Flynn 11 y/o Foxie Cross - Right adrenalectomy- Good Bye Flynny We will miss you

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Originally Posted by Trish

His amylase on the bloods sent to the lab is normal 1013 iu/l (329-1074) compared to the in house one done on same sample which was 2590 (300-1100) which i guess makes pancreatitis less likely??

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Dogs can still be suffering from pancreatitis and have normal levels in the amylase and/or lipase.

My angel boy, Harley, had chronic pancreatitis, one time I had his amylase and lipase checked along with a spec PL test and those enzymes did come back within the normal limits but his spec PL test came back with an elevated number confirming the pancreatitis.

The best way to diagnose and monitor pancreatitis is with the spec PL test.

Hoping Flynn is feeling much better real soon.

Hi Lori
Thanks for that, I was just googling to get a better understanding of pancreatitis tests and read that, i wonder why they did not do those tests as well.

They have given me oral liquid temgesic for pain, I gave him a dose when we got home and he has perked up quite a bit, even took himself to his toybox to select a toy to destroy :D I hope he is still feeling good in the morning.

xx

Trish,
Has Flynn's cortisol level been checked? I am wondering if it might be low. Is his remaining adrenal gland functioning normally?

I have learned with everything that Jasper has been through that the electrolytes get affected also when the cortisol goes low. A low Na:K ratio can be indicative of Addison's, and from the results you posted, it looks like this is low for Flynn. I don't see the Na level posted, is it normal? I hope he feels better soon.

Tina

No his cortisol hasn't been checked, his sodium is normal at 146 (141-153) I will check this out with his vet in the morning.
Thx for the tip
Trish xx

Tina - I got quite worried when you wrote about the addisons and started searching the medicine cabinet for prednisone! I only found one 20mg tablet from 2004!! :eek::eek:

So I emailed Flynn's surgeon... it is now just before midnight and bless his cotton socks he must have been at his computer and replied straight away as below....

The potassium is only just up, and probably consistent with a mild dehydration etc. All other blood works are OK, so although it can be difficult to completely rule out addisons I don't he has it. Also, there is no real reason for him to develop it. I mentioned the possibility that Flynn could develop it post-op when we didn't know for sure what type of adrenal mass he had. Now that the mass has been confirmed as a phaeo, there is no reason for him to develop addison's postop so the other adrenal doesn't need to 'kick in' - it should be working just fine!!

Kate wasn't in today, but will run things past her tomorrow.

For the moment, hold tight, keep Flynn hydrated and comfy and try not to get too anxious. Pancreatitis is most likely and can take a while to settle fully.

Kate is the IMS... so we will see what she has to say tomorrow, poor Flynn I keep poking him to make sure he is OK, he has had the temgesic so all he wants to do is sleep!

Well he is right about the anxious part :o

Crikey, what a saga this surgery has turned into... hope your not getting too sick of Flynn updates :rolleyes:
xx

We will never get sick of Flynn updates!!! We are all pulling for him and want to know how he is during this post-op period. As if the actual surgery wasn't stressful enough, then add all of his ups and downs post-op. ugh!!! I am sorry you guys are going through all of this. The surgeon told me that the first two weeks after the surgery are rough. I guess he was right. I hope he gets better...continued prayers sent your way.

here thinking of you and Flynn

Hi

Heard back from they university, they want ACTH stim test done. So I have just dropped Flynn off for more bloods. I also asked them to repeat electrolytes and also the spec PL test. They want me to keep him off the previcox, continue antinausea so I will get a shot of that to give him tonight when it is due and continue low fat diet.

Flynn seems better again this morning, he ate, did the best poop since surgery :D:D much more formed - still not normal, but I will take it!! Less lethargic, he came face to face with a HUGE bulldog in the vet waiting room and gave him a woof :D so he must be feeling a bit better!

I am wondering about gastritis, I remember in Kim's thread her dog Annie with the pheo had trouble with ulcers. A few months back Flynn had a dental and they found ulcers at the back of his mouth. Quite often when I take him in the car to drop him off on my way to work, he hangs his head in the back seat and this is always after eating. I have asked surgeon about that and is there something we could try?

Phew, another day another potential problem :confused:
xx

We Love the Flynn updates. Don't stop, we'd all go into major panic attacks!
*tap tap tap, anxiously awaiting the spec PL and ACTH test results. tap tap tap
Patience is soooo over rated

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Good memory on my Annie's ulcers... keep in mind that the guy that did the endoscopy had been doing them there for 25+ years and never seen anything like it. That said I do think gases were formed as a result of the pheo.

Not sure if you can get it but in the US we use Slippery Elm Bark (SEB) in powdered form for gastric issues including pancreatitus. Many vets use it as their secret weapon. It's cheap and easy. Worth a shot but I would be sure to talk to your vets about it since you have so much going on. IT is all natural but you want to use it 2 hrs before or after giving other meds if I'm not mistaken.

Hope this helps. YOu can google and read about it. Kim