On May 4, 2009 my little Mumu had been very sick. First he was vomiting food, and then he became lethargic and very weak. He lost his appetite and had to be force-fed. I was very worried so I sent my assistants to bring Mumu to Dr Prem’s Veterinary Clinic in KL. At first the diagnosis was Mumu could have eaten something that upset his stomach. But after two days, Mumu was getting even weaker so we sent him Dr Prem again. Dr Prem did a blood test and concluded that Mumu had pancreatitis (see bottom more for info on pancreatitis), and his enzyme level was alarmingly high, five times higher than normal. It was very urgent so Dr Prem immediately put Mumu on drip, cutting off any food and drink so as not to aggravate the situation. KB was very kind and volunteered to stay with Mumu throughout the night at Dr Prem’s clinic. This was Tuesday. In fact KB lovingly stayed every night at the clinic for four nights to sleep with Mumu to keep him company. Dr Prem generously allowed it as it is not normal procedure.

(Dr Prem is such a loving, caring and a wonderful doctor. He really cares about the animals that come to his clinic. He is so well known here in Kuala Lumpur. The animals and animal owners are so blessed to have Dr Prem here. And he is so experienced in taking care of animals. I highly recommend him please. Dr Prem in his medical expertise saved my Mumu’s life. I am grateful to this great man! Thank you so much Dr Prem. A great Namaste to you!)

On Wednesday, Dr Prem performed an ultrasound on Mumu to check for abscesses or cancer. Thank goodness none was found! Also, Dr Prem concluded that Mumu’s lipid level was normal and he did not have hyperlipidemia which is another cause of pancreatitis.

Many of my students visited Mumu at clinic, Ruby, Elize, Henry and Angel, Adeline, etc…

On Friday morning, the enzyme test results came out and showed that Mumu’s enzyme level was 1449, pretty much back to normal, while it was 9945 when he was admitted on Tuesday. This means Mumu is well again!

Above is Elize together with Dr Prem. I got Mumu from Elize five years ago. She owns a pet shop and she loves dogs. She will not simply sell dogs to people she doesn’t trust will take care of the dogs. Elize owns Mumu’s dad, mom and sister. She loves Mumu also. So her experience was very welcomed and she helped with Mumu at the clinic every day. I appreciate her help very much. Can you imagine, I got Mumu from Elize five years ago, and she comes around to help Mumu get healed!!!! What a great lady!!!!

Inserting the needle for the drip for my Mumu because he can’t eat, very weak, very lethargic, can barely walk around. My poor little innocent Mumu. My poor Mumu. I wish his disease comes to me and he can get well. I would gladly suffer it for my Mumu. My poor dear little Mumu.

My poor sweet Mumu. Although weak and in pain, he never complained and just cooperated all the way. I was so worried, I could not sleep. He stayed still for whatever was done to him. He is such a wonderful and cooperative little guy.

Precious KB sitting in with Mumu and slept in this small space with Mumu for four nights to keep Mumu company!! And to make sure Mumu is ok. So much love, so much compassion, I am so grateful to KB. I didn’t assign him but KB wanted to stay with Mumu. Mumu was very happy to have KB there also. I thank KB so much for his care and love. I am so appreciative.

Elize above with my Mumu at the clinic. Elize visited a lot. Thank you Elize.

KB having his meal, while Mumu sleeps next to him under a warm blanket.

Mumu was getting better so KB had glasses on my little Mumu as the lights were bright and Mumu is a STAR after all…hehehe. Seriously, here, Mumu was getting better already. Can you see a laptop? Well KB had the webcam on all night so I can see Mumu and how he is from my end. It was KB’s idea and KB is so thoughtful. I couldn’t sleep. I watched Mumu on the webcam all night. It helped a lot.

Dr Prem gently shaves Mumu for an ultrasound. Everything ok except the inflamed pancreas which has since returned to normal!!!

Ultrasound. Nothing horrible found except inflamed pancreas which has since subsided!!!! HUGE RELIEF!!

Ruby visiting Mumu

More friends visiting Mumu

Beng Kooi with Mumu at the clinic

After around two days, Mumu could go back on light solid foods like rice porridge. This is Mumu’s first solid meal after entering the clinic. My poor Mumu was starving even with the drip. When I saw this picture of Mumu eating, I WAS SO RELIEVED AND SO HAPPY.

Mumu taking a nap at the clinic. Rest my Mumu boy and heal…never get sick again!!!

Chris and Ms Han of KIM dept visiting little Mumu. Chris has two schnauzers and is a dog lover also.

Monlam, KB and Mumu. Mumu loves these two guys and these guys really love Mumu. They always try to get my ok for Mumu to sleep with them at night… hehehehe cute!!

Angel visiting Mumu

Card from Paris (Jamie) and Monlam (below)

Card from Henry and Angel’s kids from Edward and Beatrix

Offering from Edward and Beatrix for Mumu to get well..how thoughtful!!!

Mumu got Get Well cards and flowers…how thoughtful, sweet and touching.

I did Medicine Buddha puja, Black Manjushri practice and White Tara practice for Mumu daily for four days. To dedicate for his healing. The flowers and offerings are set up for Mumu’s pujas.

Medicine Buddha statue obtained and dedicated to Mumu’s healing.

Offerings above are for the Medicine Buddha pujas

Tara Pujas

My Mumu above on the third day at the clinic, already gaining strength and barking and wailing at the other dogs!!! Cute!!

The adorable chow chow who was staying next to Mumu at the clinic. Our people went to visit this chow chow to cheer him up also.

Mumu at the clinic, just woke up.

Prince Mumu having a walk around the clinic for fresh air with Su Ming carrying him and Paris holding up his drip…hehehe cute…

Mumu eating porridge

Taking off Mumu’s drip!

Above, Adeline went to visit Mumu and Mumu kissed her to say hello. Mumu is very friendly and a very good boy.

Mumu’s first meal in Ladrang (home) after spending four nights in clinic. Welcome home Mumu!!!!!!

Kind KB giving Mumu his first bath after coming back from the clinic

Mumu and Monlam

I thank KB and Beng Kooi (BK) who did everything meticulously when Mumu became seriously ill. With a lot of love, care and focus, they were with Mumu every step of the way until he was healed going through a battery of tests. They meticulously updated me every step of the way. It was frightening to read the SMSes but of course I needed to know what is happening.

Basically BK and KB SAVED MY MUMU’S LIFE because of their care. I can’t thank them enough. Everything that KB and BK does is from their heart. They never rush anything or take anything for granted, they really are CARING, WONDERFUL AND CONSCIENTIOUS PEOPLE. I am lucky to have them. Mumu is lucky to have their love. They are assets to Kechara House.

KB went to Nepal around eight days ago. Tomorrow, on Saturday May 29, 2010 KB is getting married! We congratulate KB very much. After his wedding and a few things to do, he will return. We miss him but we are happy for him. I look forward to his return. Everyone does. So many people love and respect KB!

I had special pujas done at the monastery for Mumu, and he is on a meticulously-planned and careful diet. Mumu enjoys the new food very much. He gobbles it down. Mumu has made a full recovery!!! THANK YOU TO THE THREE JEWELS!!! THANKS TO Dr Prem, KB, BK AND OTHERS WHO HELPED SO MUCH.

Mumu is back with me and sleeping with me nightly and up to his little routines again. How nice. As I type this, Mumu is playing on the balcony with his friend Zamkar with little Oser looking on…hehehehe cute cute cute!

BELOW IS INFORMATION FOR YOU SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THE WARNING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THIS FATAL SICKNESS THAT CAN REALLY BE DANGEROUS FOR YOUR DOGS, so that you might catch it quick without delay. If the symptoms come up, you must rush to a good clinic, don’t take chances. It was the quick thinking of BK and KB that saved my Mumu’s life. May none of your dogs suffer this fatal sickness or any sickness, ever! Om Mani Peme Hung. May no animals ever suffer anything!

Tsem Rinpoche

Pancreatitis (Inflammation) in Dogs

Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc.

The pancreas is a V-shaped organ located behind the stomach and the first section of the small intestine, the duodenum. It has two main functions: it aids in metabolism of sugar in the body through the production of insulin, and is necessary for the digestion of nutrients by producing pancreatic enzymes. These enzymes help the body promote the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden onset of pancreatic inflammation.

Causes

Multiple factors can contribute to the development of pancreatitis. Certain medications, infections; metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia (high amounts of lipid in the blood) and hypercalcemia (high amounts of calcium in the blood); obesity; and trauma and shock can be associated with the development of pancreatitis. Middle-aged dogs appear to be at increased risk of developing pancreatitis; as a breed, Schnauzers and Yorkshire terriers appear to be more prone to pancreatitis. Nutrition also plays a role. Dogs with diets high in fat, dogs who have recently gotten in to the trash or have been fed table scraps, or dogs who ‘steal’ or are fed greasy ‘people food’ seem to have a higher incidence of the disease. In addition, dogs who have previously had pancreatitis or abdominal surgery appear to be more at risk.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of the acute form of pancreatitis in dogs include a very painful abdomen, abdominal distention, lack of appetite, depression, dehydration, a ‘hunched up’ posture, vomiting, diarrhea and yellow, greasy stool. Fever often accompanies these symptoms. Animals with more severe disease can develop heart arrhythmias, sepsis (body-wide infection), difficulty breathing, and a life-threatening condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which results in multiple hemorrhages. If the inflammation is severe, organs surrounding the pancreas could be ‘autodigested’ by pancreatic enzymes released from the damaged pancreas and become permanently damaged.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pancreatitis is made through information obtained from the history, the physical exam, and laboratory testing. Dogs with pancreatitis generally have an increased blood levels of the pancreatic enzymes called amylase and lipase. If the liver also becomes inflamed, liver enzymes as measured in the blood may be increased. A rather new test, serum cPLI (pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity), may prove to be a valuable diagnostic aid. The white blood cell count is generally increased in acute pancreatitis. Radiography (x-rays) and ultrasound can also help in making the diagnosis. biopsy can result in a conclusive diagnosis, but is not commonly performed.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to rest the pancreas, provide supportive care and control complications. If vomiting is severe, treatment usually begins with a withholding of food, water, and oral medications for at least 24 hours. The lack of oral intake stops the stimulation of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. Depending upon the animal’s response food intake can be started again after a day or more. The pet is generally fed small meals of a bland, easily digestible, high-carbohydrate, low-fat food. Over the course of a week or more, the size of meals and quantity of food fed are increased. The dog may need to stay on a special diet for life, or it may be possible to gradually reintroduce the former diet. High-fat diets or treats should be avoided.

The second major component of treatment is fluid therapy. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common in dogs with acute pancreatitis, and water intake is often restricted so fluid therapy is usually needed. Fluids are either given subcutaneously or intravenous.

Dogs who are experiencing severe pain can be treated with pain relievers such as meperidine or butorphanol. Antibiotics are often administered prophylactically to protect against infection.

If the pancreatitis was caused by a medication, the medication should be stopped. If it was caused by a toxin, infection, or other condition, the appropriate therapy for the underlying condition should be started.

In rare instances where there are intestinal complications or the development of a pancreatic abscess, surgery may be necessary.

Long-term management and prognosis

Pancreatitis can be a very unpredictable disease. In most cases, if the pancreatitis was mild and the pet only had one episode, chances of recovery are good and avoiding high fat foods may be all that is necessary to prevent recurrence or complications. In other cases, what appears to be a mild case may progress, or may be treated successfully only to have recurrences, sometimes severe.

Dogs with severe pancreatitis can recover, but may also develop fatal complications. The risk of developing fatal pancreatitis is increased in dogs who are overweight, or have diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal tract disease, and epilepsy. Pets who have repeated bouts of pancreatitis may need to be fed low-fat diets to prevent recurrence. Even so, some animals develop chronic pancreatitis, which can lead to diabetes mellitus and/or pancreatic insufficiency, also called ‘maldigestion syndrome.’

In pancreatic insufficiency, the nutrients in food are passed out in the feces undigested. An animal with this disease often has a ravenous appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. Even though he is eating, he could literally starve to death. Treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is lifelong and expensive, but is possible. The pet’s digestive enzymes are replaced through a product processed from pancreases of hogs and cattle which contain large quantities of the digestive enzymes. A change in diet with added nutritional supplements may also be necessary.

Summary

Acute pancreatitis can be a life-threatening condition, and early recognition and treatment can improve chances of recovery. In dogs, fever, lack of appetite, depression and vomiting are the most common signs. Treatment is based upon reducing or stopping all oral intake to rest the pancreas, correcting the dehydration and maintaining proper fluid and electrolyte balances, and treating any complications or underlying conditions.

Source: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1580&aid=335

Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:

If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team