Pancreatitis in dogs can be a life-threatening condition, so it’s critical to get your pup to the veterinarian as soon as you observe vomiting or other signs of pancreatitis. The sooner they start treatment, the greater their chances are of saving your pup’s life!
Pancreatitis can be predisposed to certain breeds, a high-fat diet, and certain medications. For instance, the miniature schnauzer breed has been known to have issues with hyperlipidemia (high blood triglycerides). Furthermore, older dogs, obese dogs, and those taking medications for cancer or other conditions may also be at risk.
Pancreatitis acute is characterized by an unexpected outbreak of inflammation in the pancreas. This inflammation can spread throughout the body and lead to serious organ damage. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, but other signs include nausea, vomiting, fever, and unusual hunched postures.
Pancreatitis can be diagnosed by a veterinarian based on clinical signs from physical examination and blood tests. This may be done with either an insensitive blood test or more sensitive tests like the canine Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity assay which measures pancreatic enzyme levels.
If a positive cPLI is identified, your veterinarian should conduct an ultrasound of the abdomen. Ultrasound scanning can detect abnormalities in the pancreas and surrounding organs like the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines as well as any injuries or anomalies causing your dog’s symptoms.
Treating Pancreatitis
The treatment of canine pancreatitis aims to provide your pet with comfort and minimize clinical signs until the condition improves. This may involve administering fluids via injection and medications for vomiting and pain control.
Some cases of pancreatitis can be treated at home with medication or dietary modification, but others require hospitalization for several days. In severe cases, some dogs may even require admission into an intensive care unit for further care and monitoring.
Pancreatitis in dogs often resolves with supportive care and proper dietary management. Unfortunately, if the condition recurs or becomes chronic in nature, it could pose long-term health risks.
Dietary changes that can help prevent or reduce pancreatitis in dogs include avoiding high-fat table scraps, opting for a moderate or low-fat diet, and supplementing with probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids. Doing this reduces the amount of fat absorbed from his food intake and may slow down or prevent pancreatitis symptoms altogether.
Veterinarian nutritionists often recommend feeding small amounts of food during an episode of pancreatitis, which has been proven beneficial in preventing the breakdown of gastrointestinal tract tissue that occurs when a dog goes without food.
Pancreatitis has no known cure, but most affected pets will make a full recovery with proper veterinary and nursing care. However, even then the prognosis depends on the severity of the case as well as other complicating factors.
