Expert: Norman Auspitz - 9/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: My 6 year old spayed domestic shorthair female has developed the habit of what sounds like teeth grinding / lip smacking in the last few months and has also developed chronic diarrhea.  Just a few days ago she began to make these grinding noises for several minutes and then vomit.  There was no food in the vomit and it was a very thick and clear viscous fluid, after she had vomited several times I immediately took her to the vet and he kept her overnight for observation and blood work (CBC/GHP), she was given fluid therapy, injections of antibiotics and dex.  He also decided to x-ray her stomach but found nothing unusual. I brought her home and she was fine for one day, no more grinding / lip smacking but today she is back at it minus the vomiting but still has diarrhea.  I was told to give her 1/2 a Pepcid AC 10mg tablet but it has had no effect.  She seems to be fine and is eating normally but the noise she makes is concerning me and she is doing it quite frequently today, It almost seems as if she is grinding / lip smacking in order to make herself vomit.  Please any help would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Ed,

Remember, I am not a vet, but I would suspect a gingivitis or stomatitis problem in the mouth.  Did your vet check her teeth and gums?  Another possibility may be a mild pancreatitis, which is easily treatable using something called viokase <sp?>.

Just some thoughts.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes the Vet did check her mouth and mentioned some tartar but It was nothing he was alarmed about.  Would the blood tests she was given show the possibility of pancreatitis or is there a different test for that?

Answer
Ed,

I do not know how to diagnose for pancreatitis, per se.  However, the blood work should show the white cell count which, if elevated, is a sign of infection.  Along with the throwing up and diarrhea, that sometimes indicates pancreatitis.  However, blood work can show other things which may she some light on the situation.

Diarrhea can be hard to nail down and I am surprised he did not ask for a stool sample.  


Please let me know what you find.

Best regards... Norm.