Lab with Pancreatitis, Vomiting

Question:

Dear Dr. Smith:

My 12 yr old lab mix was spayed, had parvo as pup. Since then digestive problems and reoccurring pancreatitis about once a year -- we clearit up with Chinese herbs and homeopathy. I feed her Natural Balance by Dick Van Patten along with raw meat and pureed veg mix I prepare. She has always been very fit and trim and active. We walk everyday.

Three months ago she started vomiting every other day. I took her to vet. He treated her with homeopathy and Chinese herbs for the pancreas & vomiting. 3 weeks later
took her back- she was worse. He did blood work-liver levels high. Everything else ok (sugar and blood counts). He said liver disease, possibly cancer and suggested milk thistle. I did research & started her on the herbs (liver health blend including milk
thistle) & diet of canned Nutro foods - sensitive stomachs- very small
servings 3-4x's a day with a powdered greens mix, lecithin,C, Pancreatic
glandulars & more herbs with Prozyme digestive powder.She improved and is keeping
more down. I give her homeopathic blend by Heel to detox & Ipec. I never took
her for the sonogram- she gets very worked up at hospitals since her parvo
and it is very expensive. I also don't think its cancer or liver disease as
she has no other symptoms- good appetite, no distension or any other
problems other than vomiting.

Is there more I can do? She throws up much less, her energy is good. Sometimes she seems warm and pants a bit but temp is normal 101. Seems pancreas more than liver? How long should I expect? What do you think?

Thanks.
Ranae

Response:

Hello Renae,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info.  It sounds as if the liver disease or cancer diagnosis is based on exclusion, using only the clinical signs and liver enzyme levels. Even though she doesn’t have pain and abdominal distention at this time, it still does not eliminate the possibility of liver disease or cancer. You didn’t mention if the pancreatic enzyme levels were elevated at this time, which may give a more concrete diagnosis.

There may be a few other possibilities to consider. Older Labradors can commonly develop mega-esophagus, which manifests as chronic vomiting. You may be controlling it at this time with the small feedings. Yeast overgrowth, helicobacter, esophagitis, foreign bodies and hypothyroidism can all cause vomiting.

It is difficult to give a prognosis without a definite diagnosis, as cancer and pancreatitis would both have a very different quality of life. It’s good to hear she is improving with a change in diet, herbs and digestive powder. As far as treatment you are offering a great diet, though you may want to consider a home cooked or raw diet. If you haven’t treated with acupuncture, it may give her the boost to eliminate the vomiting. It’s difficult for me to give further recommendations or diagnosis without a detailed examination. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA