food, what do you do? I would have left the dog, hoping for the best, because it couldnt be moved, but my goodness would they have known about it afterwards!

really sorry to hear your maddie was so ill, and I hope things are better now. :)

Thats ok :) Must learn to wait before I type ;)
Yes, Maddie is fine now thanks - which is why I know a little bit on the subject of what Lyndsays going through and it annoyed me how the HN could be so cruel :(

:)

Hi Borderpride,

I know excactly how you feel about Molly.  My 9 and a half year old Flatcoat, Indy, has been suffering from pancreatits since he was 4.  Infact he spent his 4th birthday in the vets fighting for his life.  I have been close to loosing him 3 times, and he has had 4 bouts where I have caught it early enough to stop him being hospitalised.

I've Pm'd you

I hope all goes well with Molly, I'll be thinking of her.. and you.

From Missie: Feeding: Oh lyndsay, I'm so sorry. I do know what you are going through  Its horrible when they have setbacks. You must be so stressed out at the moment, what with puppies as well.  She's bound to be feeling a little tired after what she's been through bless.
What kind of smell is it and wheres it coming from?

Hi again Dee

Yes I can understand her being tired too.  I can't explain the smell very well but it's a "dead" smell if that makes any sense & it's horrible.  It doesn't appear to be coming from anywhere in particular ~ at first I thought maybe she'd had an accident in the vets but am sure it's not that.  I'm wondering if it's her kidneys?

I've just read on one of the Vet sites (which like a muppet I just accidently closed!) that when de-hydrated with a pancreatic attack, which Molly was, it can knacker the kidneys although it doesn't quite put it like that!

I can't get over how quickly this attack struck although there has been warning signs with the odd tummy grumble ~ I had spoken to the Vet about this a couple of weeks ago & discussed getting some up to date bloods done but he said to just keep an eye on her.

I'm so worried :( 

Thank you Calmstorm :)  I too believe in angels :)

I am soooooo bl**dy angry right now

I really can't believe some vets & nurses   I finally this afternoon got to speak to the actual vet who'd taken over looking after Molly & she was absolutely useless!!  I knew more than she did

Getting the blood results from the Vet was like getting blood out of a stone   Anyway, bloods that they tested (from blood drawn yesterday) showed inflammation, dehydration & raised Amylase (sp?)  At first when I asked about her Amylase & Lipase she said, "oh they're fine, well within normal limits" but then when I asked her about red & white cells (which incidentally I didn't get!) she said, "oh actually the Amylase is raised but we've not done the Lipase as that has to be requested" ~ what part of me specifically asking for those test to be done didn't they understand!?! grrrrrr

Anyway, the good news is that Molly had responded well to fluids & pain relief & had eaten a little wet, low fat prescription food.  So I asked if she could come home where she would improve much faster with me looking after her ~ "do you think you can look after her then?" was the reply from the Vet!!

I've actually sent ex to fetch her, just spoken to him on the phone & he said that he (who doesn't know how to raise his voice!) had just had a row with the Head Nurse!!  Apparently she was going on about if she wasn't raw fed she wouldn't be in this state   if she was on a "proper food" she wouldn't be ill   Said that "they only have her best interests" which is the point ex said he lost his rag

I really am fuming (& still not had any sleep so bear + sore head = ..........!!)

So the practice is going to get one very snotty letter about their staff's attitudes plus a complaint about the extorionate bill ~ how can they justify £53 to insert a canular   I also think it's time to get a new Vet!!  Since the practice I use got taken over & expanded it's gone far too ....... impersonal is a better word maybe!!

Thank you everyone for your good wishes, they are very much appreciated :)

Molly is now back home thank goodness but is barely recognisable :(  She's completely spaced out on painkillers, very confused, her tummy is far more distended than it was yesterday & on getting the full low down on what the HN told ex, to say I'm angry is beyond   I'm just glad she's now back home where she can be looked after properly.

Please keep Molly in your prayers as she really looks like she needs them :(

No advice, but hopes and healing thoughts sent Molly's way. I hope she's better soon Lyndsay.

Oh Lyndsay...
Ditto what Lori has said...sending warmest wishes for you and Molly xx

Just read your post on Nature diet...
{{{{{Even more great big supportative hugs}}}}}
The cause of pancreatitis is not known it couldnt be more well documented; h there *may* be several contributory factors. It is often associated with a rich, fatty meal. In some cases, it may be associated with the administration of cortisone. But as the cause is difficult to pin down... Comments made to you @ your vets beggar my belief! (did they do an ultra sound?)
   cant bear to think of you there crying Hon, get it off your chest :) make sure you get some rest. {{Hugs}} xx

Thanks Olivia :)

I asked about an ultrasound but there was no one in today to do one :rolleyes:  (erm..... HUGE multi-discipline practice here!! :rolleyes: )

I'm so angry with the Vets & particularly that HN & as it seems more & more cock ups are coming to light I'm seriously considering putting in a complaint to the BVA which I will tell the Senior Partner about tomorrow!

I would lay down my life for my dogs everytime so to be accused of causing this terrible, terrible disease is incomprehendable.

Thanks for them support & the hugs :)

Unbelievable Lyndsay. How cruel can a person be. You're already worried about your beloved Molly and you have to do battle with the staff at the vet!!! Grrr, want me to call them and go American on their a--? ;-) In your situation I would be tempted to call an elite facility like the Royal Veterinary College. I always offer to pay a consultancy fee even over the phone (I find that acknowledging that their time is worth something and my appreciation makes people very helpful and have never been asked to pay).

We'll cross our fingers that the senior vet will step up and sort things out. Big paw-paw hugs to Molly.

Thanks Lori :)

The smell may be...(like parvo the smell of the attacked intestine begining to rot) Pnacreatitis causing leakage of the digestive enzymes wherein the pancreas literally starts to "digest itself'........
perhaps??

Yes that has crossed my mind too :(  Her tummy is very gurgly to the point you can feel it more than hear it.

Just been reading through this thread  - I'm so sorry for all the grief you have got from the vets totally the last thing you needed.

How is she doing today? now that you have got her back home.

Hi Lindsay - how's she doing today?  Any improvement?

What a dreadful way the nurse has behaved - I sincerely hope she's taken to task for treating you in the manner she has.  Totally insensitive and rude at best, hardly professional

I hope you're feeling a bit less stressed and have had the chance to rest for a while.  Things always seem so much harder to cope with when we're over tired.

Fingers crossed you girl's slowly but surely on the mend.
luv Teri x

Thanks everyone :)

Molly seems a lot brighter this morning & has managed a small breakfast very keenly :)  I actually managed to get a little bit of sleep which I'm sure helped when I spoke to the Practice Manager at the Vets this morning!!

The PM is astounded at what has happened & is chasing up all of Molly's notes from their hospital to pass onto the Senior Partner when he gets in this afternoon.  I've told her that this complaint isn't going away, it will be made official & if the SP doesn't take me seriously later then he will also be told that the complaint will be sent to both the RVC & the BVA!!

I still can't get over the HN telling me that this is MY fault , the Vet asking if I'm capable of looking after her & then telling me a blood result that she obviously doesn't know how to read & then withholding the rest of the results when I tried to query it

Anyway, I need to try & stay calm :D  I'm still really worried about Molly & my instinct tells me that there is more going on inside her than I can see :(  Fingers staying crossed for now that Molly will continue to perk up.

Thanks again everyone, you've been brilliant :)

Oh my dear, a I am soooo sorry that all this has happened. keep written records of every conversation you have with them in the form of a diary, put your concerns  into writing to them as a complaint. That way they cannot, at a later date, deny that you have concerns, and they have to reply. make sure you request a reply, and ask how they intend to continue with Molly, and what reasons they have for the treatment and poor information you have received. keep copies of everything. if you do make furthur complaints to vet bodies, you will need to state times and dates, and who you spoke to.

keeping everything crossed for Molly. Hugs to you both.

Well the Senior Partner has just called & I've had a very long chat with him ~ I think I suprised myself by being calm & to the point without going balistic :D

I have told him that my complaint will also be going in by writing to confirm everything & that if I don't receive a written apology from the practice but more so the HN then a complaint will also being going to the RVC.  The SP has apologised himself & is blaming "communication" as the problem to which I pointed out that yes it was a problem & that it needed addressing with some of his staff!!

I did also manage to get the rest of Molly's blood results, her liver, kidneys & cells are all normal, her Lipase is as I suspected also up but not in the same realms as her Amylase which was 4400 U/L (so they'd still told me wrong yesterday!). 

The SP & I did have a disagreement about food & diets until I reminded him of how happy he's always been with Molly's management & that maybe the staff should read the benefits of raw feeding, especially that that is written on their own company website :rolleyes:

Anyway, although Molly is by no means anywhere near 100%, she is looking much brighter & has even stretched to a bit of play with the others who are soooo happy to have their boss back :D  So far she's had 3 small meals today ~ I've actually been giving her the ND Sensitive which she is loving (& importantly keeping down!).  Normally Molly is a thief so when Twist left one of his chicken wings I expected her to try & pinch it but no she sniffed it & turned her nose up at it before Twist came back to reclaim it!!

Thanks everyone for your support, it has meant a lot :)

Really pleased to hear that she is a lot better today :)

Thanks for the update Lindsay - and good luck with sorting out the Nasty Nurse :D
Most importantly your girl sounds to be perking up and everything is crossed here that she continues to do so.

best wishes, Teri

Great to hear that Molly is feeling better.  What a traumatic time you've had. 
Would be interested in what vets you use , as I think we live in the same sort of area.  I wonder if anyone else has had a bad experience with this nurse.

Best wishes from all at Hopevalley (especially Indy, fellow pancreatitis sufferer) for a speedy recovery for you both :)

Glad to hear Molly is feeling a bit better. Good for you for staying calm! You always end up with more power if you can (not always easy). We'll keep our paws crossed that she continues to improve and you find an answer to all this.

Happy thoughts to Molly and Lyndsay!!

Nice to hear good news! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery and hugs to Molly :D