Pancreatitis in Dogs
Pancreatitis in dogs generally is a painful, serious canine disease
that can crop up all of a sudden. Although the exact cause of this
condition remains unknown, it appears to be most common in middle-aged
pooches, probably more in females as compared to males, which are
overweight and usually follows a high-fat diet.
For some dogs, an attack can occur rapidly as a result of eating
table scraps or very fatty foods. Veterinarians often report increased
cases of acute pancreatitis around the holidays, when people unknowingly
feed their dog special treats from the holiday meal, like turkey skin
or sweets. However, not all cases are a result of poor diet, as genetics
seems to also play a role in its development.
Understanding the Basics
· The pancreas. The pancreas is a large, elongated
gland in the body that is found between the upper small intestine,
kidneys, liver, spleen, and stomach. One of the pancreas’ major
functions is the secretion of digestive enzymes as well as other
essential substances necessary for digestion. Pancreatitis occurs when
there is a swelling and inflammation of the organ. The condition is
linked to the activation of certain digestive enzymes that lead to the
injury to the pancreas itself, and sometimes, even to its adjacent
organs in the abdomen.
· The symptoms. Clinical signs of pancreatitis
normally include vomiting, oftentimes profuse; lack of appetite or
refusal to eat; lack of thirst or refusal to drink; weight loss;
depression; weakness; lethargy; abdominal pain, usually severe and
sudden; diarrhea; dehydration; and/or tucked up belly. Once the disease
has progressed, the following indicators can be observed: abnormal stool
consistency and color; fever; swollen abdomen; heart arrhythmias;
difficulty breathing; shock; systemic infection, inflammation of the
other organs that surround the pancreas; and/or internal hemorrhage.
Since pancreatitis in dogs can be very serious, it requires immediate
vet attention.
Treatment Options
Most cases of pancreatitis in dogs are treated by means of
withholding the pet’s oral food and water, along with intravenous fluid
in order to maintain the electrolyte balance and normal fluid in the
dog’s body. Anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anti-emetics, and pain
killers may also be prescribed to manage the symptoms of the disease. If
shock is present, other treatments may be provided. Sadly, pooches that
show shock are often at risk of death, despite the aggressive forms of
treatment.
When vomiting is no longer present, the patient can be given little
amounts of fluids. If he can keep the liquids down, small amount of low
protein, low fat diet may be offered. Some dogs with pancreatitis,
however, may have to be hospitalized for several days before they can be
sent back home.
Possible Long Term Problems
Although most dogs with pancreatitis may recover without any
long-term effect, there are still some cases in which the dog may
continue showing recurrent bouts of the condition, commonly referred to
as chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. These dogs usually require a
specific medical diet to minimize the recurrence rate. Nevertheless, if a
substantial amount of pancreatic cells have been destroyed; inadequate
digestive enzymes might be produced resulting in continuing digestive
problems. Dogs experiencing this digestive difficulty may have to be
medicated with each meal in order to prevent diarrhea and weight loss.
In addition, since the pancreas is also the site of the production of
insulin, if a great number of these cells is being destroyed, the
patient may develop diabetes.
The very best way to prevent pancreatitis in your dog is to provide a
healthy, low fat, balanced diet and plenty of regular exercise.
Further, if you’re adopting a dog from a breeder, make sure that the
other dogs in the breeding line have not developed this condition, as
genetics do play a role.
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