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! 

Pancreatitis in Cats & Dogs Part 1: Introduction, causes, symptoms & diagnosis

The pancreas (image) is an organ in the body located next to the small intestine just after the stomach. It has two primary functions. It is an integral part of the digestion of food and it is the primary organ responsible for regulation of blood sugar in the body. When the pancreas is diseased, it can result in a very painful and debilitating condition called acute pancreatitis (Image). Disease of the pancreas may also cause diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or chronic pancreatic insufficiency, EPI. (Image) EPI results in the inability of the body to digest foods properly. Pancreatitis has been documented in dogs for many years. Until recently it was not thought to exist in cats. We are now recognizing this disease more frequently in cats due to better diagnostic aids.
A recent study has shown that acute pancreatitis. is almost as frequent in cats as dogs. Chronic forms are more common than acute forms. Pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatic cancer are less common than inflammatory disease. Other forms of pancreatic disease in cats are cysts and pancreatic parasites.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas resulting from auto digestion by prematurely activated zymogens.(1) It is the most common disorder of the canine exocrine pancreas and is being diagnosed more frequently in cats as awareness increases and diagnostic tools improve.(1,2) The disease can be classified as acute (reversible following removal of inciting cause) or chronic (irreversible changes from on-going inflammation), and mild or moderate to severe.(1) Cats tend to have more of a chronic disease than dogs.(2) The diagnosis of pancreatitis is usually presumptive, as pancreatic biopsy is not always an option. Although several diagnostic tests have been advocated for use in the diagnosis of pancreatitis, many of them are not sensitive enough to be clinically useful.
The main causes of acute pancreatitis may be caused from an on-going or long-term viral infection, poor diet, stress and from certain medications. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis are similar to chronic pancreatitis. Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis can include, but are not limited to moderate to severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, reduced mental acuteness, abdominal swelling, weight loss and fatty stools. Symptoms of an acute pancreatitis or inflammation are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, anxiety, fever, abdominal gaseous fullness, abdominal indigestion, chills, fatty stools, anxiety and weight loss.
The Merck Veterinary Manual defines as causes of the disease: “Pancreatitis in dogs can be caused by a high fatty diet, eating a large fatty meal at one sitting, obesity, an underlying condition, some medications, and genetics. For example, some dogs that are fed pork products or dark chocolate develop pancreatitis as a result of the sudden amount of fats that enter the body. In some cases the cause of pancreatitis is termed ‘idiopathic’ meaning the cause of the condition remains unknown.”
Dr. Laura West, D.V.M. and Dr. Frederic Almy, D.V.M. write in their abstract “Diagnosing Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats by Laboratory Methods”: “The underlying cause of most cases of pancreatitis is usually unknown in both dogs and cats; however, there is a considerable list of associated risk factors. Obese animals as well as animals fed a diet high in fat are more prone to developing pancreatitis.(1,3) Hyperlipidemia has been associated with pancreatitis, although it is unclear whether it is a result of the pancreatitis or part of the cause. Certain breeds of dogs are considered predisposed to developing pancreatitis, such as the miniature schnauzer or terrier breeds.(1,3) A large number of drugs and drug classes have been thought to cause pancreatitis in people, but a direct causal relationship has not been established. Drugs used in veterinary medicine that may be associated with pancreatitis are numerous and include L-asparaginase, azathioprine, estrogen, furosemide, potassium bromide, salicylates, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazide diuretics and vinca alkaloids, among others.(1,3)
Additional causes or risk factors for pancreatitis include exposure to scorpion venom, zinc toxicosis, hypercalcemia, congenital anomalies of the pancreatic duct system, reflux from the duodenum into pancreatic ducts (secondary to surgical creation of a closed duodenal loop, blunt trauma, or vomiting), surgical manipulation (rare), pancreatic ischemia and endocrinopathies (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism).(1,3)
In cats, toxoplasma gondii and Amphimerus pseudofelineus (hepatic fluke) have an established causal relationship with pancreatitis. Feline infectious peritonitis and panleukopenia have also been implicated. As in the dog, blunt trauma, surgical manipulation and ischemia can result in pancreatitis. Organophosphate intoxication and inflammatory diseases of the liver and intestines are also implicated as causes.(2,3)
In the normal pancreas, proteolytic and phospholipolytic enzymes are synthesized, stored and secreted as inactive zymogens and it is these enzymes that are utilized in the majority of diagnostic tests for pancreatitis. The pancreatic zymogens are only activated once they are cleaved, a process which does not normally occur until they reach the small intestine. Once in the small intestine, enteropeptidases from duodenal enterocytes cleave trypsinogen to make trypsin, which can then activate other zymogens.(1)
Pancreatitis is the end result of a cascade of events but is ultimately caused by the autodigestion of the pancreas.(4) Current literature suggests that this cascade of events begins with a decrease in secretion of pancreatic enzymes in response to some noxious stimulus.(4) Subsequent to the decreased secretory activity, abnormal fusion of lysosomes and zymogen granules results in premature, intrapancreatic activation of trypsinogen.(1,4)
When premature activation of trypsinogen occurs, there are mechanisms in place which limit the activation of other zymogens. First, trypsin is very effective at hydrolyzing itself. Second, pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor is synthesized, stored and secreted with the digestive enzymes. If significant activation of trypsin occurs within the acinar cell or duct system, this molecule will inhibit trypsin activity. Additionally, α-macroglobulin and α1-proteinase inhibitor are protease inhibitors in the plasma.1 However, once inhibitory mechanisms are overwhelmed, more zymogens become activated, inflammatory mediators and free radicals are released, and pancreatitis develops.(1)
Common clinical signs in dogs with acute pancreatitis include anorexia (91%), vomiting (90%), weakness (79%), and abdominal pain (58%).(1,5) Abdominal palpation may reveal a cranial abdominal mass.(1,3) A retrospective study of 70 cases of acute canine pancreatitis reported dehydration in 97%, icterus in 26%, fever in 32%, abdominal pain in 58%, and obesity in 43% of dogs at the time of initial examination.(5) Other systemic complications can include respiratory distress, bleeding disorders and cardiac arrhythmias.(1,3)
On the other hand, cats have extremely variable histories and clinical signs. More typical clinical signs include anorexia (97%), lethargy (100%), and dehydration (92%).(6) Vomiting and abdominal pain, while common in the dog, are less frequently reported in the cat (35% and 25%, respectively).(6) Other clinical signs reported include hypothermia, dyspnea, diarrhea, ataxia, and weight loss.(6) Pancreatitis in cats has a tendency to occur with certain other diseases, such as cholangiohepatitis/cholestasis, nephritis, diabetes mellitus, and inflammation or ulceration of the intestines.(2,3)
The cause for acute pancreatitis in most cases is not known. Several cases have been reported that were caused by trauma, abscessation of the pancreas, ingestion of certain food borne toxins, and of pancreatic duct obstruction. In cats, infectious agents such as toxoplasma, herpes virus, FIP, and feline parvo virus may cause pancreatitis. Some cases of liver disease may also cause pancreatitis, such as cholangiohepatitis and fatty liver disease in cats. Clinical signs are non-specific. Fever, rapid heart rate and vomiting, abdominal pain were observed as well as lethargy loss of appetite, and dehydration. Other signs include respiratory distress, and icterus (jaundice). Diagnosis is made by history, clinical signs, x-ray and ultrasonography. The latter is most helpful in the diagnosis. A blood test called the trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) has been very helpful in the diagnosis of the disease. High blood sugar levels are also common with the disease in cats and some cats become diabetic following recovery from acute episodes of pancreatitis. Newer tests are now available, but the tests are still not one hundred percent reliable. Most of the diagnostics are performed by clinical signs. Ultrasound is proving to be invaluable in the process of ruling out other diseases.
The most common cause of pancreatic insufficiency is chronic pancreatitis. With chronic pancreatitis there is an absence of digestive enzymes. Therefore, food will pass through the digestive tract without being absorbed. Thus, a form of malabsorbtion of food occurs. This form of pancreatitis in cats is commonly accompanied by diabetes since both the digestive as well as the insulin producing cells of the pancreas are involved. Clinical signs of chronic pancreatitis include soft, pale and voluminous stools, weight loss, greasy soiling of the area around the rectum, and sometimes the entire hair coat.
Note: Treatment of animals should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
Sources:
Merck Veterinary Manual
Laura D. West, DVM and Frederic S. Almy, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVP
VCA Columbia Animal Hospital
Images: Hill’s pet Food
References
1. 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.
2. Steiner JM, Williams DA. Feline 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. 1489- 1491.
3. 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.
4. Steiner JM. Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2003; 33: 1181-1195.
5. Hess RS, Saunders HM, Van Winkle TJ, et al. Clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in dogs with acute pancreatitis: 70 cases (1986-1995). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 Sep1; 213(5): 665-70.
6. Hill RC, Van Winkle TJ. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis and acute suppurative pancreatitis in the cat. A retrospective study of 40 cases (1976-1989). J Vet Intern Med 1993; 7: 25-33.

What Causes Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is an inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. This can occur in a mild or severe form. Cause of spontaneous pancreatitis in dogs is not well understood. Dog taking corticosteroids are at increased risk. There is a higher incidence of pancreatitis in dogs with Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and idiopathic hyperglycemia (Miniature Schnauzers disease). The disease is associated with high blood lipid levels. Pancreatitis is also more common in overweight women and spayed dogs on high-fat diet. Attacks can be triggered by eating fatty table scraps or food.

Cushing’s disease in dogs is one of the most neglected of diseases of the dog, as the symptoms are often mistaken to be a natural part of aging dogs. Also referred to as hyperadrenocorticism, it is possible to improve your dog’s health and cure Cushing’s disease in dogs, but it is important first to recognize the symptoms. Some of the most common that a lot is:

Increase water intake

Increased frequency and quantity of urination (this may include having your dog pee in the house today before it does not matter)

An increase in appetite, which can lead to food stealing and begging

A pot belly or abdominal bloating

Weight gain

Lethargy

Excessive panting

A dull, dry and thinning hair coat

Calcified bumps on the skin

Diabetes

Pancreatitis in dogs

Convulsions

The real tip off when it comes to Cushing’s disease in dogs usually pet owners are aware that they are drinking a lot more water than he used to be, and no understandable reason (i.e. you do not just go for a 10 mile jog, but your dog is drinking water as if he’d only).

Acute pancreatitis is characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and severe pain in the abdomen. Dogs may have a tucked-up belly and assume the position of prayer. Abdominal pain is caused by the release of digestive enzymes into the pancreas and surrounding tissues. Diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, and shock may occur.

Diagnosis may be suspected based on physical examination. This is confirmed by blood tests showed high amylase and / or lipase levels, together with a new test called serum lipase immuninol pancreatitis dog reactivity and TAP (trypsinogen activation peptide). Abdominal ultrasound may reveal enlarged and swollen pancreas.

Mild pancreatitis produces loss of appetite, depression, intermittent vomiting, and diarrhea and weight loss.

Fulminant necrotizing pancreatitis is a very severe form of acute, usually fatal pancreatitis. Within hours, your dog will go into shock. The dog may vomit or just showing signs of severe abdominal pain. If you suspect this problem, get your dog to the vet immediately!

Following the attacks of pancreatitis, the pancreas can be damaged permanently. At that time, the dog may develop diabetes mellitus if the islet cells have been destroyed or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency may develop if the acinar cells have been destroyed.

Treatment: Dogs with acute pancreatitis requiring hospitalization to treat shock and dehydration. The most important step in treating pancreatitis gland to rest completely. This is done by giving the dog anything by mouth for a few days and maintains fluid and electrolyte balance with intravenous saline solution. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Pain is controlled with narcotics. Cardiac arrhythmias, if any, treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Dogs that do not respond to medical treatment may require surgery to drain the infected pancreas. The prognosis for dogs with poor shock and diffuse peritonitis.

Dogs that recover from pancreatitis are prone to recurrent attacks, which can be mild or severe. This episode can be prevented, in part, by eliminating the predisposing factors. For example, overweight dogs put on a weight loss program.

Total daily feed ration into two or three smaller meals to avoid over stimulating the pancreas. Do not feed table scraps. Dogs with high blood lipid levels (determined by a veterinarian) should be placed on the restricted fat diet. If scarring has damaged acinar cells or islands, your dog may require additional treatment such as enzymes or insulin.

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Aug 14, Pancreatitis In Dogs -- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Pancreatitis in dogs can be a life-threatening condition, but early recognition and treatment can improve chances of recovery.

Pancreatitis is simply an inflammation of the pancreas.

So what’s a pancreas?

It’s a little gland located near the stomach.

The pancreas has two main jobs.

Its first job is to produce enzymes that help digest food.

Its other job is to produce insulin, which regulates the blood sugar level.

Pancreatitis in dogs is usually divided into chronic and acute cases.

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are milder and are often mistaken for other illnesses.

While chronic pancreatitis is the milder form of the two, it’s a continuing inflammatory disease that’s often accompanied by slow, irreversible damage.

Acute pancreatitis is usually more severe, but when it’s over, there’s no remaining damage to organs.

So basically, pancreatitis can be acute and only occur once in a dog’s lifetime or it can become chronic and keep returning over and over again. It can be a rapidly life threatening illness or a mild attack of pain that resolves in a few hours or a day or so.

There’s another very severe form of this condition called necrotizing pancreatitis, in which the damage is so severe that portions of the pancreas are actually destroyed. Some authors refer to this as hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

This form of pancreatitis can be fatal and requires early intervention and aggressive treatment.

In a large number of cases, the cause of pancreatitis remains unclear.

However, there are certain things that we know are associated with the disease.

The most important factor is what your Golden Retriever eats.

Dogs with diets high in fat, and dogs who have recently gotten into the trash or have been fed greasy table scraps, seem to have a higher incidence of the disease.

A single high fat meal can cause pancreatitis in a dog whose normal diet is moderate or low in fat. That’s why there’s a rash of pancreatitis cases at vet clinics around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter every year. People just can’t resist sharing their high fat leftovers with the family dog.

Some other factors contributing to the development of pancreatitis in dogs include: Obesity Lack of exercise Certain medications Long-term use of corticosteroids Cushing’s disease High calcium levels in the blood High triglyceride and/or cholesterol levels in the blood Blood clotting disorders Liver disease Chronic kidney disease Trauma Recent abdominal surgery
As with most diseases or conditions, certain dog breeds are more susceptible to pancreatitis than others. Miniature Schnauzers have a genetic susceptibility to the disease.

Other dogs that seem to be more predisposed to this condition are Yorkshire and Silky Terriers, Dachshunds, Miniature Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels.

The disease occurs usually in middle aged to older dogs, and overweight dogs are at a higher risk. It seems to affect females a little more frequently than males. Dogs with diabetes are also more at risk than others.

The most common symptoms of pancreatitis are fever, lack of appetite, depression, vomiting, and signs of abdominal pain–such as standing with front legs down on the ground as in a bowing position.

Other pancreatitis symptoms include: Dehydration (sunken eyes, dry mouth, dry skin) Diarrhea or yellow, greasy stool Lethargy Depression Weakness Irritability Rapid heart rate Rapid breathing Difficulty breathing Redness of the gums Signs of shock
Pancreatitis in dogs mimics several other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Some of these most common “look alike” conditions are: Acute gastroenteritis Inflammatory bowel disease Intestinal obstruction

While there is no definitive test for pancreatitis, your veterinarian will try to make a diagnosis through information obtained from: Medical history (especially what your dog eats) Physical exam Laboratory tests Radiographs (X-rays) Abdominal ultrasound CAT scan Biopsy (occasionally)
The treatment your veterinarian selects will depend on the severity and duration of the illness. Dogs with a mild case of chronic pancreatitis may be treated at home, while those with a severe case of acute pancreatitis will require hospitalization and intensive care.

Resting the pancreas and gastrointestinal system is the most important key to your dog’s recovery.

That means no food or water by mouth for at least 24 hours to 48 hours.

The second major part of the treatment is the administration of large amounts of intravenous fluids.

Most dogs with pancreatitis are dehydrated from recurrent vomiting and diarrhea.

Other treatment measures include drugs to control vomiting, pain medications, and sometimes antibiotics to control or prevent bacterial infection.

Once the patient seems to feel better, he’s allowed to drink a bit of water. If he doesn’t vomit in the next 12 to 24 hours, he can graduate to solid food. He’ll probably be given small meals of a bland, easily digestible, low-fat food.

Over the course of a week or more, the amount of food can be gradually increased. Most dogs can go home once they’re able to eat and drink again.

Dogs with severe pancreatitis can recover, but may also develop fatal complications, including: Shock Abnormal bleeding and clotting Heart arrhythmias Liver or kidney damage Abdominal inflammation and fluid accumulation Sepsis (internal infection from bacteria and toxins) Breathing difficulties
Pancreatitis can be a very unpredictable disease. In most cases, if the attack was mild and the dog only had one episode, chances of recovery are good. Simply avoiding high fat foods may be all that’s needed to prevent another attack and/or complications.

Most vets generally prescribe a low-fat, high-fiber diet for pancreatitis in dogs, to help speed recovery and to prevent future episodes.

Depending on your dog’s situation, the diet recommendations may be for life or he may be able to gradually return to his former food, if it’s low enough in fat.

Although most dogs can eat an occasional high-fat meal without a problem, once a dog develops pancreatitis, a high-fat meal will often cause another episode.

High-fat treats should be avoided. Keeping your dog away from the table during holiday meals can be very helpful, too. And make sure he can’t get into the garbage!

In addition to eating low-fat dog food, your Chunky Charlie needs to get on a serious weight loss program and join you on the jogging trail. Keeping him slim and trim will ward off future pancreatitis problems–and make him feel better, too!

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Pancreatitis Causes

Most cases of acute pancreatitis are closely related to gallstones and alcohol consumption, although the exact cause is not always clear.

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas of patients to be active when they are inside the pancreas. This causes damage to the pancreas. During normal digestion in healthy individuals, inactivated enzyme produced in the pancreas to move through the pancreatic duct.

What could be causing chronic pancreatitis?

Body can produce gall bladder stones as poor eating patterns, body acids, hormonal changes, lack of regular exercise, or overweight and being obese. Gallstone size can range upwards from a piece of sand size. Uncontrolled alcohol consumption also leads to chronic pancreatitis. Regardless of these factors, pancreatitis can occur because of damage or injury that occurs in the pancreas. The accident also interferes with the function of this gland.

Acute Pancreatitis

The exact cause of acute pancreatitis is unclear, but most experts think that it has to do with a chemical called trypsin. Trypsin is an enzyme produced by the pancreas. It is used to help break down proteins in food to aid digestion.

When trypsin is produced by the pancreas remains in a state of ‘inactive’ and do not have digestive properties. It is not until it is removed from the pancreas and into the intestines can become active and begins to break down proteins.

It is estimated that something causes trypsin to become active while still in the pancreas and that it may begin to break down cells of the pancreas. As a result, begin to digest the pancreas itself, causing it to become irritated and inflamed.

Other causes

Common cause of acute pancreatitis

Accidental damage to the pancreas that occurs during this type of surgery known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which is used to remove gallstones or check the pancreas or surrounding tissue

Certain types of medications, such as some antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs – Acute pancreatitis can be a side effect that is unexpected in a small number of people

Viral infections such as measles and smallpox

Consumption of alcohol

It is not fully understood how alcohol causes inflamed pancreas. One explanation is the ethanol in the alcohol molecules affects the normal working of pancreatic cells, getting them to activate trypsin prematurely.

Cause, there is a clear connection between alcohol use and acute pancreatitis, and a lot of alcohol that you consume or you drink, the higher your risk.

Some studies have found that people who regularly drink more than 35 units of alcohol a week were four times more likely to develop acute pancreatitis than those who did not drink alcohol (equivalent to 35 units of about 16 cans of drink strong beer or four bottles of wine a week).

someone who is drinking or consuming a lot of alcohol in a short time, it is believed to be able to increase the risk of developing acute pancreatitis.

Gallstone

Gallstones are hard pieces of material such as stones can form when your bile (digestive juices) have too much cholesterol in it. Sometimes gallstones can move out of the gallbladder and block the gap (channel) of the pancreas.

It is estimated that the blockage causes interference in the chemical reactions that occur in the pancreas. This could lead to activation of trypsin in the pancreas and trigger the inflammation process.

Severe pancreatitis

Little is known about why some people develop severe acute pancreatitis. Factors thought to increase the risk include:

Be 70 years or more

Obesity – a person is considered obese if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
had two or more alcoholic drinks a day

Cigarette

The researchers also found that people with a particular genetic mutation, known as MCP-1 mutation, eight times more likely to develop severe acute pancreatitis than the general population. A genetic mutation in which instructions (DNA) is found in all living cells become scrambled, resulting in genetic abnormalities or changes in characteristics.