Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Lack of appetite, severe abdominal pain

Hi, I am completely stumped about how to help my dog with his almost constant, severe pain that seems to be about his stomach, but she does not pull back or respond to touching any particular point in her body. We haven't been sleeping for days now as I want to monitor her all the time and cannot simply ignore her in pain. She sometimes wants to go out at night and seems relieved by the cool air.
She was only a little less energetic than usual at first, so I took her for a checkup about three weeks ago, everything came out positive in her blood/urine tests, except for some minor infection. The vet suggested an antibiotic for three days, and although I'm wary of using them unless absolutely necessary I thought three days would do no major harm. I gave her some canned tuna with her usual kibble to help her swallow it for three days, not too much. A few days after I stopped the antibiotics, she seemed to have lost some appetite so I fed her some organ meats with bulgur and she ate those well.
Since then, she seemed to have lost all appetite, will only eat if i give the kibble to her mouth one by one, wait for her to swallow. This is how she's been eating for a week now. There was some vomiting at the beginning, but ever since I began to feed her small meals by hand several times a day, she stopped vomiting, although she often looks nauseaous, especially when getting up, or immediately after eating or drinking.
The worst is that she seems to have a lot of pain the last four five days, stands on her feet panting as if in pain, and only sits down when she relaxes a little, which never lasts long. The pain is almost constant lately, she gets an hour break here and there and sleeps, but she never uses her round bed anymore as the curling position seems to be uncomfortable for her and trigger nausea.
Her bowel movements are good, the poop looks always healthy, no diarrhea at any point. She drinks on her own, quite a bit since all this has started, but doesn't touch the food, doesn't pick it up from my hand either, but swallows if i stuff it in her mouth one by one.
The vet does not seem to have a clue, I live in a small town and we only have one here. He last told me to wait.
I have been suspecting pancreatitis because of the way this whole thing started (change of diet, antibiotics, although minor) and because of the severe pain. But the lack of diarrhea/constipation, and no serious vomiting does not fit.
She seems especially uncomfortable after eating or drinking, but only for a while, then she relaxes a bit. But it doesn't last long. At least she doesn't vomit.
I am completely at my wit's end, I can't bear to see her suffer so much and I can't sleep at night for fear she may need me. I have tried some chamomile tea, which I think slightly helped, although not much. At least it doesn't seem to hurt. At the beginning I also tried fasting for a day or two, and then homemade probiotic yogurt, but nothing helped.
I really wish I could do something about her pain, but without knowing the cause, I am fearful of hurting her more with medicine that will surely have side effects as they all do. If it gives her a better fighting chance, I'd rather have her suffer than risk complications.
If not for the pain, she seems like she would not be in such a bad shape. And the lack of appetite might be due to the pain.
The pain did not come out of nowhere, it all started with general lethargy, lack of appetite, and some fever (which she doesn't have anymore), so I suspect some kind of inflammation/infection.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
462827 tn?1333168952
Hi DailyB...Please, come back & let us know how your girl is doing....We have some ideas for you.....Thanks
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Pancreas, Kidney & Liver function would have shown up on your original Blood panel...Was it a complete blood panel or just partial???
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I think she needs some more tests. Like Margot says -to check liver, kidney and pancreas function.

Usually an antibiotic course is at least 5 days, so that is unusual.

An abdominal ultrasound might give up some clues, that is true.

I presume she has been spayed?
Helpful - 0
974371 tn?1424653129
Well, Jarla asked about the same questions I would have.  
Did the Vet akso do x-rays and possibly an ultrasound of her abdomen, if he even has that available.  I assume he ran a complete panel checking liver, kudney and pancreas values?  
There are 3 day,mastering, antibiotics for people but have never heard of them being given to a dog.  
Yes, sounds like the dog is in pain.  You can also ask the Vet for some medication for the nausea.
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
P.S. Did the infection show up in her bloodwork OR her urinalysis? Forgot to ask you that...Sorry......
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Welcome...How old is this dog & what breed???? Is she usually wild & crazy or is she a cough potato??? What kibble are you feeding?? What treats are you feeding??

You said the bloodwork was normal except for slight infection.....How slight? I don't think 3 days of antibiotics would help any infection kind of infection....Actually, I've never heard of just 3 days of antibiotics, ever....

Any sign of Pancreatitis would have shown up on the blood panel 3 weeks ago......Do you have a copy of the bloodwork that you could look at yourself???

You can't stand to see her suffer, your at your wit's end, but you won't let her have any anti-inflammatory medication to see if it would help her, because of side effects??? Then you added, "I'd rather have her suffer than risk complications."  I don't understand this!!!

Please, come back & let us know more about your girl & let's see if we can narrow it down.........Thanks
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community

Top Dogs Answerers
675347 tn?1365460645
United Kingdom
974371 tn?1424653129
Central Valley, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.