What are Pancreatitis?
Documentation has shown that pancreatitis typically affects dogs who are over the age of five. Many of the dogs who get this disease are obese or overweight. Miniature Schnauzers seem to be especially predisposed to pancreatitis though studies have shown that Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, Dachshunds, and Cocker Spaniels commonly become afflicted with the illness. The disease can prove fatal if left untreated.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ close to the stomach. The pancreas produces enzymes that aid in food digestion and hormone regulation. When pancreatitis occurs, it is because the enzymes have prematurely become activated while still in the pancreas, instead of in the digestive system where normal activity takes place. Inflammation of the pancreas can result in secondary damage to other organs of the body.Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Symptoms will vary tremendously depending on the severity of the pancreatitis. Because the condition can rapidly deteriorate, a veterinary visit is imperative if your dog is showing any of the following signs.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Appetite reduction
- Depression
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Increased heart rate
- Shock
- Collapse
Types
Pancreatitis can be classified in two ways.
- Acute pancreatitis
- This is the more common form of pancreatic inflammation in canines
- Several attacks can lead to the chronic form
- The acute case is often more easily treated
- Chronic pancreatitis
- This form can remain undiagnosed due to mild signs and nonspecific test results
- This leads to a continuous, progressive inflammation
- It can lead to irreversible damage
Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Treating your pet for pancreatitis is imperative because your canine family member may suffer greatly without a resolution. There are many underlying causes for pancreatitis, as well as a myriad of complications that can arise due to the illness.
- Pancreatic tumor
- Duct obstruction
- High level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)
- Obesity
- Blunt trauma
- Complication of surgery
- Toxins or infectious agents
- Consumption of a large amount of fatty food a short time, or ingestion of fatty substances from garbage
- Inability of the body to break down fats (hyperlipoproteinemia)
- Disruption of blood supply to the pancreas (ischemia)
- Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease)
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes mellitus
Diagnosis of Pancreatitis in Dogs
When you bring your furry family member to the clinic, the veterinarian will begin the consultation with a few questions. Be prepared to be as accurate as possible; all information is pertinent and useful. The veterinary caregiver will want to know specifically what type of food your dog typically eats, whether you feed him table scraps and if it is possible that he could have consumed something from a trash can. If you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance, inform the veterinarian right away.
A physical exam will be included in the first stage of the visit, and the veterinary caregiver could search for a palpable mass in the abdomen. Several testing procedures could be suggested.
- Tests like complete blood count, serum biochemistry and urinalysis are standard procedures that can help the veterinarian to explore the possibilities for your pet’s pain
- These tests can also rule out systemic causes or complications, such as elevated liver enzymes, hypoalbuminemia, electrolyte imbalances, or an increase in white blood cells
- A radiograph of the abdomen may be done; this can exclude potential causes such as an obstruction
- An ultrasound could show the presence of a mass or displacement of organs
- The pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test is very effective (accuracy of 80%); a high concentration will most often lead to a diagnosis of pancreatitis
- If the diagnosis is not yet clear, and your pet is in a stable condition, a fine needle aspiration or exploratory laparotomy may confirm the instance of abnormal cell behavior
Treatment of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Early intervention is key in bringing your canine companion back to good health. A mild case of pancreatitis can be followed up at home with a change to a low-fat diet and possible pancreatic enzyme supplementation.
In more severe instances of inflammation of the pancreas, hospitalization is needed. The treatment will center around the severity of the attack. If vomiting is a factor, then food and water most certainly will be needed to be withheld for a period of 3 to 4 days, in order to give the pancreas the opportunity to rest. In effect, allowing the pancreas a time of rest stops the enzyme activity that is inadvertently causing damage to the pancreas itself. If there is gastrointestinal bleeding, antacids will be administered.
The veterinary team will be keeping a close watch over your beloved pet during his hospital stay. Pancreatitis can rapidly worsen, making the close monitoring a necessity. Intravenous fluids (to replace the food and water), anti-nausea medication, and pain relief will all be part of the hospital treatment. There could be accompanying diseases that need to be attended to, such as hepatitis or irritable bowel disease both of which can go hand in hand with pancreatitis. Of course, in the case of a tumor, for example, surgery may be unavoidable.
Once the veterinarian feels that your canine family member is well enough to go home, she will discharge your pet with full instruction on the required home care needed.
Recovery of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Mild cases of pancreatitis have a favorable prognosis. If the episode is severe, the prognosis is more guarded because there can be systemic complications that crop up, and there is also the high risk of multiple organ failures.
A dog with a mild case of pancreatic inflammation will benefit from the lifetime management of his diet. Low fat, low protein food will be recommended. The veterinarian will have the appropriate food on hand; you need not worry about what you should feed your pet. The veterinary caregiver can advise you on the proper food for weight management (another important facet of pancreatic care), and for adequate nutritional intake.
A dog with chronic or recurring pancreatitis will need regular monitoring by the veterinarian. Ensuring a low-stress environment for your dog, the avoidance of medications known to aggravate his pancreas and the diligent care of any underlying disease will be crucial factors in maintaining your dog’s quality of life.
Pancreatitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
We were in an apartment complex that people did not clean up dog waste. Could this be a possible cause for pancreatitis if he repeatedly walked through? We had him treated, diagnosed and doing well however wondering if this could have been an underlying cause.
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Hello our dog is a King Charles spaniel who ingested human puppy chow and now has developed severe pancreatitis. He is in the veterinary hospital with elevated BUN and creatinine and his pancreatic enzymes are over 5100. He’s getting IV fluids, Not interested in food and is still lethargic. What are the chances of recovery, is he suffering, should I give the IV fluids more time.? Help. Thank you.
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Hi
Our dog Ruby is 6.5 years & has had Chronic Pancreatitis since her first severe episode around 4 Years ago... She has regular bouts of pain & vomiting despite Science ID diet with added cooked carrot. ...2 small feeds a day.
She is currently unwell again ... despite no changes in her diet. Vomiting & pain obvious by praying. I have 2 questions please?
Does emotional stress play a role in relapse? Has about 6 per year..
Would you have any idea of her Prognosis considering relapses please? I have read about scarring, necrosis etc..
Kind regards
W & Ruby
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Any type of stress may be a contributor to relapse of an episode of pancreatitis; we generally recommend dietary changes, low stress environment in addition to medical therapy (as required). Also, repeated episodes of pancreatitis may cause scarring and other injuries due to the inflammatory processes which occur. It is important to have Ruby seen regularly by her Veterinarian, frequency dictated by frequency of episodes and her general health. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
My 1 year old chihuahua/ jack Russell terrier has been feeling really sick she don't eat just drinks water we took her to the vet and they kept her for 2 days they had her on IV and we called the vet asking her how she was doing they said she was eating but I brought her home she didn't eat she just laid down.had to emotion to play and run around what can it be please help !!! 🙏🙏🙏
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My 5 year old Wheaten suddenly started vomiting repeatedly 3 weeks ago, and my vet did initial bloodwork and a plasma test that indicated possible pancreatitis. Even on Serenia she refuses to eat more than half a normal amount, and must be hand fed/forced to eat. She is frequently "urpy" - that nauseated action before dry heaving- after naps or meals, and pants / dry heaves about every other day. A week ago, her nausea was so bad she ate a sock when my back was turned... she had stomach surgery this past Monday that went well. However she is now even more nauseated and in more pain and actively vomiting for the last 3 days. She's back in the hospital and they think it's constipation and pancreatitis worsened by the surgery. She's on Reglan, gabapentin, and Serenia and none are helping.
She is in such severe pain I can't stand to see her suffer. Is there anything else I should try? How long should I give her to recover before I consider putting her to sleep?
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There are various different approaches to the treatment of pancreatitis; but the main course of treatment is supportive care with fluids and medications for symptomatic care (like antiemetics for vomiting). Some treatment plans suggest that a nil by mouth approach is made for a few days with purely supportive care before introducing food. At this point, it is a case of seeing where the condition takes Stella and your Veterinarian will treat accordingly; unfortunately there is no single ‘one fits all’ treatment for pancreatitis and is treated on a case by case basis. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/the-exocrine-pancreas/pancreatitis-in-small-animals
Hi Stella's Owner, reading your Story with sadness .. Our dog Ruby is 6 & has chronic pancreatitis following a Acute severe attack @ age 2 which she luckily survived. She is unwell again.
Wondering how Stella is ?
Regards
W
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My coonhound is 13..he has a bad case of pancreatitis. His sugar levels are high and they are giving him ampicillin iv famodidine nph insulin.belly is distended and hes in pain also being treated thru his iv.
He had been on diatrim 960 and vetprofen for 25 days before he got ill monday..hes been at the vet 2 days. They assist him walking hes very weak
Will he have any quality of life, cushings could be a factor he had skin issues and was given a steroid shot the diatrim and vetprofen, hes been overweight about a year at 87 lbs, he also had issues with arthritis..i dont want him in pain, should i stop treatment and let him go?
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Deciding whether to allow your loved one to pass in order to relieve their pain is the one most difficult part of owning a pet. I cannot really weigh in as I haven’t personally examined Jack; a discussion has to be made with your Veterinarian about Jack’s condition and you need to step back and look at his overall quality of life, when you look at him do you still see Jack? Many people have concerns and are hesitant about euthanasia, but I never saw anyone who regretted it afterwards. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Hello Jack's Owner
Also reading your Story... Am so Sorry that he sounds so very unwell 😥 Please can you tell if you made a decision? Our previous Dog Charlie was so unwell with Cushings & I had to make the very sad & difficult decision to let him go.. I feel your pain 💜
Warm regards
W
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In March my dog was diagnosed with Pancreatitis. I am having a hard time finding things he will eat.
I have tried several prescription foods but he will not eat those.
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Dogs diagnosed with pancreatitis require to be fed a low fat, highly digestible diet; there are many different commercial diets available, however it may be a case of speaking with a Nutritionist to get a tailored diet which Dakota would find apetitising. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
My dog was treated overnight at the vet on Wednesday. I brought him home on Thursday afternoon and he inhaled the food the vet gave us (Science Diet I/d). My dog is on 5 different medications for pancreatitis. He still does not want to eat. He ate his food last night but we had to entice him to eat it. He are a little bit this morning. I gave him the meds, three of which are to be given with food. I'm worried:(
My 3 year old chihuahua just passed away after surgery yesterday. What I need to know is how my vet was able to misdiagnosed her with pancreatitis after 2 visits?? She had bloodwork done the second time n the vet sent her back home with more meds. I took her back a 3rd time after she had refused to eat for 2 weeks now. I asked for iv n xray.. since at this point only bloodwork n meds has been given. But it turns out she had swallowed some strings n damaged her intestines. Was my vet being negligent? And worst was surgery even an option since she was so weak she can barely walk?
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Ringo
Boxer Pit Mix
12 Years
I have a question my neighbors dog has been diagnosed woth pancreatitis and she is blaming it on me amd my husband becaise we throw slop out side bc there are a million cats tjay rome around outside, but she did so as well. So am i the reason her 13 yearold dog is havong these problems?