Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located near the liver and duodenum that is responsible for the production of insulin and other digestive enzymes. This inflammation occurs when the pancreas has been disturbed, either by trauma or by disease, and the digestive enzymes begin to attack it. Because of the wide range of causes, pancreatitis is usually defined as being chronic or acute.
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History
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In many cases of acute pancreatitis, the cause is unknown. Many cases are attributed to eating meals with high fat content. Dogs that are regularly fed table scraps have a greater chance of developing acute pancreatitis. Other causes include medications such as asparagines and eazathioprine and genetic predispositions in certain breeds. In acute cases of pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas that normally become active after reaching the small intestine become active while still in the pancreas. The severity of the disease depends on the volume of enzymes that have been prematurely activated.
Symptoms
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The hallmark symptom of pancreatitis is vomiting. Dogs experiencing pancreatitis are unable to eat or drink without vomiting and often exhibit classic signs of abdominal pain, such as yelping when touched, lethargy and a stiff, hunched-over gait.
Treatment
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Treatment for pancreatitis includes hospitalization, intravenous fluid therapy, antiemetic injections (to stop vomiting), pain control injections and antibiotic injections to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Improvement should be evident within 24 to 48 hours of treatment, with most dogs being discharged after a few days.
Recovery
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The recovery rate for most dogs experiencing a single bout of pancreatitis is good. Most dogs with no underlying health conditions recover fully within a week, though precautions should be made to prevent a recurrence by feeding the dog a low-fat diet and making sure he gets plenty of exercise. Dogs that have experienced chronic pancreatitis should follow strict dietary guidelines and medication protocols; chronically afflicted dogs can become debilitated and possibly succumb to the disease.
Considerations
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Dogs with a genetic predisposition to developing pancreatitis should be evaluated by a veterinarian when exhibiting symptoms of vomiting and pain. The sooner treatment is begun, the better chance the dog has to recover without complications.
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