Hey, pet parents. Today we're going to talk about a condition that can cause a sudden and severe belly ache in our dogs: Pancreatitis. This is a serious and painful inflammation of the pancreas that can range from mild to life-threatening. Let's learn about the pancreas, what happens when it gets inflamed, and what we can do about it.
What is the Pancreas and What Does it Do?
The pancreas is a small organ that sits tucked behind the stomach and alongside the small intestine. It has two very important jobs:
- •It produces digestive enzymes: These are enzymes that are released into the small intestine to help break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
- 1It produces insulin: Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
Normally, the powerful digestive enzymes made by the pancreas are in an inactive state until they are safely released into the small intestine.
What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis means "inflammation of the pancreas." In pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes are activated prematurely inside the pancreas instead of in the small intestine. This causes the pancreas to start digesting itself and the surrounding tissue. As you can imagine, this is extremely painful and causes a massive inflammatory reaction.
Pancreatitis can be acute (meaning it comes on suddenly) or chronic (meaning it's a smoldering, long-term problem).
What Causes Pancreatitis?
In most cases, we don't know the exact cause of a pancreatitis episode. However, we know there are some major risk factors:
- •A High-Fat Meal: This is the classic trigger. A dog gets into the trash, or is fed a greasy, fatty meal from the table (like bacon or turkey skin), and a few days later develops pancreatitis. The high-fat meal seems to over-stimulate the pancreas.
- •Breed Predisposition: Certain breeds are much more prone to pancreatitis, including Miniature Schnauzers (who often have a problem with high triglycerides in their blood), Yorkshire Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
- •Obesity: Overweight dogs are at a higher risk.
- •Other Diseases: Conditions like Cushing's disease or hypothyroidism can predispose a dog to pancreatitis.
- •Medications: Some medications, like certain diuretics or anti-seizure drugs, have been linked to pancreatitis.
Spotting the Signs of Pancreatitis
The signs of acute pancreatitis can come on quickly.
- •Vomiting: This is a very common sign.
- •Abdominal Pain: Your dog may have a "hunched up" appearance or adopt a "praying position" (front end down, back end up) in an attempt to relieve the pain. Their belly will be very tense and painful to the touch.
- •Loss of Appetite: They will refuse to eat.
- •Lethargy and Weakness: They will be very sick and lethargic.
- •Diarrhea: May also be present.
- •Fever: They may have a fever.
Pancreatitis can be very severe and can lead to shock and death if not treated aggressively. If you see these signs, get your dog to a vet.
How Vets Diagnose Pancreatitis
- •Physical Exam: Your vet will suspect pancreatitis if your dog is showing the classic signs, especially the painful, tense abdomen.
- •Bloodwork: There is a specific blood test called a cPLI (canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) test. A high cPLI is very specific for pancreatitis. General bloodwork will also show other changes, like dehydration and inflammation.
- •Abdominal Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a great way to get a look at the pancreas. An inflamed pancreas will look enlarged and angry on an ultrasound. Ultrasound can also help to rule out other causes of vomiting and abdominal pain.
Treatment: Supportive Care is Key
There is no magic bullet to cure pancreatitis. The treatment is all about supporting the dog while the pancreas heals and the inflammation subsides. For moderate to severe cases, this requires hospitalization.
- •IV Fluids: This is the cornerstone of treatment. Dogs with pancreatitis are often very dehydrated from vomiting, and IV fluids are needed to restore hydration and maintain blood flow to the pancreas.
- •Pain Management: This is critical. Pancreatitis is incredibly painful, and dogs are given strong pain medications, often as a continuous infusion.
- •Anti-Nausea Medication: Medications are given to control the vomiting.
- •Nutritional Support: It used to be thought that food should be withheld, but we now know that it's very important to get these dogs eating as soon as they can keep food down. They are fed a special, ultra-low-fat diet. Some dogs that won't eat on their own may need a temporary feeding tube.
Life After Pancreatitis
Once a dog has had pancreatitis, they are at a much higher risk of having it again. The most important part of long-term management is diet.
- •A Strict, Low-Fat Diet: Your dog will likely need to be on a prescription ultra-low-fat diet for the rest of their life.
- •No More Table Scraps: Absolutely no fatty treats or people food. The days of sharing your bacon are over!
By sticking to a strict low-fat diet, you can dramatically reduce your dog's risk of having another painful and dangerous bout of pancreatitis.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •VCA Animal Hospitals - Pancreatitis in Dogs
- 1American Kennel Club - Pancreatitis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment