Are you worried about your dog’s risk of pancreatitis? Whether you are or not, read our animal hospital article to learn more about pancreatitis and its symptoms.
What is Pancreatitis in Dogs?
The pancreas is an organ in the abdominal cavity. One of its roles is the production of digestive enzymes, which help break down food products.
“Pancreatitis in dogs is an inflammatory reaction within the pancreas that can result in abdominal pain, lethargy and vomiting.”
The inflammation results from inappropriate, premature activation of an enzyme within the pancreas, causing the pancreas to digest itself.
What Causes Pancreatitis in Dogs?
Classically, the typical history of a canine patient diagnosed with pancreatitis is one in which the dog ate a high-fat diet or littered. Unfortunately, this is not the most common cause of pancreatitis.
In fact, 90% of the time, the underlying cause of pancreatitis in dogs is idiopathic (cannot be determined).
Are some dogs prone to pancreatitis?
Certain breeds are more prone to developing pancreatitis, as well as dogs taking certain medications.
Miniature Schnauzers are considered a predisposed breed due to their tendency to have problems with high blood triglyceride levels.
Another example is the English Cocker Spaniel. Immune-mediated diseases, which result from abnormal activity of the immune system, are commonly seen at high frequency in this breed, and immune system attacks on the pancreas are no exception.
Medications that cause pancreatitis include, but are not limited to, some chemotherapy drugs and some antibiotics.
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs?
Pancreatitis can present as a sudden-onset (acute) disease or as a more long-term (chronic) disease.
A dog with acute pancreatitis will have more serious clinical signs, such as:
- Severe laziness.
- Stomach pain
- Constant vomiting.
- Severe dehydration
- Falls and tremors (sometimes)
A dog with chronic pancreatitis is usually not that sick. Clinical signs may include:
- cheapness
- Loss of appetite from not eating at all
- Abdominal pain and/or vomiting
- In general, chronic pancreatitis is not as common in dogs as acute pancreatitis.
- Dogs with chronic pancreatitis can develop sudden worsening pancreatitis. This is a situation where chronic pancreatitis occurs acutely.
How do doctors diagnose pancreatitis in dogs?
Diagnosing pancreatic disease can be difficult because symptoms are often not specific to the pancreas and routine blood tests are often unhelpful.
However, there are pancreas-specific blood tests that can be done when a veterinarian strongly suspects pancreatitis.
Unfortunately, even these specialized tests are not 100% accurate.
“Abdominal x-rays are also not very helpful in diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs. However, in a patient with vomiting, an X-ray is necessary to rule out a possible foreign body obstruction in the stomach and/or intestine (something your dog ingested, such as a protruding toy).”
The best way to image the pancreas is through an abdominal ultrasound. However, pancreatic tissue must be abnormal enough to be visualized using ultrasound, which is more common in dogs with acute, acute pancreatitis than in dogs with chronic, mild pancreatitis.
Overall, blood tests and abdominal ultrasound are better at helping diagnose pancreatitis in dogs when it is acute and severe.
How to Treat Pancreatitis in Dogs?
Treatment is primarily supportive care regardless of whether the patient has acute or chronic pancreatitis.
1. Acute pancreatitis in dogs:
Patients with severe, acute pancreatitis often require more extensive medical intervention and treatment.
These patients often require several days, if not weeks, of treatment, including:
- Intensive intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte support
- Pain management measures
- Anti-nausea medication
- Gastrointestinal medications
- Nutritional support in the form of a feeding tube
- Antibiotics (sometimes)
Patients with acute pancreatitis are often critical and are best treated in a specialist practice, such as a 24-hour intensive care facility. Estimated cost of treatment is around $2000-5000 but may vary depending on where you live.
2. Moderate to mild pancreatitis in dogs:
Patients with moderate or mild pancreatitis may be hospitalized for one to few days for IV fluid therapy to correct dehydration.
In a dog with mild pancreatitis, your veterinarian may determine that subcutaneous (injected under the skin) fluid administration — either at the appointment or at home — will be sufficient for rehydration.
These patients are also commonly treated with:
- Anti-nausea medication
- Stomach protector
- Pain reliever
- A light, low-fat diet is recommended during recovery (this can be home-cooked and/or home-prepared food).
Generally, patients with mild to moderate pancreatitis recover within one to two weeks. Treatment may vary with these patients, so costs vary. If hospitalized for a few days, the costs can be around $1500-2500. If treated as an outpatient, the cost is approximately $500-1000.
A permanent change in diet may be recommended, especially in predisposed breeds (Schnauzers) or dogs with a previous history of pancreatitis.
How does a dog act when it has pancreatitis?
The most common clinical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. During an attack, dogs may assume a ‘prayer position’, with their hindquarters in the air and their front legs and head down on the floor.
What does a dog with pancreatitis look like?
A dog with pancreatitis may have brown diarrhea or loose stools that contain yellow or light-colored mucus. Pancreatitis can vary in severity as well as be acute or chronic. Always consult a vet if a dog has unresolved diarrhea for more than 24-48 hours.
How can I treat my dogs pancreatitis at home?
Home care for canine pancreatitis usually includes feeding a specific low-fat diet that your vet recommends, giving medications, and possibly administering fluids under the skin (outpatient veterinary during the visit, or taught to administer fluids at home).
Do dogs drink water when they have pancreatitis?
They also often drink water and miss their food. All of these are really non-specific symptoms and require a blood test to make a diagnosis.