Weight loss... good or bad ???

Francesca Rogier
BRINDI HEALTH NEWS: The vet called this morning with troubling news about Brindi's blood test result for the pancreatic enzyme level. It's back up again, to 30% above normal. She went over the situation with me in detail. Only two months ago the level was normal (Jan. 24). Yet a month before, it was elevated 30% above normal, for some time. HRM and the kennel are not reporting any pancreatitis symptoms (attacks of diarrhea, vomiting), nor did they report any back then. This makes no sense for a dog with a history of chronic pancreatitis. Almost always, the increased enzyme level is accompanied by symptoms. Our vets did the ultrasound to rule out the only other likely cause of the enzyme level increase, i.e., some kind of "mass" (a tumor or thickening). The level went down a month later, but now it's up again.
And again, the vets cannot figure out why the level shot up. It just doesn't make sense. Sure, there could be some cause they don't know about yet in veterinary medicine - but evidently there aren't any statistics or studies to compare it to, so it would be a pretty big anomaly. They do know that Brindi had symptoms of pancreatitis in September, because the HRM vet documented them in a letter. And the same letter referred to previous attacks she had over the summer, which HRM didn't report at the time. Put that all together with the lack of a readily available explanation for her weight loss of around two pounds since January, and you have to ask, what is going on here, if she didn't have diarrhea or vomiting (which would explain weight loss)???!
Are HRM and/or the kennel are being truthful? Are they overlooking something? The vet is really frustrated. She pointed out to me that of course, a dog owner would be able to notice subtle changes and report on a dog's health in a lot more detail than a kennel. That frustrates the heck out of me, as you can imagine.
At my request, she's looking into a new therapy for stem cell stimulation that Lana Horan recommended. I hope she can start on that soon. It's called StemEnhance. I bought several bottles in 2010 and had just started Brindi on it with the same idea, when HRM took her again. In the meantime, Brindi can't go back on normal (tastier) food or have treats until the enzyme level gets back to normal. That's also frustrating, because she's been on low fat, reduced calorie food for at least half a year now.
They forgot to take photos last week, with all this coming up. I know we'd all like to see some; thanks to those who asked. Hopefully next time...!

Meanwhile she said this just last Thursday... March 29th

I have said many things cause pancreatitis and here is proof....

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_11/features/Canine-Pancreatitis-Symptoms-and-Treatment_16081-1.html

Causes of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is often blamed on high-fat diets, though there is little scientific evidence to support this. Active, working dogs, such as sled dogs, can eat as much as 60 percent fat in their diets without developing pancreatitis, but too much fat may cause trouble for middle-aged, overweight, relatively inactive dogs, who are the ones most commonly affected by pancreatitis. Too much fat can also cause problems for some dogs with chronic pancreatitis.

Dietary indiscretion, such as eating rancid fatty scraps from the garbage, can also lead to pancreatitis, particularly when a dog accustomed to a low- or normal-fat diet ingests high-fat foods. That’s why pancreatitis incidents are thought to increase after Thanksgiving, when people may feed their dogs a meal of turkey skin and drippings.

Low-protein diets have also been shown to predispose dogs to pancreatitis, especially when combined with high fat intake. Some prescription diets may be a concern, such as those prescribed to dissolve struvite bladder stones; to prevent calcium oxalate, urate, or cystine stones; and to treat kidney disease; especially for breeds prone to pancreatitis.

Several medications have been associated with pancreatitis, most recently the combination of potassium bromide and phenobarbital used to control epilepsy. This combination has a much higher risk of causing pancreatitis than phenobarbital alone (no studies have been done on the use of potassium bromide by itself).

Many other medications have been linked to pancreatitis, though the relationship is not always clear. These include certain antibiotics (sulfa drugs, tetracycline, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin); chemotherapy agents (azathioprine, L-asparaginase, vinca alkaloids); diuretics (thiazides, furosemide); other antiepileptic drugs (valproic acid, carbamazepine); hormones (estrogen); long-acting antacids (cimetidine, ranitidine); Tylenol (acetaminophen); and aspirin (salicylates).

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are especially controversial: while veterinarians have long considered them to be the most common drug to cause pancreatitis, recent human studies have discounted this link. Based on anecdotal evidence, however, I believe the association does exist in dogs. I personally know dogs who developed pancreatitis within days of being given corticosteroids.

Toxins, particularly organophosphates (insecticides used in some flea control products), as well as scorpion stings and toxic levels of zinc, may also lead to pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis can occur in dogs of any age, breed, or sex. That said, most dogs with pancreatitis are middle-aged or older, overweight, and relatively inactive.

Certain conditions may predispose a dog to pancreatitis. These includediabetes mellitus (though it is not clear whether pancreatitis precedes diabetes); acute hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood, usually from a calcium infusion or poisoning rather than diet or supplements);hyperlipidemia (high fat content in the blood, again usually due to metabolic disorder rather than diet);hypothyroidism; and Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism).

Both diabetes and hypothyroidism can affect fat metabolism and lead to hyperlipidemia, which may predispose a dog to pancreatitis. Miniature Schnauzers are prone to developing hyperlipidemia and thus may have an increased risk of pancreatitis. Obesity predisposes dogs to pancreatitis, and the disease is often more severe in dogs who are overweight.

Pancreatitis can occur in dogs of any age, breed, or sex. That said, most dogs with pancreatitis are middle-aged or older, overweight, and relatively inactive. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Collies, and Boxers have been shown to have an increased relative risk of chronic pancreatitis, and Cocker Spaniels an increased relative risk of acute and chronic pancreatitis combined. Dachshunds have been reported to be predisposed to acute pancreatitis.

Other breeds mentioned as having an increased risk for pancreatitis include the Briard, Shetland Sheepdog, Miniature Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, terriers (especially Yorkies and Silkies), and other non-sporting breeds.

People sometimes develop autoimmune chronic pancreatitis, and it is theorized that dogs may as well. German Shepherd Dogs have been shown to develop immune-mediated lymphocytic pancreatitis, which predisposes them to pancreatic atrophy.

Pancreatitis has been associated with immune-mediated diseases, which may include IBD, though the cause-and-effect relationship is not understood. While there is no scientific evidence to support this, some doctors have suggested that food allergies could be a rare cause of recurrent or chronic pancreatitis. I think IBD could possibly be both a cause and an effect of pancreatitis, or that both could be caused by an underlying autoimmune disease or food allergy.

Dogs with immune-mediated pancreatitis may respond well to corticosteroids such as prednisone, which suppress the immune system, even though this drug has also been thought to cause acute pancreatitis.

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