Pancreatitis in dogs

Summary

What is pancreatitis in dogs? 

Pancreatitis in dogs or canine pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that lies alongside the stomach. It is an important part of the digestive system as it produces the enzymes needed to digest food properly. It also produces hormones such as insulin, which regulates blood sugar. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the flow of enzymes normally activated in the intestines is disrupted and they are activated in the pancreas instead.

Pancreatitis can be a mild to serious condition. Mild pancreatitis can usually be treated without any permanent injury to the animal’s organs. In serious cases, the activated enzymes in the pancreas can begin to invade the pancreatic tissue, causing it to die, with systemic infections resulting from movement of bacteria from the gut to the abdominal organs. The pancreatic enzymes then can also begin to invade and destruct other tissues and organs. If left untreated for an extended period of time, severe organ damage can occur, followed by brain damage, shock and possibly death.

The causes of pancreatitis vary and can include changes in diet or an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication. The condition can affect all breeds of dogs and cats, however there are a number of breeds that seem to be more susceptible to developing the condition.

There is currently no cure for the condition. Typically dogs with pancreatitis will need to be admitted to hospital for vets to address pain, nausea and dehydration, which will then hopefully allow the pancreas to recover.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Though it usually begins with being a little off food, vomiting and diarrhoea, pancreatitis can range from mild and self-limiting to life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs 

Pancreatitis can lead to a number of serious symptoms, depending on its severity. The symptoms of pancreatitis are not unique to this condition and the illness can often go overlooked or be misdiagnosed, allowing the condition to become more severe. In the later stages of pancreatitis, symptoms will be more serious. Fortunately, if these symptoms are identified early and veterinary care is sought immediately, pancreatitis will usually not cause permanent damage.

Among the more common symptoms are a sore or swollen abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and decreased appetite. If you notice any or all of these symptoms, see your vet for immediate assistance.

• Loss of appetite – If your dog isn’t showing the usual enthusiasm for their food this is a sure sign they’re not well. While a loss of appetite can suggest several possible illnesses, it is often associated with more serious conditions.
• Difficulty Breathing – If your dog’s pancreatitis becomes advanced, important organs can become inflamed and will cause the animal a great deal of pain and fatigue. Reluctance to exercise or move, a  depressed demeanour and abnormal breathing are all signs of serious illness.
• Abdominal pain – Tenderness around the belly is another sign of pancreatitis. If you hear groans or a whimper whilst gently pushing against your dog’s abdomen, it’s time to see the vet.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Some dogs show abdominal pain through lying in a ‘prayer position’ where their forelimbs are on the ground but their bottom is in the air. Dogs with abdominal pain tend to be uninterested in doing much and may seem restless and unable to get comfortable.

• Severe diarrhoea and vomiting – These can lead to dehydration if not carefully managed. If your dog has had soft or watery stool for more than a week, it could be a sign of a more serious illness. Dogs will vomit from time to time for a number of reasons. However, if you’re noticing that your dog is vomiting or retching more often than normal, pancreatitis could be the cause.

Diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs

Your vet will conduct some tests to first determine if your dog is indeed ill and whether or not they are suffering from any other conditions. Because the symptoms for pancreatitis are common to some other mild and more serious conditions, a thorough physical exam and blood tests will usually be carried out.

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Your vet will ask about your dog’s health history and will likely question you about the dog’s environment, their diet, as well as the level and type of exercise which is normal for them. For example, if your dog has recently enjoyed a particularly fatty diet, then this could point to pancreatitis. A physical examination will help to evaluate your dog’s hydration status, determine if they have signs of shock, abdominal pain/discomfort and potentially nausea.

A complete blood count is taken as well as a chemistry panel and urine test. These tests usually reveal and elevated white blood cell count, but this might be caused by some diseases other than pancreatitis. The blood levels of pancreatic enzymes may also be elevated; while this is very helpful in diagnosing pancreatitis, some dogs with the condition will show normal levels of these enzymes.

Another way to diagnose pancreatitis in dogs is to perform the canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test. The test is designed to pick up any signs of an increased level of the pancreatic lipase.

Further diagnosis tools include x-rays and ultrasounds. Also, a simple biopsy will produce a conclusive result, however they are not often performed.

Although these tests will help the veterinarian determine whether you dog does indeed have pancreatitis, often diagnosis is made by performing a simple but thorough physical examination, clinical signs and medical history.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Diagnosing pancreatitis may look different from patient to patient because of the severity of disease and wide variability in signs. The most helpful diagnostic tools for pancreatitis after the physical examination are a combination of blood test and abdominal ultrasound to gain information about and image the pancreas itself.

Treatment of pancreatitis in dogs

There is no cure as such for pancreatitis, but the condition can be managed successfully if there is early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Therapy may be required for several of problems within the animal’s body, including infection, dehydration, malnutrition and pain.

In the case of mild pancreatitis, treatment will be supportive, by resting the pancreas and allowing it to heal itself, with the support of intravenous fluids to help support blood circulation to the pancreas. Bland, low-fat food may be offered in hospital once anti-nausea medication is on-board to help provide nutrition to the cells lining the intestines.

If your dog is diagnosed with more severe pancreatitis, he will most likely be admitted to hospital for close observation and advanced care. It’s likely that he will stay for around two to four days, although in some cases it can be much longer.

The aim of hospitalisation is to make the affected animal feel comfortable and stress-free while treatments can be administered intravenously. The following treatments may be given, depending on the severity of the condition:

• Analgesics  to control pain
• Intravenous fluids  to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Medications to control vomiting or diarrhoea
• Antibiotics if concurrent infection is suspected
• Intensive care using aggressive doses of intravenous fluids and medications to counteract systemic shock.

Once any inflammation to the pancreas and surrounding organs is addressed, the pancreas will usually heal itself after a number of days to weeks. Surgery is rare in the case of pancreatitis but associated conditions that may require surgery include bile duct obstruction, inflammation of the abdominal cavity and pancreatic abscess.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Patients with pancreatitis may be ready to be discharged from hospital once they are adequately rehydrated, eating again, have no or minimal ongoing diarrhoea and appear more comfortable in the abdomen. From there patients can be managed with bland food and potentially some oral pain relief as needed while they continue their full recovery at home.

Prognosis

In most cases, pancreatitis is a mild condition and the dog is likely to make a full recovery. Once the animal has spent a few days in hospital under observation, it’s likely that he will be returned to you without any serious lasting effects.

However, if the condition isn’t diagnosed early and it becomes severe, treatment options are more limited.

Because it is difficult to predict the costs of veterinary care, it can help to have measures in place to help prepare for the unexpected. Pet insurance can help by covering a portion of the eligible vet bill if the unexpected does happen.

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Prevention of pancreatitis in dogs

Although it’s not entirely clear what causes the onset of pancreatitis in dogs and cats, vets believe that fatty diets, dietary indiscretion and over feeding have some role to play. Some drugs seem to be associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis. Dogs that have had an episode of pancreatitis before are typically then maintained on low fat diets to help reduce recurrence.

To prevent the onset of pancreatitis, vets suggest that obese dogs be put on a strict diet that excludes unnecessary fatty components and treats. It’s also recommended that dogs are fed twice a day rather than one big meal at one time. It’s best to not feed dogs immediately before they are likely to go to sleep. A high level of carbohydrates in the diet is also a concern and should be monitored closely.

Outside of a healthy diet and exercise regime, it’s thought that some of the causes are simply genetic and cannot be avoided. The best way to prevent your dog from developing pancreatitis is to have them checked by the vet regularly.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Risks for pancreatitis include dehydration as the pancreas is sensitive to changes in blood supply and dietary indiscretion or when a fatty meal has been given, eg. Sausages or bacon, fatty bones.

Commonly affected breeds

While the condition can affect all breeds of dogs and cats, there are a number of breeds that appear to be more susceptible to developing the condition. One of the most common breeds to develop pancreatitis is the Schnauzer.

Pancreatitis commonly affects middle-aged to older, female dogs.

Obese dogs and those that don’t get much exercise are also at greater risk.

Interesting facts

• The disease is fast moving and can begin to seriously affect your animal’s health within a couple of days.
• It’s not only diet and genetics that are thought to bring about pancreatitis. The condition can develop because of other conditions and illnesses that animal may have. Diabetes and hypothyroidism both alter the metabolism of the body, leading to a higher risk of developing the condition.

• Pancreatic enzymes themselves are not normally harmful to the dog’s body. It’s when the pancreas becomes inflamed and the enzymes are released too early, that they can cause damage to the pancreas itself and in severe cases, surrounding organs.
• If a significant number of cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed, a lack of proper food digestion may result. This is known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
• If a significant number of cells that produce insulin are destroyed, diabetes mellitus can result.

MORE INFORMATION

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_11/features/Canine-Pancreatitis-Symptoms-and-Treatment_16081-1.html