Hi XXXXXXXXXXX,
Your breed is prone to diabetes mellitus which is a chronic deficiency of the insulin hormone. This can result in the destruction of cells in the pancreas that normally produce insulin.
Some symptoms are increased thirst, increase in urination, weight loss even though the normal intake of food has not decreased, and sudden blindness.
I am going to direct you to a site on this for further examination.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/diabetes-in-dogs/page1.aspx
dog training consultant
24 years training & behavior,pet first aide, Therapy dog eval., PA Animal Response Team
I am sorry, I meant to give you more information on this and I was interrupted when one of my dogs escaped the yard , had to go find him.
Diabetes could cause pancreatitis. Diabetes can affect many body organs which are talked about in the site I sent you.
Here is more on pancreatitis http://www.petplace.com/dogs/acute-pancreatitis-in-dogs/page1.aspx
Because you mentioned the gums being pale it lead me to diabetes as being the root of the problem.
Also worms could have played a part in this. If the med was over the counter sometimes it does not work as well as what the vet may give you. Here is more on worms.
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/worms.html