Pancreatitis in Dogs: What You Should Know

By May 7, 2022 Dog Diet, Dog Diseases, Dog Health, Dog Nutrition, Hormonal Support, Supplements for Dogs 0 Comments

Pancreatitis in Dogs: What You Should Know

Pancreatitis in dogs is a condition that pet owners should be aware of before it occurs since the warning signals may not always be visible at first. The symptoms may be misinterpreted as something less severe, even though it is potentially fatal.

Pancreatitis is described as “inflammation of the pancreas” in medical terms. But, like with other major diseases, there’s more which we can add.

A suspected case of pancreatitis should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible since it is harmful and should not be treated at home. Like with other medical difficulties, even the finest internet resource is no substitute for medical advice from your veterinarian.

Before we go into the specifics of pancreatitis, let’s eliminate the “itis” and focus on this small but crucial organ itself.

Table of Contents

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How the Pancreas Functions

We swallow food after chewing it into a slurry. It passes via the esophagus and into the stomach. It is further ground, and enzymes are added to start the breakdown of nutritional elements (digestion). Food particles that are tiny enough are driven into the small intestine for additional digestion and, eventually, nutritional absorption.

The top section of the small intestine (the duodenum) is used to further digestion and breakdown nutrients. In contrast, the lower regions of the small intestine are used to absorb the nutrients that have been digested.

The pancreas is a small, light pink glandular organ located right under the stomach and along with the duodenum. The pancreas is a glandular organ for secretion and has two primary functions.

The pancreas’ endocrine role includes insulin synthesis, released into the bloodstream in response to carbohydrate and protein consumption.

The exocrine function entails the release of dormant digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the colon, where they are activated to aid in the digestion of ingested nutrients.

What Is Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Doctors use the word pancreatitis to describe the inflammation of the pancreas. When anything “makes the pancreas angry,” it inflames, resulting in this disease.

Digestive hormones are released within the pancreas rather than in the small intestine when the pancreas is furious. These digestive enzymes promote pancreatic inflammation and infection. They may even form abscesses inside the organ, killing off sections of the organ.

Abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and a lack of appetite result from all of this. Because inflammation in the pancreas causes inflammation in other body regions, such as the lungs, blood systems, and cardiovascular system, severe pancreatitis may be fatal.

What Causes Pancreatitis in Dogs?

A dog diagnosed with pancreatitis typically has a history of eating a high-fat meal or getting into the garbage. Pancreatitis may be caused by many types of factors.

However, the mentioned one is not the most prevalent. In actuality, idiopathic causes of canine pancreatitis (cannot be determined) account for 90 percent of the time.

Are Some Dogs Predisposed to Pancreatitis?

Some breeds, as well as dogs receiving specific drugs, are more likely to develop pancreatitis. For example, miniature Schnauzers are considered susceptible because of their penchant for high blood triglyceride levels.

The English Cocker Spaniel is another example. Immune-mediated disorders caused by aberrant immune system activity are more common in this breed than in others. The immune system attacking the pancreas is not an exception.

Medications known to induce pancreatic inflammation include, but are not limited to, some chemotherapeutic drugs and antibiotics.

What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Pancreatitis may be a short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) condition.

A dog with acute pancreatitis will show more significant symptoms, such as:

  • Severe sluggishness;
  • Pain in the abdomen;
  • Constant vomiting;
  • Severe dehydration;
  • Shock and collapse (sometimes).

A dog with chronic pancreatitis is usually not as suffering like a dog with acute pancreatitis. The following are examples of clinical signs:

  • Lethargy;
  • Reduced appetite to the point of not eating at all;
  • Vomiting and / or abdominal discomfort.

Chronic pancreatitis in dogs is less prevalent than the acute one. Dogs with chronic pancreatitis may have a rapid deterioration of their condition. Acute pancreatitis is also a condition in which chronic pancreatitis manifests itself.

How Do Vets Diagnose Pancreatitis in Dogs?

To diagnose pancreatitis, your veterinarian will use a mix of your dog’s medical history, physical examination results, and laboratory testing. Prepare to talk about any symptoms you’re seeing at home, how long the problem has been going on, dog food changes, medicines, other health issues, etc.

A comprehensive physical examination, including vital signs, will be performed by your veterinarian. They will propose laboratory tests based on your dog’s medical history and physical exam results.

A complete blood cell count of red and white blood cells, serum chemistry to examine internal organ function, and urinalysis to check kidney function are standard laboratory tests used to detect pancreatitis.

Additional pancreas-specific blood tests, such as serum lipase and amylase, and serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, may be ordered. These are typically done at the hospital where your veterinarian works, and the findings are usually ready the next day.

Abdominal imaging investigations, like as radiography or abdominal ultrasounds, may be recommended by your veterinarian to assess the pancreas and search for any additional abnormalities, such as clogged bile ducts, tumors, and pancreatic abscesses, or abdominal fluid.

How to Treat Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Whether the patient has acute or chronic pancreatitis, the treatment is supportive.

Severe Pancreatitis in Dogs

Acute pancreatitis patients often need more intensive medical intervention and therapy. These patients usually need many days, if not weeks, of treatment, which may include:

  • Intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement;
  • Pain-relieving techniques;
  • Anti-nausea medication (s);
  • Medicines that protect the stomach;
  • A feeding tube to provide nutritional assistance;
  • Antibiotics (sometimes).

Patients with severe pancreatitis are typically in a painful condition. They should be treated in a specialized setting, such as an intensive 24-hour care center. The cost of the treatment for pancreatitis in dogs are anticipated to be between $2,000 – $5,000, although this might vary depending on your residence.

Moderate to Mild Pancreatitis in Dogs

Patients with moderate or mild pancreatitis may be admitted to the hospital for several days to get intravenous fluid treatment for rehydration.

Your veterinarian may conclude that subcutaneous (under the skin) fluid administration — either at the appointment or at home — is sufficient for rehydration in a dog with moderate pancreatitis.

In most cases, these patients are additionally given:

  • Anti-nausea medicines;
  • A stomach-protecting substance (s);
  • Medication for pain relief;
  • During recovery, a bland, low-fat diet is advised (this might be a home-cooked and / or home-prepared meal).

Patients with mild to severe pancreatitis recover in one to two weeks. Because the treatment for these individuals differs, the cost varies as well. The price of being hospitalized for a few days might range from $1500 to $2500. The cost of treatment as an outpatient range from $500 to $1,000.

A permanent diet adjustment may be suggested in susceptible breeds (Schnauzers) or dogs with a history of pancreatitis.

What Is the Prognosis for Pancreatitis in Dogs?

The prognosis for pancreatitis in dogs is ultimately determined by the severity of the disease. A dog with severe pancreatitis has a poor to grave overall prognosis, which means he or she is more likely to die.

These individuals are at risk of dying due to a severe whole-body inflammatory illness that leads to multiple organ failures.

Another consequence of acute pancreatitis that raises the risk of death is the growth of a pancreatic abscess and peritonitis (abdominal cavity infection). It’s vital to remember that a dog that has recovered from a single episode of pancreatitis, or even many bouts of pancreatitis, may have substantial scarring inside the pancreatic tissue.

This may result in the development of diabetes mellitus and / or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). EPI is caused by the pancreas’ inability to generate adequate amounts of digesting enzymes.

What Can You Do to Help Prevent Pancreatitis?

We don’t always know why dogs acquire pancreatitis. Still, there are things you can do to reduce your dog’s risk of developing pancreatitis, including:

  • Feeding high-fat snacks, table scraps, or other fatty meals is not recommended. Choose the best food for dogs with pancreatitis and make an appropriate diet.
  • Work with your veterinarian to help your dog reduce weight if he or she is overweight or obese.
  • If your dog is an at-risk breed, stay away from medicines that might be a cause of pancreatitis in dogs.
  • Feed high-quality, low-fat dog food pancreatitis aligned with proven probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health. Only switch meals with your veterinarian’s permission. If you decide to make a move, do it cautiously and gradually introduce new foods over many days to ensure a seamless transition.
  • If your dog shows any of the symptoms of pancreatitis, contact your veterinarian right once.

The Takeaway

Pancreatitis is like that relative who just won’t leave: even when they’re gone, the idea of their return hovers in your mind. Unfortunately, once a dog has experienced pancreatitis, the chances of it happening again are significant.

A two-pronged method is your most excellent protection against the recurrent arrival of this unpleasant intruder. Keep an eye out for warning indicators and take control of what you can.

Do not allow your dog to grow fat. Rigorously follow your veterinarian’s pancreatitis dog food recommendations and, when necessary, provide your dog’s medicine.

The prognosis for mild instances of pancreatitis is typically favorable. Because of the risk of systemic problems, the forecast for severe patients is more cautious.

However, as a diligent, responsible, and most importantly, aware dog owner, you should know what you can do to lower your dog’s risk of pancreatitis. Detect it if it occurs, and treat it in the future.

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Image source: Wikimedia / Sendai Blog.

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