Pancreatitis in dogs is a relatively common occurrence that can be triggered by various factors, not all of them accidental, unfortunately. It involves inflammation of a very important organ, the pancreas, and can affect animals of all breeds and ages, although older dogs and females seem to be more predisposed. Since it can have very serious consequences, it's crucial to recognize it and intervene as soon as possible when symptoms appear.
The pancreas is an organ in our body that has several very important functions. The pancreatic gland supports the digestive process and the regulation of blood sugar levels. It is located in the abdomen and attached to the digestive system.
The pancreas aids the digestion of food by secreting specific substances designed for food digestion.
The enzymes produced by the pancreas allow the food that has come from the stomach to be digested and broken down into basic elements such as proteins, amino acids, fats, essential fatty acids, starches, and simple sugars.
It is divided into three parts:
Head, the largest part, which is in close contact with the duodenum.
Body, the central part.
Tail, the thinnest part, which extends towards the spleen.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which, following the damaging action of its own digestive enzymes, loses its secretory capacity. The pathology manifests with very painful and sudden pains in the upper part of the abdomen.
It can be diagnosed in two distinct forms:
Acute pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis.
Yes, this condition can be fatal for your pet, and it has a very high mortality rate.
Not only that, even in cases of survival, this disease causes a lot of pain. Recurrences can occur frequently, and it can become chronic, thus transforming into a condition of permanent damage for the dog.
Acute pancreatitis in dogs is a condition that occurs when the pancreas starts producing active enzymes directly inside the gland, creating a state of severe inflammation and causing damage to the tissue that can have fatal consequences for the animal.
If the causes are unknown, or rather, if it is not possible to identify with certainty the particular event, we do know that there are triggering factors, for example:
Improper diet for the dog (excess fats, insufficient proteins, unsuitable foods)
Obesity
Administration of drugs
Indigestion
Ingestion of garbage
Cushing's syndrome (a condition due to prolonged exposure to cortisol)
Tumors
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism (a condition of underactivity of the thyroid gland resulting in reduced production of thyroid hormones and a consequent slowing of vital functions)
Hypercalcemia (excessively high levels of calcium in the blood)
The most common symptoms include:
Weight loss
Lack of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea (or yellow, oily stools)
General malaise
Lethargy
Acute abdominal pain
Dehydration, with abnormal thirst
Fever
Frequent urination
In severe cases, the following can occur:
Respiratory failure
Renal failure
Cardiac arrhythmias
Inflammation of surrounding organs
Internal bleeding
In addition to the symptoms, there is a particular factor that helps in detecting the presence of pancreatitis.
The dog assumes a specific posture, often stretching out on the front part of its body with its paws extended forward, in a pose known as the "prayer position in dogs."
In most cases, if a dog frequently adopts this position, it is an indication of this disease.
To diagnose acute pancreatitis, a series of general tests are necessary to assess the health of the dog and rule out other diseases with similar symptoms, such as diabetes mellitus or Cushing's syndrome.
The general tests include:
Complete blood count
Comprehensive biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Subsequently, specific tests aimed at detecting the presence of pancreatitis are carried out, specifically:
Measurement of lipase and/or so-called DGGR lipase
Canine Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity (cPLI) test
Serum Trypsin-like Immunoreactivity (TLI) test
Abdominal ultrasound
If the symptoms are moderate, the dog should be kept fasting from food and water and treated with intravenous fluid therapy and painkillers.
While prolonged fasting was previously favored, nowadays, a small amount of food may be administered to the animal if it shows hunger and if the clinical condition allows.
Treatment for pancreatitis is carried out in a veterinary clinic, and if symptoms subside within about 48 hours, there is a good chance that the animal can recover.
If the triggering cause is drug intake, the administration should be stopped. Controlled and low-fat feeding should then be followed.
However, if the symptoms already show cardiac abnormalities, neurological imbalances, and coagulation disorders, the dog might not survive.
Chronic pancreatitis occurs when a dog survives an episode of acute pancreatitis but sustains permanent and irreversible damage.
This condition can also lead to a different disease called pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas is unable to perform its function due to severe damage to much of the pancreatic tissue.
Pancreatic insufficiency renders the body incapable of digesting macronutrients, as pancreatic enzymes are not produced.
Recurring symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Abdominal swelling
Vomiting
Diarrhea or soft stools
Lethargy
General malaise
The diagnosis obviously occurs following the general and specific tests for pancreatitis.
This is to ensure that the patient is not suffering from other pathologies that can arise as an effect of chronic pancreatitis, such as diabetes.
Since we are talking about a chronic form that your pet will live with for life, the only treatment, or rather, the only way to manage the symptoms, is based on a change in diet. This involves a low-fat, high-quality protein diet.
Pancreatic enzymes may also be administered to support the diet.
Unfortunately, since the triggering causes are not always certain, what we can do to prevent pancreatitis is to pay close attention to the dog's diet.
Firstly, it's advisable to provide several small meals throughout the day to avoid overburdening the pancreas. Also, reduce daily calories to keep the dog lighter.
To simplify, instead of giving the animal the same calorie percentage you would give to an active dog, reduce it to the amount you would give to a dog that is always at rest.
Fats, all snacks outside of meals, sweet and salty foods – basically, everything that should not be given to dogs anyway – must be completely avoided.
If fresh, the food should be boiled and not raw. It's also better to avoid refined carbohydrates.
In the case of pancreatitis, dogs can be fed with specific kibble formulated for this condition. If you decide to provide a homemade diet, the ideal foods are:
Lean meats, including chicken, turkey, and beef (choose the leanest version if ground)
Carbohydrates such as rice, barley, oats, and potatoes
Vegetables like carrots, zucchini, green beans, pumpkin, etc.
Proteins should be the predominant part of the diet. Fat intake should not exceed 10% of the total. As a general rule, you can maintain the standard ratio (50% protein, 25% carbohydrates/starches – 25% vegetables).
Ideally, four meals a day should be given, with portions reduced below the normal caloric needs.
Although this disease can affect dogs of all breeds, some seem to be more predisposed:
Miniature Schnauzer
Cocker Spaniel
Poodles and Poodle mixes, all sizes
Bichon Frisé
Yorkshire Terrier
Labrador Retrievers
