Canine pancreatitis is a pretty tough word, isn’t it? This means that your four-legged friend’s pancreas has become inflamed. You can now read about the types of pancreatitis in dogs, how to recognize them, and the forms of treatment in the article!
Forms of pancreatitis in dogs
The pancreas, or pancreas, is located in the front abdomen of the dog. It is an important organ for your fur nose because it produces, stores, and releases important digestive enzymes. Protective mechanisms in the organ prevent the pancreas from digesting itself. If this protection is disturbed, it can lead to pancreatitis in the dog. As a result, the gastrointestinal processes are disrupted, which has serious effects on the health of your four-legged friend.
Pancreatitis in dogs can be “mild” or “severe”. In the “mild” or chronic form of the disease, more local disorders occur. Dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Collies, or Dobermans are often affected by this form of the disease.
If your dog suffers from a “severe” or acute form of pancreatitis, your four-legged friend is in a life-threatening condition. Here strong changes occur in the organ itself and in the surrounding environment. Older dogs and breeds such as Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, or Briards have an increased risk of developing this form.
How long does a dog live with pancreatitis?
In the case of acute pancreatitis with organ failure, the course can be fatal. Mild courses of the disease are quite curable. Chronic pancreatitis may require long-term therapy. Whether and when the dog will die cannot, therefore, be precisely estimated.
What causes pancreatitis in dogs?
There are no proven causes of pancreatitis in dogs. Therefore, this disease is also called “idiopathic pancreatitis” in technical jargon. However, there are some risk factors that favor triggering the disease:
- High-fat meals
- accidents
- Circulatory disorders during anesthesia
- shock
- wrong medication
- Infections such as Babesiosis or Leidhmaniasis
Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs
But how do I know if my dog has pancreatitis? The “mild” form is mostly unspecific. This means that the dog tends to be calm and show a noticeable lack of appetite.
In a “severe” form of pancreatitis in dogs, more typical symptoms appear:
- Vomit
- weakness
- stomach pain
- Dehydration due to low water intake and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Dogs try to relieve pain in the front abdomen with the “prayer position”. They usually lay their upper body on the ground while their hind legs remain upright. In contrast to the “stretching”, however, the dog remains in this position.
What can a dog eat with pancreatitis?
In general, a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, and low-protein diet in small amounts is recommended. Easily digestible food works best. For example, you can serve your dog mashed potatoes or very soft pasta. Lean, tendon-free meat and soft-boiled vegetables can be added to this.
Diagnosis and treatment options
As soon as you suspect that your dog might be suffering from pancreatitis, you should contact your veterinarian. This will carry out a clinical examination for a definitive diagnosis. He will do faecal and blood tests, an ultrasound examination and, if necessary, X-rays to rule out that other organs, such as the heart or lungs, have also been affected. on rare occasions, your pancreatic tissue sample will be taken and examined.#
If your dog’s pancreas has actually become inflamed, your vet should work out a suitable treatment as soon as possible. Because if your four-legged friend suffers from acute pancreatitis, he is in a life-threatening condition. But even a chronic or “mild” pancreatitis can develop into a severe form and should therefore be stopped in the early stages.
As a rule, pancreatitis in dogs is treated with tablets. In addition, it is important to combat the symptoms. We have listed the most important tips for giving your dog new zest for life:
- Fluid therapy to correct electrolyte imbalances;
- Treat vomiting, then add water and feed again;
- Feed change: carbohydrate-rich, low-fat, and low-protein diet in small amounts;
- Regular blood tests and ultrasound examinations by the veterinarian;
- If necessary, also treat diseases of other organs.
What helps with pancreatitis in dogs?
The vet treats the dog symptomatically. The four-legged friend gets liquid (infusion), painkillers, and medication against vomiting. Regular check-ups by the doctor are also mandatory. At home, a change of food should also take place. In general, a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, and low-protein diet in small amounts is recommended.
How can I prevent pancreatitis in dogs?
Is your dog a bit older or does it belong to one of the high-risk dog breeds? Then you should visit your veterinarian at regular intervals and have your darling examined. Since there is no researched reason for the disease, there is, unfortunately, no precise way to prevent it. However, you should make sure to avoid fatty meals, hearty food, or certain medications that can cause circulatory disorders. In order to avoid the last risk during general anesthesia, an infusion should always be given in an emergency.
