Dog Pancreatitis
A More Common Disease
Among Middle-Aged Pets

Dog pancreatitis is a disease that is fairly commonplace. It can cause a lot of pain for the dog, (especially if it's acute) and the treatment can be life-long depending on the degree of the damage done, and expensive.

And just like many diseases that affect dogs, seeing a beloved pet suffer, is never easy. 

However, the important thing to remember is that there are recognizable signs to
be aware of and there are preventative measures that can help in protecting your lovable companion from suffering this painful condition.

But when prevention doesn't help and you find yourself dealing with a case of dog pancreatitis and the resulting veterinary bills, try not to become worried or stressed out.

There has been enough advancement in veterinary medicine to ensure that your pet has a good chance of a full recovery. But before we go there, let's take a look at what canine pancreatitis is, what the common symptoms are and how to prevent them.

So, What Is Dog Pancreatitis?

The pancreas basically has two functions: it produces enzymes needed for digestion and it produces hormones including insulin, necessary for the absorption and storage of sugar and amino acids.

Pancreatitis in dogs happens when the pancreas prematurely releases digestive enzymes, subsequently leading to inflammation. It can also cause leakage of these enzymes which may result in damage to surrounding organs.

Dog pancreatitis can either be as an acute form - coming and going quickly, or be a chronic condition that lasts a long time. Both are serious conditions and can be life-threatening for the dog, but when it is acute, it's sudden and intense and can be especially dangerous.

What Causes Dog Pancreatitis?

In majority of the cases, we don't know for sure. That's frustrating and scary, yes. But it happens. Some breeds are more susceptible to this disease than others. They include the Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Poodle, and Miniature Schnauzer.

However, there are a lot of other risk factors that may contribute to making your pet more prone to the disease.

So take a look at this checklist and ensure that your pet is in the safe zone. It's all you can do!

While overweight, middle-aged dogs and some dog breeds are more prone to the disease, these risk factors contribute significantly to your pet's chances of developing pancreatitis, so make sure you know this list by heart and steer clear of all the danger signs.

How Can You Tell It Is Pancreatitis?

Some symptoms are common to dog pancreatitis, but there is no reason to get unnecessarily anxious should your dog display one or more of the symptoms.

These symptoms are also common to several other everyday infections and illnesses, so don't jump to any conclusions right away.  Take time and observe.

These symptoms include:

If your dog is showing signs of one or more of these symptoms, keep a close eye on him for a while. If you have reason to believe that your dog has something more than the surface-level problem, take him to the vet right away and have him checked.

What happens next?

Your vet will go over your dog's history, put him through a thorough examination which will likely include some diagnostic lab tests as well as a blood test for lipase and amylase levels. Elevated levels of these digestive enzymes are associated with pancreatitis.

This information will enable him to rule out other medical conditions before before coming to a conclusion.

Okay, So If Your Dog Has Pancreatitis. Now What?

Treatment for canine pancreatitis is supportive - there isn't a quick-fix solution, but the recovery process involves supporting the dog while allowing the inflamed pancreas to heal on its own. This isn't as scary as it sounds, as healing does take place. But the process can be long and tedious.

Since the pancreas is inflamed, in order for it to fully heal, it has to be allowed to rest. Which means the dog will receive his nutrition and fluids by IV as opposed to ingesting them orally. This may be for 1-5 days or much longer depending on the severity of the condition.

It is highly possible that your vet will also recommend a different diet, one that's low in fat and high in fiber and this may continue as a life-long precaution to guard against another bout of pancreatitis.

As mentioned earlier, this is a condition that often shows up unannounced, so while we can take the necessary precautions, it's important to never beat yourself up for your dog's condition.

If your dog is diagnosed with pancreatitis, he's going to need your love and support through recovery and that means, you have to remain strong and positive!

One more important thing: While your dog can't tell you when he is feeling out of sorts, you can learn how to recognize early warning signs of dog diseases and what to do about them. I recommend owners obtain a copy of Veterinary Secrets, to help you do this. This valuable book, written by an holistic vet, contains information about numerous dog health issues, useful home remedies, as well as advice about which dog illnesses need a prompt consultation with a pet professional.

Resource for further information: Merck Veterinary

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