Pancreatitis can be life threatening for dogs. It most likely will involve several days of hospitalization and intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration. It can be caused by any combination of a number of reasons. Certain medications, infections, metabolic disorder, obesity, trauma or following surgery may contribute to pancreatitis. If your dog has had pancreatitis in the past, he may be more likely to have it again. It may be necessary for your dog to be on a specific diet for the rest of his life to prevent recurrence.
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Medications
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Some medications such as sulfa drugs and chemotherapy drugs may be the cause of pancreatitis in your dog.
Infections
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Pancreatitis can be the result of a bacterial or viral infection.
Metabolic Disorders
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Hypothyroidism, diabetes, hyperlipidemia (too much lipid in the blood) and hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) can cause pancreatitis in your dog.
Obesity
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Obesity may put your dog at higher risk of pancreatitis. Often, dogs are obese because they are eating a high fat diet, get table scraps or are given greasy human food.
Trauma, Shock or Surgery
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Inflammation of the pancreas can result from being hit by a car or some other physical trauma. Pancreatitis in dogs can develop following surgery where the pancreas was involved.
Warning
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If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and depression, you should consult your physician for diagnosis. These are all symptoms of pancreatitis which can lead to a life-threatening condition. Severe pancreatitis left untreated can cause permanent damage.
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