Canine Pancreatic Disease

Function

• The canine pancreas functions in two ways. The exocrine, or out flowing, function of the pancreas gland allows for the secretion of enzymes into the animals digestive system to aid in the digestion of nutrients, to neutralize stomach acids and to inhibit overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the small intestine. The endocrine function is responsible for creating insulin hormone inside the pancreas to regulate glucose concentration in the dog's body. Any disturbance of these two functions will create disease.

Diseases/Symptoms

• Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that results when the digestive secretions turn inward to the pancreatic tissue and begin destroying it. Seen often in obese dogs, it commonly occurs when the animal overeats a fatty meal and begins uncontrollable vomiting. They can develop diarrhea, have signs of abdominal pain and become feverish, go into shock and collapse.

  Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, can result from chronic pancreatitis. At some point, the pancreas may stop producing digestive enzymes, and the dog is no longer able to get needed nutrients from its food. Symptoms include a noticeable weight loss with an increased appetite. The animal may start eating inappropriate materials, including soil and its own feces, and may have diarrhea or gray, fatty stools with excessive flatulence.

  Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, or the animal's body tissues become resistant to the action of the insulin. Glucose levels in the blood become elevated and the dog's body, which normally converts glucose into energy, begins eating its own fat cells, while excess glucose passes out of the body in the urine. Diabetic dogs often show a marked weight loss with increased appetite, may become dehydrated, drink and urinate excessively and can suddenly develop cataracts.

Prevention/Solution

• Pancreatic disease in dogs can be prevented if owners follow simple protocols--feed the animal a high-fiber, low-fat diet; make sure regular exercise is included in its daily routine; and never feed table scraps that are usually high in fats and carbs.

  If a veterinarian diagnoses a dog with any of these diseases, treatment will vary. Dogs with pancreatitis and EPI will usually need to be hospitalized so they can be hydrated with intravenous fluids and electrolytes. EPI dogs may be placed on a low-fiber diet supplemented with digestive enzymes. Dogs with pancreatitis are commonly not fed for 3 to 4 days and then will usually go on a low-fat dietary plan after vomiting stops. Both diseases are also usually treated with antibiotics to stop the diarrhea.

  Animals with diabetes will be placed on insulin therapy, usually twice-a-day injections. They will need their blood glucose levels checked periodically by the veterinarian, and they are often restricted to high-fiber, complex carbohydrate diets, thus avoiding spikes in glucose levels after eating.

Considerations

• Pancreatitis can become a chronic disease, so the animal's diet must be monitored closely, and the owner needs to watch for recurring symptoms. EPI and diabetes are irreversible and will require lifelong care. With EPI, enzyme supplements will need to be given with every meal. Owners of diabetic dogs will need to learn how to give insulin injections at home and how to watch for signs of insulin shock.

Warning

• Pancreatic diseases in dogs can be considered veterinary emergencies. The prognosis for most animals with these issues is usually favorable if they receive prompt veterinary care.