For the Purrbabies

Essential information on pancreatitis in dogs: diagnosis, treatment, and management
Is your dog having constant tummy troubles? In most cases, it is normal for bowel troubles to occur every so often. In some cases, it could be one of the first signs of pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is at the top of the abdomen and functions as part of the digestive system, crucial to the functioning of a healthy pup. It secretes enzymes called lipase and amylase which are responsible for fat digestion. When a dog’s pancreas is inflamed, it releases enzymes into itself instead of into the small intestine.
There are two main types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Acute pancreatitis occurs abruptly and typically resolves without long term effects. It’s important to address acute pancreatitis early. That way, the inflammation in the pancreas doesn’t spread to other organs.
Dogs with chronic pancreatitis will experience inflammation of the pancreas over extended durations. Due to the long-term nature of chronic pancreatitis, it can be especially hard to spot clinical signs in your pup.
Abdominal pain is the most common sign of acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis may have no symptoms at all. This makes pancreatitis hard to identify. There are several other symptoms to look out for if you’re worried about pancreatitis:
👉 It can be hard to tell when your dog has abdominal pain. With acute pancreatitis, your pup might curve their back as if to protect their stomach.
🚨Severe cases of pancreatitis can be lethal if not immediately treated. More severe symptoms include blood in stools and breathing difficulties. If you notice these symptoms you should call your local or emergency vet for a visit. Pancreatitis can be life-threatening.
The causes of pancreatitis are hard to pinpoint. The illness can appear abruptly or seemingly out of the blue.
🚨The following medications should be avoided for pancreatic health: Cholinesterase inhibitors, calcium, potassium bromide, phenobarbital, l-asparaginase, estrogen, salicylates, azathioprine, thiazide diuretics, and vinca alkaloid.
Any dog can develop pancreatitis but some are at higher risk for genetic reasons.
Dogs more prone to acute pancreatitis:
Dogs more prone to chronic pancreatitis:
In general, older dogs tend to get pancreatitis more often because they suffer from illnesses like diabetes.
Diagnosis of pancreatitis can be tough. Pancreatitis is diagnosed using a combination of medical tests and reports. The first thing the vet will do is look at your dog’s medical history.
👉The vet will probably have questions for you as the dog owner. Be prepared to answer questions about recent lifestyle/ diet changes and mention any apparent symptoms.
The vet may perform one or many of a selection of tests:
Only the vet should treat pancreatitis. There are different treatments for varying levels of severity of the illness. Most mild cases of pancreatitis recover in two or three days after seeking vet treatments. Chronic pancreatitis can last for months and even the duration of a dog’s life.
The vet may use the following treatments:
🚨While most dogs will have a good prognosis, others might need to stay in the hospital for 24/7 monitoring.
The vet must treat pancreatitis. Avoid at-home remedies once your dog is diagnosed with pancreatitis.
There are, however, some things the vet might tell you to do at home to help the healing process. This might include limiting your dog’s food intake while they recover. Vets will often recommend a ‘no solid food’ diet over a 24 hour period.
There are a few things you can do to prevent and manage the pancreas function.
🚨Use supplements and holistic remedies with vet recommendation only.
It’s no surprise but diet is one of the best ways to prevent pancreatitis and other illnesses. Healthy eating helps your dog maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity. If your dog has acute pancreatitis, follow the vet’s instructions in regards to food. Low-fat diets are always recommended to decrease risk factors.
You should always avoid the following when feeding your dog:
With chronic pancreatitis, balanced homemade diets can be one of the healthiest options.
Do incorporate the following into your dog’s homemade diet:
👉Not all dog owners have time to cook at home for their dogs. We recommend a variety of store-bought food options. Some are especially effective for dogs with digestive sensitivity and chronic stomach issues.
Unfortunately, once your dog has had pancreatitis, it will likely recur. Get to know your pup the best you can. This will help you understand the kind of lifestyle they need to maintain their pancreas and digestive health.