Canine Pancreatitis

                                                                  

Pancreatitis is a disease process we see often in the hospital primarily with mini schnauzers, however any breed can be affected.

The dog pancreas has two main jobs:  secretion of digestive enzymes to help break down the food we eat and the secretion of the enzymes insulin and glucagon to regulate our sugar metabolism.

In pancreatitis, the pancreas becomes inflamed and the enzymes that are normally safely released are now digesting the pancreas itself instead of food.  This occurrence results in a metabolic catastrophe that can be life threatening.  Secondarily pancreatitis can also lead to diabetes, DIC (bleeding disorder), pancreatic encephalopathy (brain damage), and lung or liver damage. 

                                                                    

The classic signs of pancreatitis are appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and pain in the abdomen.
Treatment of pancreatitis includes hydration with electrolyte supplementation, pain management, medication to control vomiting and diarrhea, and antibiotics. 

In most cases of pancreatitis we never find out what caused it.  Some known causes of pancreatitis are:  reflux of intestinal contents into the pancreatic duct, trauma, concurrent hormonal imbalances like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), drugs like sulfas and certain chemotherapy agents, and cancer. 

Once dogs have recovered from pancreatitis we keep them maintained on a low fat diet and reevaluate them on a regular basis to make sure that diabetes has not developed.

Dr. Kim Simons
West Boca Veterinary Center
www.westbocavet.com

How to Know If Your Canine Has Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a common disease in canines in which their pancreas becomes inflamed. The pancreas is responsible for secreting insulin and digestive enzymes. It is located between the stomach and small intestine. When it becomes inflamed it can leak enzymes. The leakage of enzymes can cause severe tissue damage, making it important to know whether or not your dog may be suffering from pancreatitis.

Instructions

1


Watch your canine to see if it is suffering from vomiting or diarrhea. If your dog is an inside dog, it is easy to notice vomiting and diarrhea. However, if your dog is an outside dog, you may have to spend a little time outside.




2





Check to see if your dog is eating its food. Many dogs tend to avoid food if they have pain in their abdomen. If your dog usually eats all its food and you notice that it isn’t interested or is only eating small portions, it should be a red flag that it is having stomach trouble.




3





Apply pressure to your canine’s abdominal. Try pressing in several different places to see if your canine is having any type of tenderness in those areas. If your dog has tenderness in its abdomen, it should exhibit a sign of pain or discomfort, such as yelping, whining or trying to move away from the pressure.




4





Watch your dog’s behavior. Your canine may exhibit lethargy, which is excessive tiredness, if it is suffering from pancreatitis. This is also a sign of many other diseases and illnesses besides just pancreatitis and should be taken seriously if it continues from more than a couple days.




5





Take your canine to the veterinarian if you suspect it has pancreatitis. These signs are similar to that of gastroenteritis, peritonitis, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal obstruction, so it is important that your dog gets medical attention if it is exhibiting these signs.

Canine Pancreatitis

+:lang=”EN-US” xml:lang=”EN-US”>Majority of times a canine pancreatitis will occur when the pancreatic cells are damaged to an extent that they start leaking the digestive enzymes. This process if not controlled can lead to acute or chronic pancreatitis. The symptoms of the canine pancreatitis are very common as the effected body would find sever pain in the upper abdomen. You would also find lack of appetite.

+:lang=”EN-US” xml:lang=”EN-US”>Majorly this problem is found in dogs that would loose there energy levels and looks dull and depressed with certain signs of dehydration. You may also find your dog vomiting frequently and suddenly the red tissues found in the eyes and mouth has a changed color. Other symptoms are yellow, greasy stools, diarrhea and fever. You should not wait anymore time and take your dog immediately to the veterinarian. It becomes very important for the veterinarian to understand the history of the dog after the dog has been diagnosed positive for canine pancreatitis. Performing a physical examination followed by laboratory testing which can reveal the root cause. If time permits and condition is not that severe then an X-ray and ultrasound tests can be conducted, if required.

+:lang=”EN-US” xml:lang=”EN-US”>Only middle aged dog’s specially the female dogs are more prone to canine pancreatitis. It’s heavily found in poodles, miniature schnauzers and cocker spaniels. If the pancreas is damaged severely to the point that they can no longer do there work and produce enough insulin, the dog starts to suffer from diabetes mellitus. The prognosis for dogs would depend upon the severity of canine pancreatitis illness.

Causes Of Canine Pancreatitis

by Guest Author Dr. Susan Wright, DVM

The Pancreas is a small organ that is located next to your dog’s stomach and small intestine. Its job is to secrete enzymes into the small intestine to help with digestion, and to produce insulin, a hormone which is involved in the regulation of blood glucose.
Inflammation of the pancreas can cause the release of enzymes which start to digest the organ. This causes more damage to the pancreas as well as general signs of illness such as vomiting, a fever and a tummy ache.
Severe pancreatitis, or recurring bouts of the illness, can permanently affect insulin production, which will result in your dog developing diabetes mellitus.
There is no single cause of pancreatitis in dogs, and in many cases, it’s not possible to identify what has triggered the disease. However, there are some things that can lead to pancreatic inflammation.
* Hormonal disorders such as thyroid disease or diabetes can predispose to pancreatitis.
* Certain medications can make a dog more likely to develop this disease. Such drugs include anti-epileptic medication and chemotherapy drugs.
* Trauma to the pancreas from a blow to the abdomen can lead to inflammation of that part of the body, and this can cause pancreatitis.
* Pancreatic cancer can cause inflammation in the organ.
* Some breeds, such as the Miniature Schnauzer, can be more likely to develop pancreatitis because of their unique metabolism.

English: Schnauzer|Miniature Schnauzer] (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Pancreatitis may be associated with eating a fatty meal; many dogs become ill with pancreatitis after Christmas, when they have been given rich fatty leftovers.
Diagnosing Pancreatitis
Reaching a diagnosis of pancreatitis isn’t straightforward. Your dog’s symptoms may make your vet suspect pancreatitis but further tests are needed. A general blood test will measure the levels of amylase and lipase in your dog’s blood. These two digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas and if they are increased, it’s likely that there is damage to pancreatic cells. However, there are other illnesses that can cause an increase in these enzymes so blood tests aren’t very reliable. There is a newer blood test called CPL test, which measures specific canine pancreatic lipase, and is much better at confirming a diagnosis.

Australian Shepherd (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Treating Pancreatitis in Dogs
Most cases of pancreatitis in dogs need treatment in hospital. Treatment includes no food to let the pancreas rest, intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and pain relief. Antibiotics are often prescribed; even though bacteria aren’t a cause of pancreatitis, they can infect the inflamed organ and make the situation worse.
Low fat diets and weight loss are important in long term management of dogs with pancreatitis. If they develop diabetes mellitus, they will need insulin to keep their blood sugar levels within normal limits.

Pancreatitis can make your dog seriously ill and may even be fatal. It’s important that you’re aware of the symptoms so, if you suspect this condition in your dog, you can start treatment as soon as possible.

Dr. Susan Wright, DMV is a professional on dog bark collars and dog training collars. Susan has been giving care for pets as a practicing veterinarian for more than 10 years. As an authority on domestic pet care, Susan likes writing articles that help people give the best care for their pets.

Please visit my web site at Pet Portraits by Deena and see the many portraits I have painted.  Dogs, cats, horses…what will be next?  10% of proceeds will benefit CorgiAid! 

Canine Pancreatitis: Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Canine pancreatitis is a condition that causes severe pain in the abdomen due to inflammation of pancreas. To know about symptoms of canine pancreatitis, read on…

The pancreas is a small glandular organ that is located near the stomach. Its main function is to produce enzymes that help digest food. Canine pancreatitis is a painful condition which is caused due to inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas. As a result, the digestive enzymes start leaking causing severe pain. Although, it can occur at any age, it is common in middle-aged dogs. Canine pancreatitis can be, either acute (severe) or chronic. The former occurs suddenly and requires immediate treatment; while, in latter case, the symptoms worsen gradually, leading to irreversible damage to the pancreas. Chances of recovery depend on the severity of the disease. If the dog has acute pancreatitis, the recovery will be slow.

Symptoms of Canine Pancreatitis

Initially, the symptoms of canine pancreatitis are mild, but with the passage of time, they become severe and unbearable. Abdominal pain is a common symptom of canine pancreatitis. Other mild symptoms include:

Lack of appetite

Hunched up posture with shoulders forward and head bent down.

Diarrhea

Depression

Vomiting and nausea

Swollen abdomen

Fever

Color of stool changes to odd yellow.

Mild symptoms are not a cause of concern as they go away on their own, without causing any harm to the canine. As the symptoms progress, the following health problems may develop:

Dehydration (dehydrated canines have sunken eyes and dry mouth)

Difficulty in breathing

Heart arrhythmias

Inflammation of organs that surround the pancreas.

Infection and hemorrhages throughout the body.

Causes of Canine Pancreatitis

There are a number of factors that can trigger this disorder in dogs. Digestive enzymes segregated by the pancreas become active only in the small intestine. However, if these enzymes get prematurely activated in the pancreas, then it may result in swollen pancreas. An unhealthy diet can also lead to the development of canine pancreatitis. Dogs on high fat diets, as well as those fed on table scraps are more susceptible to this disease.

The common causes of pancreatitis in dogs are as follows:

Obesity

Trauma, such as a severe abdominal injury.

High fatty meals

Unhygienic food (eating garbage food)

Infections that damage the pancreas.

Certain synthetic drugs such as corticosteroids, used to treat conditions like canine arthritis, and potassium bromide, prescribed for seizure control.

Metabolic disorders, such as hyperlipidemia, where the amount of fat in your dog’s blood stream is high. The pancreas try to remove these fats by secreting excessive digestive enzymes. This results in inflammation of the pancreas.

Dogs suffering from diabetes

Treatment for Canine Pancreatitis

Medications that are commonly used to treat canine pancreatitis include antibiotics, analgesics and antiemetics. These medications help to control the pain. In order to prevent recurrence of pancreatitis, dogs should not be given foods with high fat content. Giving rest to the pancreas is essential to cure this disease. This is possible only when food or water is not taken orally for 2 to 5 days or more. Surgical intervention will be required, in cases of intestinal complications or severe inflammation of the pancreas.

Fulfilling the dog’s nutritional needs will help the pancreas to heal. A high fiber and low fat diet will go a long way in managing the illness and help your canine’s pancreas to recover. Diet recommendations as prescribed by the veterinarian, must be strictly followed to achieve optimal health.

Canine Pancreatitis Treatment

Canine pancreatitis treatment generally involves use of fluid therapy, painkillers, and antibiotics (if needed). To know more about treatment for canine pancreatitis, read on…

Canine pancreatitis is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes inflammation of the pancreas (part of a digestive system). In this condition, the pancreas, that release certain enzymes for proper digestion of food, no longer functions normally. As a result, the digestion process is severely hampered. This condition, that is accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting, is generally seen in obese and overweight dogs. Read more on canine pancreatitis: symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs.

Causes of Canine Pancreatitis

Veterinarians are still unable to identify the exact reason behind the occurrence of canine pancreatitis. There are certain risk factors that can make a dog vulnerable to this condition. For instance, an obese dog that performs very less physical activity is likely to suffer from pancreatitis. Other factors that put the dog in the risk zone of canine pancreatitis are as follows:

Diet rich in fats

Trauma

Diabetes

Ingestion of synthetic drugs (corticosteroids)

Canine Pancreatitis Treatment

Canine pancreatitis treatment is a step by step procedure that aims at relieving the symptoms. Once, the diagnostic methods confirm that the dog is affected with pancreatitis, following steps are taken.

Fluid Therapy: Dogs diagnosed with canine pancreatitis are not allowed to consume food and water for a temporary period. Instead, fluids are administered intravenously to keep the dog well hydrated. Fluid therapy is extremely important as putting food intake on hold gives the inflamed pancreas sufficient time to heal. This type of therapy is continued until the dog’s health significantly improves. In addition to fluid therapy, the following medicines may be prescribed for canines suffering from pancreatitis.

Pain Relievers: In order to reduce the pain associated with canine pancreatitis, the veterinarian may prescribe certain pain relievers. The commonly prescribed pain relievers include Butorphanol and Meperidine. Application of Fentanyl patches on the dog’s skin to deliver the pain medication through the skin can also help to alleviate the discomfort caused by this condition. Fentanyl will be more effective if the area is shaved before applying it. Fentanyl patches are generally attached using an elastic bandage, for a period of 3 days. Read more on painkillers for dogs.

Antibiotics: Dogs plagued with frequent bouts of vomiting are prescribed an antacid along with antibiotics (cephalexin). This form of canine pancreatitis treatment is used when the condition causes high fever or a considerable decrease in white cell count. Antibiotics also aid to prevent the onset of secondary infections.

Canine Pancreatitis Diet

As aforementioned, the dog is given intravenous fluids (for at least 24 hours) and this practice is discontinued only when the dog shows a great deal of improvement. When it comes to restoring food intake, a low fat diet is prescribed. This is because the digestive system is not capable to absorb the fats from the food. Another advantage of a reduced fat diet is that it can help to relieve symptoms of canine pancreatitis. A low fat diet can be easily digested and does not put any stress on the pancreas. Rice and chicken (boiled or cooked) are some of the crucial dog foods that form an integral part of canine pancreatitis treatment. There are some veterinary diets that are specially formulated for dogs with pancreatitis as well. These prescribed diets contain added nutrients that speed up recovery. Those looking for commercial dog food should ensure that it is of high quality (low fat) and contains organic ingredients. Read more on canine pancreatitis diet.

Making the dog food at home is the best option. Homemade dog food can be easily digestible meals such as overcooked rice, skinless chicken along with low fat cottage cheese. These are not only easy for the canine to digest, but are a great source of nourishment as well. Following are the foods that should be included in a canine pancreatitis diet

Cooked vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli

Lean ground beef (low fat)

Egg whites

Barley

Oatmeal

Sweet potatoes

To know more about diseases associated with dogs read:

Dog Health

Dog Illnesses

Dog Health Problems

Instead of giving 2 large meals, feeding the dog in small portions (5-6 meals) will put less burden on the pancreas. Make sure that while giving chicken, the skin and the bones are removed. Recurrence of canine pancreatitis can always be prevented by keeping the dog on a low fat diet. Even a high fiber diet can predispose the dog to recurrent pancreatitis. A moderate fiber diet is often considered the mainstay of canine pancreatitis treatment.

Canine Pancreatitis: Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs

The pancreas is a small glandular organ that is located near the stomach. Its main function is to produce enzymes that help digest food. Canine pancreatitis is a painful condition which results in inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas. As a result, the digestive enzymes start leaking causing moderate to severe abdominal pain.

Type of Canine Pancreatitis

Canine pancreatitis can be, either acute (severe) or chronic. The former occurs suddenly and requires immediate treatment; while, in latter case, the symptoms worsen gradually, leading to irreversible damage to the pancreas.

Symptoms

Initially, the symptoms are mild, but with the passage of time, they become severe and unbearable. Abdominal pain is a common symptom of canine pancreatitis. Other mild symptoms include:

• Lack of appetite


• Hunched up posture with shoulders forward and head bent down.


• Diarrhea


• Depression


• Vomiting and nausea


• Swollen abdomen


• Fever


• Color of stool changes to odd yellow.

As the condition worsens, the symptoms observed are:

• Dehydration (dehydrated canines have sunken eyes and dry mouth)


• Difficulty in breathing


• Heart arrhythmias


• Inflammation of organs that surround the pancreas.


• Infection and hemorrhages throughout the body.

Behavior of Dogs Affected with Pancreatitis

• Dogs with pancreatitis are unable to walk properly due to abdominal pain.


• Also, the dog does not rest in one position for long. While lying down, the dog often shifts the resting position to reduce abdominal discomfort.


• Your pet is likely to moan or wail upon holding because of abdominal discomfort.


• Despite no physical activity, the dog may be seen breathing heavily.

Causes

There are a number of factors that can trigger this disorder in dogs. Digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas are supposed to get active only in the small intestine. However, if these enzymes get prematurely activated in the pancreas, then it may result in swollen pancreas. An unhealthy diet can also lead to the development of pancreatitis in dogs. Dogs fed on table scraps are more susceptible to this disease. Dogs suffering from hypothyroidism and epilepsy have higher chances of developing pancreatitis than their healthy counterparts.

The common causes of pancreatitis in dogs are as follows:

• Obesity


• Trauma, such as a severe abdominal injury.


• High fatty meals


• Unhygienic food (eating garbage food)


• Infections that damage the pancreas.


• Certain synthetic drugs such as corticosteroids, used to treat conditions like canine arthritis, and potassium bromide, prescribed for seizure control.


• Metabolic disorders, such as hyperlipidemia, where the amount of fat in your dog’s blood stream is high. The pancreas try to remove these fats by secreting excessive digestive enzymes. This results in inflammation of the pancreas.


• Diabetes

Treatment

Medications that are commonly used to treat pancreatitis in dogs include antibiotics, analgesics and antiemetics. These medications help to control the pain. In order to prevent recurrence of pancreatitis, dogs should not be given foods with high fat content. Giving rest to the pancreas is essential to cure this disease. This is possible only when food or water is not taken orally for 2 to 5 days or more. The dog is put on intravenous fluids until the episodes of vomiting stop. Surgical intervention will be required, in cases of intestinal complications or severe inflammation of the pancreas.

Diagnosis

A blood test confirming high amount of lipase and amylase enzymes circulating in the bloodstream is an indication of pancreatitis. More specifically, the test that determines abnormally high amount of pancreatic lipase is said to be a reliable test when it comes to diagnosing canine pancreatitis.

Fulfilling the dog’s nutritional needs will help the pancreas to heal. A high fiber and low-fat diet will go a long way in managing the illness and help your canine’s pancreas to recover.

Canine Pancreatitis

You’ve probably never even thought about pancreatitis in dogs unless your pet has contracted the illness but it is considered to be a common canine disease.

What is it?

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, either acute or chronic. The enzymes that normally digest food in the small intestine actually leak out into the pancreas and begin to digest the pancreas itself. It is a painful and serious disease. It isn’t well understood what causes pancreatitis but there are some known causative factors and some dogs are at greater risk such as dogs who:

• are overweight,


• have suddenly eaten a very high fat meal,


• have had an injury to the abdomen,


• are on cortisone,


• are diabetic or,


• are over 5 years old.

Schnuazers and terriers are at slightly greater risk of contracting pancreatitis.

Diagnosis

It isn’t easy to disgnose pancreatitis but some symptoms are loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, depression, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain. If your veterinarian suspects the disease (s)he will order blood tests and perhaps also x-rays or ultrasound. Because the disease is so variable the treatment will be based on the evaluation of the needs of your pet.

Most dogs who’ve had pancreatitis recover without long-term effects but owners need to be conscious of doing all they can to prevent a relapse. Owners of dogs that have had pancreatitis will need to monitor their fat intake. They should not ever be given high-fat treats such as pig’s ears. They also should not have any supplemental oils or fats. Their diet should be limited to 10% fat. Their medications may need to be changed and, if the dog is overweight, it is important to take off the excess kilos.

Canine pancreatitis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Illustration of a dog’s pancreas. Alveolus in the illustration refers to the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas. The cells form circular clusters.^[1] They are the cells which produce pancreatic enzymes needed for digestion of food.

Canine Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can occur in two very different forms. Acute pancreatitis^[2] is sudden while chronic pancreatitis is characterized by recurring or persistent form of pancreatic inflammation. Cases of both can be considered mild or severe.^[3]

Contents

• 1 Background


• 2 Pathophysiology


• 3 Clinical Signs


• 4 Risk factors


• 5 Treatment


• 6 Post-pancreatitis management


• 7 References

Background

The pancreas is composed of two sections: the smaller endocrine portion, which is responsible for producing hormones such as insulin, somatostatin, and glucagon, and the larger, exocrine portion,^[4] which produces enzymes needed for the digestion of food. Acinar cells make up 82% of the total pancreas; these cells are responsible for the production of the digestive enzymes.^[1][5]

Pathophysiology

Pancreatitis is caused by autodigestion of the pancreas thought to begin with a decrease in secretion of pancreatic enzymes in response to a stimulus,^[6][7] which can be anything from table scraps to getting into the garbage to drugs, toxins, and trauma.^[3][8] The digestive enzymes are released too quickly and begin acting on the pancreas instead of the food they normally digest.^{[2][8][9][10]} Once the process cascades, then inflammatory mediators and free radicals are released and pancreatitis develops, causing amplification of the process.^[9]

Clinical Signs

The clinical signs can vary from mild gastrointestinal upset to death, with most dogs presenting with common gastrointestinal signs of upset, such as vomiting, anorexia, painful abdomen, hunched posture, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and lack of energy, with vomiting being the most common symptom.^[8][11][12] These signs are not specific just for pancreatitis and may be associated with other gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.^[3][8][13]

Acute pancreatitis can trigger a buildup of fluid, particularly in abdominal and thoracic (chest) areas, acute renal failure, and cause inflammation in arteries and veins. The inflammation triggers the body’s clotting factors, possibly depleting them to the point of spontaneous bleeding.^[8][14] It is this form which can be fatal in animals and in humans.^[12]

Chronic pancreatitis can be present even though there are no clinical signs of the disease.^[13]

Pancreatitis can result in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, if the organ’s acinar cells are permanently damaged; the pancreatic enzymes then need replacement with pancrelipase or similar products. The damage can also extend into the endocrine portion of the pancreas, resulting in diabetes mellitus.^[15] Whether the diabetes is transient (temporary) or permanent depends on the severity of the damage to the endocrine pancreas beta cells.^[14]

Risk factors

Although there can be various causes of dog pancreatitis, such as drugs, fatty diet, trauma, etc., the pathophysiology is very complex.^[2][13] Pancreatitis can be idiopathic; no real causation factor can be found.^[9][12]Obese animals as well as animals fed a diet high in fat may be more prone to developing acute and chronic pancreatitis.^[2][11][16] Certain breeds of dogs are considered predisposed to developing pancreatitis including miniature schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and some terrier breeds.^{[8][9][11][17]} Miniature Schnauzers as a breed tend toward developing hyperlipidemia, an excess of circulating fats in the blood.^[18] The breed which appears to be at risk for the acute form of pancreatitis is the Yorkshire Terrier, while Labrador Retrievers and miniature Poodles seem to have a decreased risk for the acute form of the disease. It is suggested that genetics may play a part in the risk factor.^[2] Dogs suffering from diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism), hypothyroidism and epilepsy are at increased risk for pancreatitis.^[2][14] Diabetes and hypothyroidism are also associated with hyperlipidemia.^[19][20] Those with other types of gastrointestinal conditions and dogs who have had previous pancreatitis attacks are also at increased risk for the disorder.^[2]

Treatment

There are no approved treatments for canine pancreatitis. Treatment for this disease is supportive, and may require hospitialization to attend to the dog’s nutritional and fluid needs, pain management, and addressing any other disease processes (infection, diabetes, etc.)^[15] while letting the pancreas heal on its own.^[3][11] Treatment often involves “resting” the pancreas for a short period of time by nil per os/nothing per os (NPO)/nil by mouth (NBM), in which the patient receives no food or fluids by mouth, but is fed and hydrated by intravenous fluids and a feeding tube.^[8][12]Dehydration is also managed by the use of fluid therapy.^[13][14][15] However, a veterinarian has stated “There is no evidence whatsoever that withholding food has any beneficial effect.” [1]

Canine pancreatitis is complex, often limiting the ability to approach the disease.

Post-pancreatitis management

A low fat diet is indicated.^[3] The use of drugs which are known to have an association with pancreatitis should be avoided.^[13][14] Some patients benefit from the use of pancreatic enzymes on a supplemental basis. One study indicated that 57 percent of dogs, who were followed for six months after an acute pancreatitis attack, either continued to exhibit inflammation of the organ or had decreased acinar cell function, even though they had no pancreatitis symptoms.^[13][21]

References

1. 
   ^ ^{a b} “Gross and Microscopic Anatomy of the Pancreas”. Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


2. 
   ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Washabau, Robert J. (2009). “Canine Pancreatic Disease: What’s New in Diagnosis and Therapy?”. 34th Congress-World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


3. 
   ^ ^{a b c d e} Steiner, Jörg M. (August 2003). “Pancreatitis”. Clinician’s Brief-North American Veterinary Conference. Retrieved 9 April 2011.(PDF)
   


4. 
   ^ “Exocrine Sections of the Pancreas”. Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


5. 
   ^ “Acinar Cell”. Auckland Bioengineering Institute-University of Auckland. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


6. 
   ^ “Enteric Endocrine System”. Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


7. 
   ^ “Control of Pancreatic Exocrine Secretion”. Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


8. 
   ^ ^{a b c d e f g} “Big Steak Dinner”. Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2011. (PDF)
   


9. 
   ^ ^{a b c d} West, Laura D., Almy, Frederic S. “Diagnosing Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats by Laboratory Methods”. University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
   


10. 
    ^ Steiner JM. Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2003; 33: 1181-1195.
    


11. 
    ^ ^{a b c d} Armstrong, P. Jane (2011). “Canine Pancreatitis: Diagnosis and Management”. Western Veterinary Conference. Retrieved 8 April 2011. (PDF)
    


12. 
    ^ ^{a b c d} “Pancreatitis”. Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
    


13. 
    ^ ^{a b c d e f} “Diagnosing and Treating Pancreatitis”. IDEXX Laboratories. 2006. p. 3. Retrieved 21 April 2011. (PDF)
    


14. 
    ^ ^{a b c d e} Brooks, Wendy C. “Canine Pancreatitis”. Veterinary Partner. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
    


15. 
    ^ ^{a b c} Hoskins, Johnny D. (2002). “Can You Rule Out Pancreatitis?”. DVM 360. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
    


16. 
    ^ Williams DA, Steiner JM. Canine Exocrine Pancreatic Disease. In Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC (eds): Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Diseases of the Dog and Cat, 6th ed. St. Louis, Elsevier Saunders, 2005, pp. 1482-1487
    


17. 
    ^ Simpson, KW. Diseases of the Pancreas. In Tams T. (ed): Handbook of Small Animal Gastroenterology, 2nd ed. St. Louis, W. B. Saunders Co, 2003, pp. 353-365.
    


18. 
    ^ Xenoulis, Panagiotis G., Suchodolski, Jan S., Levinski, Melinda D., Steiner, Jörg M. (2007). Investigation of Hypertriglyceridemia in Healthy Miniature Schnauzers. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.tb01942.x.
    


19. 
    ^ Herrtage, Michael (2009). “New Strategies in the Management of Canine Diabetes Mellitus”. WSAVA. Retrieved 8 April 2011. (PDF)
    


20. 
    ^ “Abstract #216-Association Between Hyperlipidemia & Hypothyroid in Dogs”. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2004. p. 81. Retrieved 8 April 2011.(PDF)
    


21. 
    ^ “Mild Chronic Pancreatitis”. Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
    

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canine_pancreatitis&oldid=562201269”

Canine Pancreatitis - Whole Dog Journal Article

Features

November 2008 Issue

By Mary Straus

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis refers to a continuing, smoldering, low-grade inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms such as vomiting and discomfort after eating may occur intermittently, sometimes accompanied by depression, loss of appetite, and weight loss. In some cases, signs may be as subtle and nonspecific as a dog not wanting to play normally, being a picky eater, or skipping a meal from time to time. Chronic pancreatitis may periodically flare up, resulting in acute pancreatitis.

Dogs with chronic pancreatitis often respond favorably to a low-fat diet. Pain medication can be helpful in relieving the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis and may speed recovery.

Chronic pancreatitis is often subclinical and may be more common than is generally realized, with symptoms blamed on other diseases. It may also occur concurrently with conditions such as IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and diabetes mellitus.

Pancreatic functions In addition to digestive enzymes (exocrine function), the pancreas also produces insulin (endocrine function). Dogs who are diabetic may have an increased risk for pancreatitis. Conversely, a dog whose pancreas is damaged due to pancreatitis may develop diabetes, which can be either temporary or permanent; 30 percent of diabetes in dogs may be due to damage from chronic pancreatitis.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), when the pancreas is no longer able to produce digestive enzymes, can also result from chronic pancreatitis, leading to weight loss despite consuming large amounts of food. When the pancreas is damaged, diabetes is likely to show up several months before EPI.

Causes of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is often blamed on high-fat diets, though there is little scientific evidence to support this. Active, working dogs, such as sled dogs, can eat as much as 60 percent fat in their diets without developing pancreatitis, but too much fat may cause trouble for middle-aged, overweight, relatively inactive dogs, who are the ones most commonly affected by pancreatitis. Too much fat can also cause problems for some dogs with chronic pancreatitis.

Dietary indiscretion, such as eating rancid fatty scraps from the garbage, can also lead to pancreatitis, particularly when a dog accustomed to a low- or normal-fat diet ingests high-fat foods. That’s why pancreatitis incidents are thought to increase after Thanksgiving, when people may feed their dogs a meal of turkey skin and drippings.

Low-protein diets have also been shown to predispose dogs to pancreatitis, especially when combined with high fat intake. Some prescription diets may be a concern, such as those prescribed to dissolve struvite bladder stones; to prevent calcium oxalate, urate, or cystine stones; and to treat kidney disease; especially for breeds prone to pancreatitis.

Several medications have been associated with pancreatitis, most recently the combination of potassium bromide and phenobarbital used to control epilepsy. This combination has a much higher risk of causing pancreatitis than phenobarbital alone (no studies have been done on the use of potassium bromide by itself).

Many other medications have been linked to pancreatitis, though the relationship is not always clear. These include certain antibiotics (sulfa drugs, tetracycline, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin); chemotherapy agents (azathioprine, L-asparaginase, vinca alkaloids); diuretics (thiazides, furosemide); other antiepileptic drugs (valproic acid, carbamazepine); hormones (estrogen); long-acting antacids (cimetidine, ranitidine); Tylenol (acetaminophen); and aspirin (salicylates).

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are especially controversial: while veterinarians have long considered them to be the most common drug to cause pancreatitis, recent human studies have discounted this link. Based on anecdotal evidence, however, I believe the association does exist in dogs. I personally know dogs who developed pancreatitis within days of being given corticosteroids.

Pancreatitis can occur in dogs of any age, breed, or sex. That said, most dogs with pancreatitis are middle-aged or older, overweight, and relatively inactive.

Toxins, particularly organophosphates (insecticides used in some flea control products), as well as scorpion stings and toxic levels of zinc, may also lead to pancreatitis.

Certain conditions may predispose a dog to pancreatitis. These include diabetes mellitus (though it is not clear whether pancreatitis precedes diabetes); acute hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood, usually from a calcium infusion or poisoning rather than diet or supplements); hyperlipidemia (high fat content in the blood, again usually due to metabolic disorder rather than diet); hypothyroidism; and Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism).

Both diabetes and hypothyroidism can affect fat metabolism and lead to hyperlipidemia, which may predispose a dog to pancreatitis. Miniature Schnauzers are prone to developing hyperlipidemia and thus may have an increased risk of pancreatitis. Obesity predisposes dogs to pancreatitis, and the disease is often more severe in dogs who are overweight.

Pancreatitis can occur in dogs of any age, breed, or sex. That said, most dogs with pancreatitis are middle-aged or older, overweight, and relatively inactive. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Collies, and Boxers have been shown to have an increased relative risk of chronic pancreatitis, and Cocker Spaniels an increased relative risk of acute and chronic pancreatitis combined. Dachshunds have been reported to be predisposed to acute pancreatitis.

Other breeds mentioned as having an increased risk for pancreatitis include the Briard, Shetland Sheepdog, Miniature Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, terriers (especially Yorkies and Silkies), and other non-sporting breeds.

People sometimes develop autoimmune chronic pancreatitis, and it is theorized that dogs may as well. German Shepherd Dogs have been shown to develop immune-mediated lymphocytic pancreatitis, which predisposes them to pancreatic atrophy.

Pancreatitis has been associated with immune-mediated diseases, which may include IBD, though the cause-and-effect relationship is not understood. While there is no scientific evidence to support this, some doctors have suggested that food allergies could be a rare cause of recurrent or chronic pancreatitis. I think IBD could possibly be both a cause and an effect of pancreatitis, or that both could be caused by an underlying autoimmune disease or food allergy.

Dogs with immune-mediated pancreatitis may respond well to corticosteroids such as prednisone, which suppress the immune system, even though this drug has also been thought to cause acute pancreatitis.

Trauma to the pancreas, such as a result of the dog being hit by a car, can lead to inflammation and pancreatitis. Surgery has also been linked to pancreatitis, probably due to low blood pressure or low blood volume caused by anesthesia. Gallstones (choleliths) can block the bile duct, and thus the flow of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and can lead to pancreatitis in people; it is likely that the same would be true for both species (pancreatitis can also block the flow of bile from the gall bladder).

Other theoretical causes include bacterial or viral infections; vaccinations; obstruction of the pancreatic duct; reflux of intestinal contents up the pancreatic duct; impaired blood supply to the pancreas due to shock, gastric-dilatation volvulus (bloat), or other causes; and hereditary factors. In rare cases, pancreatitis can be caused by a tumor in the pancreas.

In most cases with dogs, the cause is never found. In people, pancreatitis is most commonly caused by alcohol abuse.

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