Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. This is a serious disease that can be acute or chronic in dogs. In some cases, the furry friend has to be hospitalized to receive appropriate treatment. Such a situation is not easy for any dog ​​or its owner, so you should see a vet immediately at the first symptoms to avoid a more serious course of the disease.

In the following, we would like to inform you about this disease and its dangers: Find out what functions the pancreas performs, what happens with pancreatitis, and much more about the diagnosis and treatment options.

The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen of your four-legged friend between the stomach and the small intestine. There, the organ performs two vital functions: firstly, it produces the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, and secondly, it produces digestive enzymes. However, these enzymes can be dangerous for the pancreas. There is a risk that the organ will digest itself, causing pancreatitis. Normally, there are various protective mechanisms that protect against self-digestion. However, various circumstances can breach this protection, causing your furry friend to develop pancreatitis.

There are several factors that can cause pancreatitis in your four-legged friend. These include:

• overweight
• certain medications
• diseases such as diabetes or Cushing's disease
• local circulatory disorders (for example in shock or under anesthesia)
• accidents

In addition, some dog breeds have a genetic predisposition to developing pancreatitis. These breeds include boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers and Collies. However, dogs of any breed and age can suffer from pancreatitis.

In dogs, pancreatitis usually manifests itself through lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. At first glance, these are very non-specific symptoms that can indicate all kinds of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis is therefore difficult in many cases.

In order to diagnose inflammation of the pancreas, the treating veterinarian must carry out several tests. First, the blood values ​​should be checked. If, for example, the canine pancreatic lipase is elevated, inflammation of the pancreas is very likely. An ultrasound examination can also verify the findings, while an X-ray examination can rule out other diseases.

If your pet has mild acute pancreatitis, the chances of recovery are good. However, if your pet suffers from chronic pancreatitis, lifelong treatment is usually necessary. In addition, the acute form can lead to systemic inflammation (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, SIRS), which can lead to fatal organ failure.

Dogs with acute pancreatitis are considered intensive care patients in veterinary practice. They should initially be admitted to hospital and monitored closely, as their condition can deteriorate quickly. You can find out how dogs with pancreatitis are treated below.

To treat pancreatitis in dogs, several measures must be taken. Since your furry friend usually suffers from diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration must first be prevented. To do this, your pet will receive an infusion. Since pancreatitis is extremely painful, treatment with painkillers is also an important aspect of therapy.

Once your dog has stopped vomiting, you can offer him water and food to help him regain his strength. We recommend an easily digestible, low-fat diet food, which should be fed in small amounts at first. It is best to choose a dog food that has been specially developed for dogs with pancreatitis. It is best to seek advice from your treating veterinarian.

Once your furry friend has pancreatitis, he should be fed a low-fat dog food for the rest of his life. After all, the fat content of “normal” food could lead to renewed inflammation of the pancreas.

If your four-legged friend's pancreatitis is mild, you will see an improvement after just a few days. If the condition is severe, the hospital stay may last longer. In such cases, intensive care from a veterinarian is essential. As you can see, the length of the hospital stay depends largely on the severity of the disease.

As you have now learned, pancreatitis is a serious disease that can, in the worst case, lead to death. Therefore, many dog ​​owners ask themselves whether they can reduce the risk of pancreatitis. If you look at the causes of the disease listed above, this is actually possible.

You could start with dog food by choosing food that optimally covers your dog's nutritional needs and is also easy to digest. You can find such food at VEGDOG. Our vegan dry food meets 100% of your dog's needs, is gluten-free and is easily digestible, the same applies to our wet food varieties . A balanced dog diet can also prevent your dog from becoming overweight, as well as the diseases that can be attributed to it.