Please sir, can I have some more?

Gastroenteritis and Pancreatitis in Dogs

It’s summertime!  Spending time outdoors (when it’s not so exceedingly hot, that is) and grilling out is a big part of the season.  Admit it, when grilling something delicious, you’ll occasionally offer a hot dog, or some ribs, or even some potato chips , pretzels, or cookies to your furry pal.  What’s the harm in that?  Everything in moderation, right?

Perhaps, but perhaps not.  Unfortunately many dogs can have sensitive gastrointestinal systems that will respond negatively to any newly introduced foods, whether it is an abrupt change in diet from one brand of dog food to another, new treats, or ‘people’ food.  Gastroenteritis and pancreatitis are two potentially serious conditions that can occur from feeding dogs any new type of food, but especially foods that are high in fat.   An abrupt change in diet can potentially lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and resulting dehydration, which if left untreated can lead to serious illness and possibly death.

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (i.e., the stomach, intestines).  It can be caused by reactions to food, medications, plants, or infection with viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

What is pancreatitis?

The pancreas produces enzymes to aid in digestion of food and hormones such as insulin, which regulates blood sugar or glucose metabolism.  Inflammation of the pancreas is a condition called pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis can be the mild, edematous form or the more severe, hemorrhagic form. In pancreatitis, digestive enzymes spill into the abdominal cavity and damage the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines. A few dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the disease, which is then called chronic or relapsing pancreatitis.

The exact cause of pancreatitis is not known, but it may be triggered by eating food high in fat or by corticosteroid administration.

What are the signs of gastroenteritis and pancreatitis?

Gastroenteritis symptoms usually include nausea, inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy; pancreatitis can include the same symptoms and will often also include fever and abdominal pain, which can be severe.  If the pancreatitis attack is severe, acute shock, depression, and even death may occur.

How are gastroenteritis and pancreatitis treated?

If your pet is having any of the above mentioned symptoms and you have recently fed your pet people food or changed its diet, then please see your veterinarian.  A thorough history taking and tests will likely need to be performed to rule out other causes of the symptoms, and to rule out or confirm pancreatitis.  If dehydration is severe hospitalization for administration of IV fluids may be needed.  With mild cases of gastroenteritis, pets can often be treated on an outpatient basis with subcutaneous fluids, anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications, and bland food.  With pancreatitis, hospitalization is usually required for at least a couple days, and pain medication, anti-nausea medications, anti-diarrheal medication, IV fluids, and sometimes other antibiotics are necessary if infection is suspected.   Prognosis depends on severity of the disease and how early treatment was started.  Most dogs recover without long term problems, but some will be at risk for recurrence.

In summary…

Giving your dog that chicken wing covered in bbq sauce may seem tempting, but the risks may outweigh the benefits of satisfying those begging eyes.  Gastroenteritis and pancreatitis can both be serious conditions, and there are additional risks of causing a foreign body with bones or hard to chew foods like corn cobs.  Lastly, some people food can be toxic to dogs.  Always consult your veterinarian prior to introducing any new food items to their diet.  And when in doubt, it’s always best to stick with treats made for dogs!

 

Kristen Ferguson, DVM, References and pictures from “Gastroenteritis in Dogs” and “Pancreatitis in Dogs” by Ernest Ward, DVM © Copyright 2009 Lifelearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.