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The pancreas is an organ that produces, stores, and releases digestive enzymes. Unfortunately, this also poses the risk of the organ beginning to digest itself, leading to severe pancreatic inflammation known as pancreatitis in dogs. In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about this condition.
The danger of pancreatitis in dogs depends on its severity. Mild cases typically come with mild symptoms, whereas severe cases can be life-threatening for your feline friend.
If a dog develops chronic pancreatitis, it generally requires lifelong treatment.
Symptoms: Key Signs to Watch Out For
Pancreatic inflammation in dogs can manifest in various ways. Mild forms often present with nonspecific symptoms like loss of appetite or restlessness.
For acute pancreatitis, you may observe the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Fever
Weakness
Dehydration
The pancreas is located at the front of the dog’s abdomen. Dogs experiencing pain in this area often assume the prayer position: the front of the body is on the ground while the hind legs remain standing. Though it may resemble a stretching pose, dogs stay in this position to relieve the pain.
Additionally, pancreatitis can affect other organs like the liver, heart or kidneys.
For chronic pancreatitis, common symptoms include:
Dogs in abdominal pain often adopt the prayer position (front body down, hind legs standing) to ease discomfort near the pancreas
Diagnosing Pancreatitis in Dogs
Diagnosing pancreatitis involves several steps. The vet will perform a clinical examination and blood tests that offer vital clues. An elevated canine-specific pancreatic lipase (cPLI) level indicates a likely pancreatic inflammation.
Rapid tests for severe pancreatitis are now available and can be conducted at the vet’s office, providing results in minutes.
Ultrasound can aid the diagnosis, and X-rays help rule out other conditions. A definitive diagnosis requires histological examination of pancreatic tissue, but this needs general anaesthesia which is risky for severe cases of pancreatitis.
Treatment: Managing Pancreatitis in Dogs
Treating pancreatitis involves several strategies.
Fluid Therapy
Dogs with pancreatitis are often dehydrated (dehydrated) due to vomiting and diarrhoea. The vet can correct this with intravenous fluids. However, a hospital stay is usually necessary for your feline friend.
Pain Management
Pancreatic inflammation is extremely painful, requiring pain relief as a crucial part of the treatment.
Diet
Once the dog stops vomiting, it can be offered water and food. Contrary to earlier beliefs, withholding food and water is not beneficial.
The disease is very draining, so the dog needs energy to recover. A highly digestible, carbohydrate- and protein-rich, low-fat diet in small portions is recommended.
In the initial phase of acute pancreatitis, the dog often refuses to eat. If this happens, the vet might have to insert a feeding tube.
Note: Choosing the right dietary food can support your dog’s natural bodily functions. However, dietary foods neither cure nor prevent diseases. Always consult your vet about your dog’s diet. Find special dietary foods at zooplus online store.
Regular Check-Ups
Dogs with pancreatitis need regular blood tests to monitor their condition. Ultrasound check-ups are also highly useful. In severe cases, the vet must also monitor and manage other affected organs.
Prognosis: What are the Chances of Recovery from Pancreatitis?
The recovery outlook depends on the severity of the inflammation. Mild cases tend to have a good prognosis. However, even a mild pancreatitis can become severe, so regular check-ups are essential.
Severe pancreatitis can be life-threatening, particularly if other organs are affected, often leading to complications.
Causes: What Leads to Pancreatic Inflammation in Dogs?
The pancreas produces, stores, and releases digestive enzymes, which can become harmful to the pancreas itself. Typically, the pancreas has mechanisms to protect itself from self-digestion. When these protections fail, inflammation occurs.
Various factors can trigger pancreatitis in dogs:
High-fat meals
Overweight
High blood lipid levels
Accidents
Circulatory problems (during anaesthesia or shock)
Certain medications (e.g. corticosteroids or antibiotics)
Often, the vet cannot determine the exact cause of pancreatitis, which is then referred to as idiopathic pancreatitis.
Prevention: How to Avoid Pancreatic Inflammation in Dogs?
Prevention can be challenging, as the triggers for pancreatitis are often unknown or unavoidable. However, some risk factors like high-fat meals and overweight should be avoided. Choose food with moderate fat and adjust portion sizes to meet your dog’s needs.
Important Note: The content provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet's health, please always consult a licensed veterinarian.
Franziska G., Veterinarian
At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene.
Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future.
Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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