Pancreatitis & Diabetes In Dogs Can Pancreatitis In Dogs Be Spread From One Pet To Another?

Can Pancreatitis in dogs be spread from one pet to another? – pancreatitis & diabetes in dogs

We have taken our dog, a few months. Toward the end, he developed pancreatitis (among many other things, he has) in recent years, such as diabetes and epilepsy. We have) a new dog (dog and I’m cleaning the teeth with the toothbrush you use up on my other dog’s teeth clean. I know it can be like a good idea, but never a toothbrush that often anyway. He was only 4 when we settled. Is it possible that pancreatitis can my dog to spread my ex-dog again with the same toothbrush? I prefer when a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or even someone with experience in biology could answer this question. Thank you.

Do pets get diabetes?

The answer is – YES. Dogs and cats can develop diabetes. Luckily, treatment is available.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin (Type I) or is unable to effectively use the insulin is does produce (Type II). In either case, serious health disturbances result.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, necessary for processing blood sugar (glucose). Without insulin, blood sugar passes into the urine, rather than being used by body tissues.

When body tissues are starved for sugar, they begin to break down and no longer function normally, resulting in:

• cataracts


• skin sores and infections


• urinary and respiratory infections


• pancreatitis


• neuropathy


• vomiting and dehydration


• coma and death

The kidneys, liver, heart, and nervous system can also suffer as a result of diabetes.

Type I diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and is often seen in older, overweight female dogs and in cats.

Type II diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is often seen in cats, but is rare in dogs.

What signs should I look for in my pet?

• excessive thirst and urination


• weight loss


• poor appetite


• weakness, inactivity


• vomiting


• dandruff and unkempt appearance (scruffy coat)


• muscle wasting


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  plantigrade stance in cats (see photo)
  
  
  
  
  

  Click to enlarge. Photo by Jennifer Miele.

  
  
  
  

What causes diabetes?

• genetic predisposition


• viral infection


• pancreatitis and other diseases


• hormone-type drugs


• obesity

Is there a cure?
No, diabetes is not curable, but it can be controlled.

What kind of treatment is available?
Insulin injections and a specialized diet are indicated for Type I diabetes. You will learn how to give your pet its insulin injections at home. You may also need to monitor its blood sugar and urine sugar levels.

Type II diabetic patients may require a specialized diet and feeding schedule, along with blood sugar monitoring.

Nearly all diabetic patients require some amount of exercise, and female patients should be spayed to prevent hormone fluctuations from disturbing blood sugar levels.

As for diet, low carbohydrate, low fat, high fiber, high protein diets work best. Your pet’s veterinarian or vet specialist will recommend a suitable diet to manage glucose levels and weight. Hill’s Pet Nutrition has formulated m/d, r/d, and w/d to address various issues concerning diabetic dogs and cats.

Will pet insurance help me manage the cost of treatment?
Yes.*  In fact Veterinary Pet Insurance reported in 2010 that its fifth most common health claim for cats was diabetes. In 2011, diabetes dropped to number six on the list, but still represented a large number of claims.
*Important: if your pet is diagnosed with diabetes before you sign up for pet insurance, it is considered a pre-existing condition and may not be covered. Pet health insurance is best started when your pet is young and healthy.

Note: The information above is a partial explanation of diabetes, its symptoms, and treatment. There are other types of diabetes that are not mentioned here.
This article is not a substitute for medical care. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. If you believe your pet has an illness, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian today.

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Resources:
Hill’s Pet Nutrition publication
Instructions for Veterinary Clients
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary
Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice
The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult

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Pancreatitis and Diabetes in a Golden Retriever Dog

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. In chronic cases, the pancreas is permanently damaged, causing fibrous scar tissue. This can result in diabetes mellitus due to insufficient insulin production. According to the American Diabetes Association, in Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, “the body does not produce insulin, which is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.” Golden Retrievers are prone to Type 1 diabetes.

The Pancreas

The pancreas is an elongated, tapered gland that lies behind the stomach and across the back of the abdomen, except for its head, which lies within the curve of the duodenum. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), one function of the pancreas is to secrete “digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids.” The second function is to “secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate the level of glucose in the blood.”

Diabetes

Diabetes, according to the AMA, is “a disorder in which the pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin, the hormone responsible for the absorption of glucose into cells for their energy needs and into the liver and fat cells for storage.” Consequently, blood glucose levels elevate, causing excessive urination, constant thirst and hunger, weight loss and fatigue. Type 1, the more severe form of diabetes that can afflict Golden Retrievers, requires insulin dependency. It develops rapidly, probably due to an immune response after a viral infection, and destroys the pancreas’ insulin-secreting cells.

Canine Pancreatitis

Many things–certain medications, infections, metabolic disorders, trauma and shock–can cause canine pancreatitis. High-fat diets and greasy table food can also cause pancreatitis in dogs. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever, which may lead to severe dehydration and hypovolemic shock. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, “Acute pancreatitis commonly occurs in the middle-aged, obese female dog.” Treatment begins with fluid therapy to restore hydration and to balance electrolytes, and may also include a low-fat diet.

Canine Diabetes

According to Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, juvenile diabetes occurs in young dogs, is often genetic and may occur in related animals. Type 2 diabetes most commonly occurs in middle age to older dogs. Females are more prone to both types. In addition, overweight dogs and dogs with pancreatitis are predisposed to diabetes. Untreated diabetic dogs are more likely to acquire all types of infections–including bladder, kidney and skin–as well as cataracts, and possibly nerve or muscle dysfunction.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Certain medications, infections, metabolic disorders, trauma and shock can cause canine pancreatitis.

WSU states that “the diagnosis of diabetes is made by finding a large increase in blood sugar and a large amount of sugar in the urine. A blood screen of other organs is obtained to look for changes in the liver, kidney and pancreas.” Treatment depends upon the type of diabetes, the severity and complications, if any. Dogs may require once or twice daily insulin injections, which owners administer. If your dog exhibits any signs of pancreatitis or diabetes contact your veterinarian immediately for a complete health care assessment.

Q & A: Best Diet for Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus

I have a 10-year old, male, 4-kg Miniature Pinscher that has been on twice daily NPH insulin injections (0.75 U/kg per injection) for the last 6 months. Because of his diabetes, we have been feeding Hill’s Prescription w/d diet. Overall, the serum glucose curves are quite good, the polyuria and polydipsia have resolved, and the dog seems to feels great. However, despite being well controlled, the dog has been losing weight and has lost over 1.5 kg since diagnosis.

The main problem is that the dog continues to be ravenous and is loosing weight. Despite being well controlled on his blood glucose curved, the dog has lost over 1.5 kg since diagnosis.

Am I feeding the wrong diet? I thought that all diabetic dogs did best when fed a high fiber diet such as Hill’s w/d.

My Response:

First of all, there is not one type of diet that is recommended for all dogs with diabetes. Diabetic dogs can do well when fed a number of diets as long as they are nutritionally complete and balanced, do not contain simple sugars, are fed at consistent times in consistent amounts, and are palatable to ensure a predictable and consistent appetite. As we all know, it’s difficult enough to regulate a diabetic when they are eating consistently well— if they refuse to eat their diet, adequate glucose regulation can become next to impossible.

In many newly diagnosed diabetic dogs, I don’t change their diet at all.  The most important dietary factor in the diabetic is consistency, so that you can match your insulin dose to the degree of post-prandial hyperglycemia. The owner must understand that the key is to feed the same amount of the same diet at the same time every day!

In general, the goals of dietary therapy in canine diabetes mellitus are four-fold:

1. Optimize the dog’s body weight and body condition score (i.e., weight loss versus weight gain, as needed)


2. Minimize post-prandial hyperglycemia


3. Control hyperlipemia and hypertriglyceridemia


4. Modify the diet based any concurrent conditions (e.g., pancreatitis, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease)

Optimize Body Weight
In diabetic dogs that are obese, I always recommend feeding a reduced calorie diet designed to help the dog lose weight. The high fiber diets are good for this purpose (1-4). No matter what diet is fed, however, it’s also important to limit the amount of fat in the diet when weight loss is the goal. To me, an appropriate weight loss diet should contain restricted amounts of fat — less than 30% on a metabolizable energy (ME) basis, which means <30% of the calories in the diet supplied by fat.
(For more information about how to calculate ME values for fat, protein, and carbohydrates, see Calculating the Metabolizable Energy (ME) Values of a Dog Food, below.)

In underweight dogs with diabetes, the goal of dietary therapy is the complete opposite. In these thin dogs. our priority is to normalize body weight and restore and preserve muscle mass. These dogs may never regain the weight needed if a food with moderate to high amounts of fiber is fed — they may even continue to progressively lose even more weight. Therefore, these thin to emaciated dogs should be fed a high-quality, higher energy diet that can contain a slightly increased fat content to ensure that they regain their lost body weight (3,4).

Minimize Post-prandial Hyperglycemia
Several “older” landmark studies showed that feeding high-fiber diets can improve glycemic control in dogs with diabetes (1,2). The extra dietary fiber slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, and thereby helps to minimize post-prandial hyperglycemia (1-4).

However, there are disadvantages in feeding all diabetic dogs a high-fiber diet. Again, because these diets tend to promote weight loss, they are not suitable for the thin or emaciated dog with diabetes (5). In addition, the high dietary fiber content of the food can result in unwanted side effects, including inappetence, diarrhea, and flatulence in some dogs.

Other more recent studies fail to show a clear-cut clinical benefit of feeding a high-fiber diet over a typical adult maintenance diet with moderate-fiber content to diabetic dogs.  In one study, no significant differences in insulin requirements or glycemic control were found in dogs fed a high-fiber, moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-fat diet versus an adult maintenance diet with moderate fiber, lower carbohydrate, and higher fat (5). As expected, weight loss occurred when the dogs were fed the high-fiber diet, whereas body weights were maintained with the moderate-fiber diet.

For any dog food, the major potential influence on the postprandial glycemic response is the dietary carbohydrate source (6-8). Foods and snacks containing simple sugars which rapidly increased blood glucose should always be avoided, of course. Feeding carbohydrate sources that have a low glycemic index (e.g, sorghum and corn) are preferred for diabetic dogs. Carbohydrates with a higher glycemic index (e.g., rice) are best avoided (6).

Because dogs are omnivores, they can tolerate higher amounts of carbohydrates better than do diabetic cats. Therefore, I recommend a diet that is moderately restricted in carbohydrate content — that is, a diet with <30% metabolizable energy (ME) as carbohydrates— for diabetic dogs to limit their post-prandial glucose load and help control hyperglycemia.

Control Hyperlipemia and Hypertriglyceridemia
A diet containing restricted amounts of fat (again, <30% ME) should be fed to diabetic dogs with concurrent hypertriglyceridemia or hyperlipidemia (4,9).

The presence of hyperlipidemia (i.e., hypertriglyceridemia and, to a lesser degree hypercholesterolemia) has long been associated with pancreatitis in dogs (9). Hyperlipidemia is common in untreated or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and may contribute to the concurrent pancreatitis that can develop in these diabetic dogs. For my diabetic patients with concurrent pancreatitis, I’ve had good luck with the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low-Fat LS diet — it contains the lowest amount fat of any of the commercial diets (15% ME for fat), and most dogs find it quite palatable.

However, some dogs with diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis also have partial loss of exocrine pancreatic function and can be at risk for excessive weight loss when fed a low fat diet. One approach for the underweight diabetic dog with hypertriglyceridemia is to consider restricting dietary fat intake only after adequate glycemic control has been established. In these dogs, both body weight and serum triglyceride concentrations are followed carefully, and dietary adjustments are made as needed.

High Protein Diets in Canine Diabetes?
The optimal dietary protein for diabetic dogs has not been determined. But it does not appear that the protein requirement for a diabetic dog would be much different than a non-diabetic dog. However, because we frequently aim for either carbohydrate or fat restriction (or both), dietary protein will often provide a substantial source of calories for diabetic dogs (for example, protein >30% ME).

Calculating the Metabolizable Energy (ME) Values of a Dog Food
The most accurate way to evaluate pet foods and their composition is to consider the calories or metabolizable energy (ME) that comes from the protein, fat, and carbohydrate fractions (10). This allows us to compare various diets without worrying about their different fiber, ash, or moisture content.

Remember that the percent carbohydrates, fat, and protein of any diet can be expressed in at least 3 ways — as fed, on a dry matter basis, or on a metabolizable energy (ME) basis. Depending on how the diet composition is expressed, the same food may list a percent carbohydrate value that appears to be very low to rather high (for example, 5% or 25%). As an analogy, if you buy hamburger at the grocery store and the label says it’s 90% lean and 10% fat, you might determine that it is composed mostly of protein and is low in fat. But if you calculate the composition of the hamburger on a caloric or energy basis (ME), the hamburger is actually half fat and only half protein. That’s why the ME basis is the best to really determine what we are actually feeding.

However, unless you are able to obtain the ME values for a diet from the company (always the best way), you may need to estimate the values from the guaranteed analysis (GA) listed for the diet. I like to use the Guaranteed Analysis Converter found on the Balance IT Professional web site to help make this calculation easier (11). The actually calculations are not that difficult but are somewhat cumbersome to perform (10).

The Bottom Line
Dogs should never be fed a high-fiber diet just because they have diabetes. Many dogs do just as well on other maintenance diets containing lower amounts of fiber and carbohydrate and higher amounts of protein. A consistent diet —that is, the type, amount, and time of feeding —is generally much more important in diabetic regulation than any particular fiber content or specific type of diet.

References:

1. Nelson R, Duesberg C, Ford S, et al. Effect of dietary insoluble fiber on control of glycemia in dogs with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1998;212:380–386. 


2. Graham PA, Maskell E, Rawlings L. Influence of a high fibre diet on glycaemic control and quality of life in dogs with diabetes mellitus. Journal of Small Animal Practice 2002;43:67–73. 


3. Rucinsky R, Cook A, Haley S, et al. American Animal Hospital Association.AAHA diabetes management guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 2010; 46:215-224. 


4. Zicker SC, Nelson RW, Kirk CA, et al. Endocrine Disorders. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, Roudebush R, Novotny, BJ (eds), Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Mark Morris Institute. 2010; 559-584.


5. Fleeman LM, Rand JS, Markwell PJ. Lack of advantage of high-fibre, moderate-carbohydrate diets in dogs with stabilised diabetes. Journal of Small Animal Practice 2009;50:604-614. 


6. Rand JS, Farrow HA, Fleeman LM, et al. Diet in the prevention of diabetes and obesity in companion animals. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003;12 Suppl:S6.


7. Elliott KF, Rand JS, Fleeman LM, et al. A diet lower in digestible carbohydrate results in lower postprandial glucose concentrations compared with a traditional canine diabetes diet and an adult maintenance diet in healthy dogs. Research in Veterinary Science 2011;96; 288-95. 
   


8. Nguyen P, Dumon H, Biourge V, Pouteau E. Glycemic and insulinemic responses after ingestion of commercial foods in healthy dogs: influence of food composition. Journal of Nutrition (12 Suppl):2654S-2658S. 


9. Xenoulis PG, Steiner JM. Lipid metabolism and hyperlipidemia in dogs. The Veterinary Journal 2010;183:12-21. 


10. Laflamme DP. Determining metabolizable energy content in commercial pet foods. Journal of Animal Physiolology and Animal Nutrition (Berlin). 2001; 85:222-230. 


11. Balance IT Professional Website. Guaranteed Analysis Converter.