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We have an 11 year old part shephard. Last Friday she was placed on as IV due to pancreatic enzymes being around 6000. After being maintained on an IV, her levels continue to rise. Yesterday, the level was 12,000. Today the level is at 16,000. A medication was placed in her IV yesterday to try to help bring the levels down. Also an ultrasound revealed severely inflamed pancreatic lining. No tumors or blockages were picked up by the ultrasound. Please give suggestions on the possible cause and cure. Our vets (3) in that clinic don't know where to go next. They have a call into a vet school to see if they can get help.

Submitted: 389 days and 2 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $30
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Age: 11; Female; Breed: part shepard

Already Tried:
She has been at the vet's clinic on an iv since last Friday. Her enzymes were at 6,000. Our vet didn't suspect pancreas because Abby had not been vomiting. However, we had taken her to the vet 3 times last week because Abby wasn't acting like herself. Lab resuls indicated that the enzymes from the pancreas were at 6,000.   So Abby stayed at the clinic so she could get an iv to flush the pancreas. Today is the fifth day that Abby has been on an IV. A medication was added to the IV yesterday because lab results indicated that the enzyme level had increased to 12,000. Today theyare at 16,000. Abby has never gotten table foods, nor has she gotten into garbage. She has never been a dog to steal food. What is so unusual is that 4 months ago today we had a lab die with what started out as pancreatitus. We don't want to lose a second dog. I keep asking if there is a possibility that our dogs could have been poisoned by something or someone. We've been told no. It just seems unusual to have two dogs with the same thing within a four month span of time. Again, the ultrasound only showed an inflamed pancreas. No tumors or blockages were found.
Thanks

Posted by Dr.B 389 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi,

Thank you for your post. I am so sorry to hear that your dog is not doing well.

It would be very helpful if you could answer some questions for me:

- what make you take you dog to the first place?
_ how long was it going on?
- Can you list the actual lab results and the normals in this format?
Lipase 6,000 U/L (1000 - 1500)

- Are there any specialists in your area?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

389 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

I may have answered your questions in the optioal information. Abby just wasn't acting like herself. Therefore she was taken to the vet withinabout three days of dragging around. So within the first week of her being down (tail tucked between legs, no tail wagging, not eating) she was seen three times. The actual lab results are Lipase 6000 u/l on Friday. Yesterday, (Tuesday), the Lipase level was 12000 u/l. Today the lipase level is 16000 u/l . Our vet keeps telling us thatthe lipase level should not be over 1800 u/l. There is a vet school about 1hour and a half away. Our vet has put in a call to them. Thanks

Posted by Dr.B 389 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

What are her other blood values?

389 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

That I don't know. I do know that everything else appeared normal. The specific levels I'm not sure of.

Accepted Answer

Thanks for the information.

Your description makes me think of three possibilities:

1. That your dog has pancreatic cancer. There is an old paper that correlates the lipase level with cancer. I don't recall the exact reference or range, but I think that if the Lipase was greater than 7,000 than there was a greater risk of cancer. Unfortunately, there is no easy test to diagnose it. Putting a needled into the pancreas to collect cells and have clinical pathologist evaluate it may be diagnostic. However, if inflammation is present as well, it can make it more difficult, as inflammation can cause normal cells to look abnormal. If not diagnostic, a piece of the pancreas would be needed.

2. Your dog has a pancreatic abscess/severe pancreastitis that requires surgical intervention to flush out the abdomen.

3. Your dog has a clot in the vessels that supply blood to the pancreas. Unfortunately, additional imaging would be needed to further evaluate that.

I must recommend that if possible you take him to the veterinary school near you. They may be able to give you a diagnosis in 24 hours or less.

I would also recommend 3 view chest films to look for evidence of the spread of cancer into the chest.

I wish I could paint a rosy picture for you, but I am very concerned that he has something serious going on.

Please let me know how I can assist you, even if it is just to help you understand the information you are given so you can make an informed decision.

My thoughts are with you.

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Expert: Dr.B
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/29/2008

Dog Veterinarian

Board qualified in Small Animal Internal Medicine

389 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Dr. Susan

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Respectfully,

Dr. Rebecca Emens

Posted by Dr.B 389 days and 1 hours ago.

Answer

Hi Dr. Emens,

Please let me know if I can help you further.

Best Regards,
_________________
Please press Accept if you find my answer helpful. Want more info? Just reply on your question!
Bonuses for good work are always appreciated!
Thanks for the opportunity to help you!

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