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 in order to receive appropriate treatment. Such a situation is not easy for any dog or its owner, so you should consult a vet immediately at the first symptoms to avoid a more serious course of the disease.

In the following, we would therefore like to inform you about this disease and its dangers: Find out what functions the pancreas performs, what happens during 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 small intestine. The organ fulfills two vital functions there: 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 of the organ digesting itself and causing pancreatitis. Normally, there are various protective mechanisms that protect against self-digestion. However, this protection can be breached under various circumstances, resulting in pancreatitis in your furry friend.

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

• Obesity
• 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, pancreatitis can affect dogs of any breed and any age.

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

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

In the case of acute pancreatitis with a mild course, the chances of recovery for your furry friend are good. However, if your four-legged friend 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 intensive care patients in the veterinary practice. They should initially be hospitalized and closely monitored, as their condition can deteriorate quickly. You can find out how dogs with pancreatitis are treated below.

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

If your dog is no longer vomiting, he can be offered water and food to help him regain his strength. An easily digestible and low-fat diet food is recommended, which should initially be fed in small quantities. 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 veterinarian.

Once your dog has pancreatitis, it should be fed a low-fat dog food for the rest of its life. After all, even the fat content of "normal" food could lead to renewed inflammation of the pancreas.

If your four-legged friend's pancreatitis is mild, it will improve after just a few days. If it is severe, the hospital stay may take longer. In such cases, intensive care by the veterinary practice is essential. As you can see, the length of hospitalization depends heavily on the severity of the disease.

As you will have learned by now, pancreatitis is a serious disease that can lead to death in the worst case scenario. This is why 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 indeed possible.

You could start with the dog food by choosing a 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 requirements, is gluten-free and perfectly digestible, and the same applies to our wet food. With a balanced dog diet, you can also prevent your dog from becoming overweight, as well as the diseases that can be attributed to this.