Accepted Answer

Hi Meister,

It is impossible for us to give you an exact diagnoses on any dog but we can give you information. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland that produces and releases enzymes into the digestive track that aid in the digestion of food. When these same enzymes are activated while they are still in the pancreas, inflammation occurs and the enzyme start "digesting" the pancreas itself.

Some common causes of pancreatitis are eating a lot of very fatty foods, obesity, steroid use and other diseases and conditions.

Symptoms of pancreatitis vary but include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weakness or collapse, dehydration, shock, fever, depression, and upper abdominal pain. A dog may indicate abdominal pain by acting restless, panting, crying or wincing when picked up, shaking, standing with an arched back, or lying with the front end down and the rear end elevated

You can read about it in detail here:
http://www.vetcentric.com/reference/encycEntry.cfm?ENTRY=23&COLLECTION=EncycIllness&MODE=full

The emergency vet may have been talking about a disc issue in the neck area. You can read about these here:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/intervertebral-disc-disease-cervical-area/page1.aspx

If the dog's neck is hurting when he moves, then it might stop him from eating. Pancreatitis definitely will but you usually see vomiting and diarrhea with pancreatitis.

When a small dog stops eating, they can quickly become hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar and frequently causing trembling and even seizures in small breeds. Since the dog is not eating, you can put a drop of pancake syrup on your dog's tongue which should raise the level.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hypoglycemia-in-dogs/page1.aspx

A liver shunt is usually a genetic condition. It is a condition where instead of the blood going through the liver and being cleansed, part of the blood is diverted around the liver resulting in a toxic buildup in the blood. This condition can cause a great deal of symptoms and is common in the breed. You can read about these here: http://www.malteseonly.com/shunt2.html

The following sites should help you find a vet to see the dog today.
http://www.vetlocator.com/
http://www.pets911.com/services/emergency/index.php
http://veccs.org/hospital_directory.php

I hope one of these sites is able to direct you to a vet that can see your brother's dog today.

Expert:	Jane Lefler
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	4/28/2009

Behaviorist, Breeder, See Qual.

15 years Breeding Experience, Former vol. Vet Assistant, Dog Behaviorist