9 y.o. Gold Retreiver No bowel movement

[wareagle1776]

My dog has not had a bowel movement in approx. 3 days even after a couple of enemas started yesterday.X-rays have shown he is full and has no blockage at all, he is currently taking amoxicillin,metoclopramide ,famotidine and recieving 1000 ml lactated ringers twice a day started today on the fluid. He has been diagnosed with pancreatitus and is currently not eating or drinking. Vet has said there is not much more they can do except wait and see. Anybody out there have any ideas or is this perhaps the end of life situation.



Thanks Robert

[pugsrule]

Robert, i am so sorry to hear this. Is it an acute pancreatitis attack, or does he have chronic attacks!?

I see from the meds he is on, they are mostly anti nausea or antibiotic. I am very surprised they do nothave him on pain meds. this is pretty standard practice, as it can be very painful.

If I were you, I would send Dr Lee a pm on here, and see if he can help you out. I personally dont think it is usually an end of life situation, but I am no vet.

Prayers Joan

[wareagle1776]

Actually this is the second attack in 2 weeks and just right now he threw up about an ice cubes worth of water as thats all he had in him. His blood work yesterday showed his pancreatitus as not being as severe but this time his liver was showing a little high on the numbers but vet said it wasn't bad. He was hospitalized first time and this time I'm doing fluid shots here and at this point he's not gaining but perhaps holding steady since his fluids this morning. I'm not sure there's anything more to do but keep him comfortable he does not seem to be in pain but perhaps he's just tough and is not showing it.

[aslan]

i've pm'd Dr. Lee to check this thread when he logs on..I hope your baby feels better soon.

[wareagle1776]

Thank You, I appreciate it.




Robert

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by wareagle1776

My dog has not had a bowel movement in approx. 3 days even after a couple of enemas started yesterday.X-rays have shown he is full and has no blockage at all, he is currently taking amoxicillin,metoclopramide ,famotidine and recieving 1000 ml lactated ringers twice a day started today on the fluid. He has been diagnosed with pancreatitus and is currently not eating or drinking. Vet has said there is not much more they can do except wait and see. Anybody out there have any ideas or is this perhaps the end of life situation.

While I haven't seen your pet and am not fully aware of the case, it is unusual for canine constipation to constitute an "end of life situation." Usually focusing on the underlying disease (i.e. pancreatitis) and supportive care will take care of the constipation issues. In cats, I have had cases of complete obstipation where the cat needs to be anesthetized to manually evacuate the colon. However in dogs, addressing hydration, managing the underlying condition, diet change, enemas and laxatives will virtually always resolve the constipation. I had a case of a dog eating a huge amount of sand at the beach. Upon rectal, his stool felt like rock. Repeated enemas, laxatives, some pain medication and the pet was able to pass everything with ease.

Some other things to consider: "nothing in, nothing out" - if the pet isn't eating, then stool is not being made, so not evacuating the colon, is not always a problem; if there is not an anatomic disease (ie tumor) that is not allowing the colon to be emptied, then medical management should be able to address the issue; and finally, pancreatitis can be a very serious condition - this is the area that needs to be focused on (assuming no other conditions).

I hope that this helps.

[wareagle1776]

Thank you for your response, I guess I'm not seeing any improvement as far as he will not stand up or anything at this point, perhaps a little worsening in his overall appearance, will continue to monitor his condition and hope for the best. Thanks again

Robert

[pugsrule]

can you ask your vet for some pain meds? metacam or something similar may get him feeling better, and then he would eat. Please consider a phone call to your vet to see if this is a possibility.

[wareagle1776]

I won't offer him any food until tomorrow, as his stomach needs to heal and I don't think the vet thought he was in pain although he thought that he should be. First thing in the morning I'll call and see what he thinks. He seems to be very comfortable right now and I hope it continues

Robert

[pugsrule]

pancreatitis by definition is inflammation of the pancreas. An anti-inflammatory is certainly indicated to prevent further damage to the pancreas up to and including diabetes. JMO

[wareagle1776]

Just to let everybody know my beloved pet Spook died yesterday afternoon, it became readily apparent during the evening he was not going to make it so we kept him comfortable to the end with meds and fluids died in my arms have not cried this much in a long time as men don't cry.
Don't know about pets in heaven as the Bible doesn' say but I know he won't suffer. Thanks for listening

Sincerely Robert

[aslan]

Robert i am so sorry to hear about your loss, was hoping for a better outcome. Spook is painfree now and running and playing again..and men do too cry.



Spook

[hazelrunpack]

I'm so sorry for your loss of Spook, Robert I firmly believe we'll join up with our companions after we die--what would heaven be without them?

He knew you loved him. He felt your love right to the end and took it with him. That creates a powerful bond--can't you still feel him in your heart? What a wonderful gift you gave him!

Eventually, you know, all the happy memories the two of you made together will start to make you smile. Till then, tears are appropriate, even for men

Spook

[Frenchy]

So sorry for your loss Robert

don't worry about Spook , animals have their own heaven :


The Rainbow Bridge


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet
goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special
friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water
and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we
remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy
and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special
to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body
quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green
grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy
kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and
you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from
your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[wareagle1776]

Thanks for the kind and reassuring words I really do appreciate them, I suppose we did alright by him, almost 10 years and thousands of dollars over the years because of his severe allergies, no regrets even though 2 days of no sleep was hard to bear, I'd do it all over again because of the many memories I now have can't be replaced.

Thanks again, Robert

[luckypenny]

God made all creatures great and small, Robert. I imagine He welcomes us all in Heaven.

My sincerest condolences .

Spook

[ScottieDog]

Robert, I am so sorry for your loss. No matter how long we have them in our lives, it isn't long enough. I believe you and Spook will be reunited at some point. It wouldn't be Heaven without ALL the ones we love, beloved pets included.

Sweet Spook