Abby was presented to AREC early on a Sunday for diarrhoea containing blood, being more lethargic than usual and loss of appetite.
On physical examination, Abby had abdominal pain, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and there was evidence of hypovolemic shock. This can be caused by blood and fluid loss – and can be extremely serious if not treated quickly.
Abby was admitted for diagnostics, monitoring and intravenous fluids to help with dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Her tests included comprehensive blood testing (she was so good during her blood withdrawal – pic above!), abdominal ultrasound and radiographs.
From these tests Abby was diagnosed with pancreatitis – which is a potentially life-threatening condition. As her condition was serious, Abby needed to stay in the hospital for continued treatment and close monitoring.
Her pancreatitis and related symptoms were treated with intravenous fluids, antinausea medication, pain relief, prokinetics, antibiotics and probiotics. Recovery from pancreatitis can take some time, so Abby required ongoing care in hospital for five days.
On discharge on Friday morning, Abby was looking so much better and was happy to see her owners, Melissa and Marc. They, in turn, were extremely relieved Abby was fine and heading home to see her furry sisters.
Pancreatitis in dogs – what to look for
Abdominal pain: If your dog is in pain, they might stretch out in a “praying” position (front legs down, back end up), hunch their back, or seem hesitant to move around.
Upset stomach: Vomiting, diarrhoea and not wanting to eat are all common when something’s off with their digestive system.
Other signs: Your dog might also run a fever, seem extra tired or weak, or just not act like themselves.
