Canine Pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an abdominal organ needed for the digestion of food. It is attached to the first part of the intestine below the stomach.
Functions of the pancreas include controlling the blood sugar level as well as producing chemicals needed to help break down food into products the body can use.
The healthy pancreas produces potent “enzymes” to help in the digestion of food--but when pancreatitis occurs, these same enzymes can begin to destroy the pancreas itself. This causes severe abdominal pain and discomfort.
Pancreatic attacks can be caused by various infections, traumatic injury (such as automobile accidents), or improper diets causing the pancreas to overwork.
In mild cases, recovery may occur in a few days with proper treatment.
In severe cases, the tissue of the pancreas is damaged badly, allowing the digestive juices present to leak out into the abdomen and irritate other abdominal organs. This causes great pain and inflammation. Bacterial infection often causes even more serious problems.
Acute shock and even death can result from damage done by acute pancreatitis.
Animals that develop pancreatitis often have a history of being over-weight, exposed to garbage, or fed fatty foods.
Symptoms Of Acute Pancreatitis:
Signs may include
- loss of appetite,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- restlessness,
- acute intense abdominal pain,
- and possibly abdominal distention.
Diagnosis Of Acute Pancreatitis:
Diagnosis is made by history, clinical signs seen on physical examination, radiographs (x-rays), and blood tests.
Treatment Of Acute Pancreatitis:
Treatment of acute pancreatitis will vary depending on your dog's symptoms.
Your dog may need to receive fluid therapy to combat dehydration, as well as medications to control symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and pain.
Antibiotics may be necessary to control bacterial infections.
Your dog's veterinarian may advise supporting your dog's nutritional needs with medications and avoid feeding your dog for a time to allow the pancreas time to mend.
When your dog has recovered from the initial symptoms of pancreatitis, your dog's veterinarian may advise placing your dog on a special diet to prevent future recurrences.
Recurrence is common. It is very important that you prevent access to foods that might lead to another attack. Low-fat diets may be required for the rest of your dog’s life to avoid problems.
Diet control is the key to avoiding future attacks. Your dog's veterinarian will help you plan a proper dietary regimen for your dog.
Severe scarring of the pancreas can lead to other problems such as liver diseases, diabetes, and inability to properly digest food. If enough of the pancreas has been destroyed, daily food supplementation with digestive enzymes may be needed to insure that your dog can digest food sufficiently to maintain a healthy body.
Early diagnosis and treatment followed by conscientious home care will give your dog the best chance of recovery.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Repeated attacks of "acute pancreatitis" may result in scarring and permanent damage to the pancreas, preventing the pancreas from being able to produce sufficient digestive enzymes to allow proper food digestion and resulting in chronic pancreatits. Repeated attacks may also result in the pancreas being unable to secrete insulin in proper amounts to adequately regulate the blood sugar level, resulting in diabetes.
Signs of chronic pancreatitis include:
- abnormal stools,
- weight loss while your dog continues to eat well,
- chronic vomiting,
- and flatulence (gas).
Stool volume often is increased, greasy, and discolored.
Diets high in protein and carbohydrates, but low in fat are required to control the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis.
The supplementation of digestive enzymes may also be required for the rest of your dog's life to assist your dog in digestion.
Response to treatment will vary with the extent of permanent damage done to the pancreas.
