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.

Has your pet ever suffered from pancreatitis? If so read what Dr. Holly Mims has to say.

Pancreatitis- What we do and don’t know

Holly Mims, DVM, Dip. ACVIM

I was at a lecture given by Dr. Davis this weekend and one of the attendees inquired about pancreatitis.  His dog died acutely from pancreatitis despite aggressive medical care and he was wondering why this happened.  Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon scenario and one that the internal medicine doctors face regularly.  Pancreatitis is a frustrating disease.   I routinely have patients who can be treated as outpatients and those whose disease is so severe that they have to be hospitalized and despite our best efforts succumb to this disease.  When this happens we are all left with unanswered questions and a sense of loss.  What causes the disease to be mild for one dog and life threatening for others?  In some cases, we can identify a trigger and in others we never identify a cause.  As such, I thought I would put together some information on what we do know.

What is pancreatitis?  Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.  The pancreas is a digestive organ that is important in releasing enzymes that help to break down food.  Those same enzymes that break down food can be released locally within the pancreas itself and result in “autodigestion” of the pancreas creating inflammation.

Pancreatitis comes in two varieties: acute and chronic.  The acute form means that there is a rapid onset of action and this form is often the most severe.  Acute pancreatitis typically requires hospitalization and intensive supportive care.  It can also result in tissue death (necrotizing) and this is a life threatening form that often requires surgery to stabilize the patient and to remove the significantly inflamed tissue.  Hypovolemia (decreased intravascular fluid volume/dehydration) from vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia may contribute to the progression of the disease and severity.  The chronic form is typically less severe with waxing and waning clinical signs when the inflammation flares up.  This form can require hospitalization and supportive care for several days, but often can be managed on an outpatient basis.

We are not sure of all of the underlying triggers for pancreatitis, but experimental evidence suggests that low-protein, high-fat diets can induce pancreatitis.  Overweight dogs and cats are considered at greater risk.  This could be related to their diet or the fact that increased adipose tissue (fat) is associated with a chronic inflammatory state in the body.  Concurrent diseases such as Diabetes mellitus, Hypothyroidism, and Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) are also commonly reported in dogs with pancreatitis.   We also know that some breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzer are genetically predisposed to developing pancreatitis.

How can you prevent pancreatitis?  Maintaining a healthy weight and feeding a nutritionally balanced diet is a good start.  Avoid table scraps, left overs, or higher fat treats.  Yearly blood work (fasting) performed by your veterinarian will evaluate cholesterol and triglyceride levels, help screen for concurrent diseases, and can give us clues as to the potential risk of developing pancreatitis.  If clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or anorexia are present, seeking medical attention sooner rather than later can also be beneficial to prevent the progressive effects of dehydration.

Holiday Hazards For Pets From ‘Behavior Dogtor’ Dr. Rachel Malamed - CBS Los Angeles

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STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Should the host’s pet be a guest at a dinner party?

Dr. Rachel Malamed stopped by KCAL9 Friday to talk about the holiday hazard for pets and how to pet proof the house.

These are the tips she shared:

Table scraps

• Mother was right; don’t feed the dog under the table. Fat, gravies, rich meats, and other savory table scraps can be very dangerous for your pets, particularly dogs. It’s not unusual for dogs to come down with a life-threatening disease called pancreatitis after being offered too many “treats” by misguided, but loving, owners or after the animal has raided the garbage following a holiday feast. Pancreatitis causes profuse vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and in servere cases, death. Bring your dog into the veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has pancreatitis.

Candy

• There are a number of things in candy that is bad for pets, but among the worst is the wrapper. Dogs and cats won’t bother to un-wrap the candy, they’ll just swallow it, and the wrapper can cause an intestinal blockage. In fact, animals have been known to eat the wrapper by itself, because it smells good, and get a blockage. Keep candy out of a pets’ reach, and clean up those delicious wrappers.

Decorative injuries

• Your pets may enjoy seeing the new decorations in your home as much as you do.  Trees to climb, garland to hang from, extension cords to chew—the introduction of festive decor can cause potential injuries.  In a house with pets, a good method of avoiding tree climbing injuries for pets is to mount the Christmas tree to the ceiling or wall very securely using fishing line.  Hide extension cords away and don’t let your pets near them, along with other decorations.

Tasty decorations

• Some decorations are so pretty that they look good enough to eat.  Unfortunately, dogs and cats often take this sentiment literally.  Cats often eat tinsel, leading to severe intestinal problems that could require surgery.  Potpourri smells wonderful and people love to use it to  create  holiday ambiance.  Unfortunately, it smells so good that pets have been known to drink from the potpourri pot or even eat the wet, fragrant wood chips.  This can make an animal sick.

Flowers and plants

• Many times we put out new plants, flowers or trimmings, depending on the holiday, and these can be poisonous and deadly.  For example, poinsettias and mistletoe, common in Christmas celebrations, are dangerous if swallowed by a dog.  Don’t let your pet eat Christmas tree needles and don’t add any toxic chemicals to your Christmas tree water, because your pet may decide to take a drink under the tree.

Sugar-free snacks

• Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener in baked goods and sugar-free gum and candy.  It’s also poisonous for dogs.  It can be deadly, particularly if the animal gets into a lot of it, or it’s a small dog.  Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs includes depression, loss of coordination and seizures, and they can start in as little as 30 minutes after the animal has ingested the sweetener.  This is another reason to make sure you keep your pets away from holiday treats, table scraps and candy.

Chocolate

• Chocolate is a big part of many holiday celebrations, but not for pets.  The chemical that is poisonous to dogs is in the cocoa of chocolate, theobromine, so the darker the chocolate the deadlier. Be wary of pets sniffing around the new and popular extra-dark chocolates. Baking chocolate has by far the most theobromine, and can be deadly in small amounts.  Symptoms of theobromine poisoning can set in in just a couple hours, so call your veterinarian immediately if you discover your pet has consumed chocolate.  Save the wrappers of any chocolates consumed, because your veterinarian will want to know how much your pooch has consumed.

Guests

• Many pets can become downright panicked when faced with a lot of new visitors.  Some dogs and cats can become so upset that they can do damage your furniture and walls, themselves or your guest.  If you know your pet is uneasy about houseguests and you have some friends coming over, don’t not panic; consult with your veterinarian to find a solution.

Candles

• A lit candle can provide a real hazard.  Your animals could knock it down and set their fur, or your home, on fire.  Never leave a pet alone with a lit candle.

Pets as presents

• The American Veterinary Medical Association advises against giving pets as presents, because the recipient doesn’t have the opportunity to have an active role in selecting the animal … or the opportunity to consider the responsibilities of owning that particular pet.  Pets need healthy food, exercise, love, training, attention, and they need regular veterinary visits to keep them healthy and free of pain and distress.  Rather than giving a living pet on a busy holiday where the noise and activity may cause them distress, consider giving a “certificate” entitling them to help select a pet or wrap a water bowl or other item the new pet will need.

For more information, visit Behavior Dogtor.

Forbidden Foods To Keep Away From Your Dogs

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, remember to keep the following forbidden foods from your dogs.

Turkey bone: Absolutely no no. While it does not splinter as easily as chicken bone, it still splinters and can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Turkey skin: No because of high fat content and spices that can be on it. Spice in general is bad or even fatal to dogs. Dogs can suffer from a condition called pancreatitis when given too much fatty food.

Alcohol beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma, death. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning are slow respiratory rate, increased urination, wobbly movement, excited, uncharacteristic behavior, depression, disorientation, hypothermia, seizures and cardiac arrest.

Almond: Avoid nuts for dogs but a small amount of almond is fine according to the ASPCA. All nuts contain fats, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. High fat contents can also potentially leads to inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Many commercially sold nuts are salted which in large volume could potentially cause sodium ion toxicosis.

Cake: People food is generally not good for dogs. Most human cakes are made with high content of dairy products such as butter and milk that dogs cannot tolerate very well. It also contains high amount of sugar. Some may also contain chocolate or cocoa powder that is all potentially fatal to dogs.

Fat food: Can cause pancreatitis. Signs include abdominal pain, acute onset of vomiting, and diarrhea. A hunched posture can be a sign of Pancreatitis pain.

Fat trimmings: Can cause pancreatitis. Signs include abdominal pain, acute onset of vomiting, and diarrhea. A hunched posture can be a sign of Pancreatitis pain.

Ham: Should never be given to dogs due to its high fat content. While some dogs might be fine when given minimal amount as treats, it could trigger an attack of pancreatitis in others that need to be more cautious with fat levels.

Ice cream: People food is generally not good for dogs. Ice cream is a dairy product and most dogs cannot tolerate dairy products very well. It also contains high amount of sugar. Some may also contain chocolate or cocoa powder that is all potentially fatal to dogs.

Sugar-free candies: May be sweetened with Xylitol that can cause serious, possible life threatening problems for dogs.

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The Last Lesson We Learn From Our Pets, Ctd

A reader sends the above photo:

I don’t know you from Adam, but I do subscribe to your blog.  My wife and I just put our dog down yesterday. I attached a picture of him sedated. The vet tech gave him a shot and he went from panting in pain to this peaceful rest.  They gave us 10 or 20 minutes alone with him and then came in and administered the overdose of anesthesia.  We petted him while he passed on.

I often look to your blog to try and find comfort when things happen in the world.  I guess now I am looking for something on a personal level.  Thanks for listening.

Another reader:

I just read your post about Dusty and twice you used the phrase “put down” (the first time without quotes). For the love of God and all that’s holy – I’m an atheist – can we please start a movement to change that horrible phrase? Put down? That’s something you do to a phone or a bottle or a piece of luggage. It’s absolutely NOT what you do with a companion who’s been there through thick and thin; who’s been loved and loved in return. I very recently had to let go of my big Endymion, a gorgeous, amazing, friendly and loving cat of many years and I cry whilst writing this. I most certainly did not “put him down.” I let him go. Let go > put down.

Good luck with Dusty, you have my love and support.

Another:

I’m sure mine will be one hundreds of notes you get on this topic.  It’s one I have been thinking about for many

months now.  My dog, my very first dog, was diagnosed with incurable cancer last October.  With treatment, we were told he would like have a year.  And so treatment it was. It’s been nine months, and I have fought through an extended grieving process.  Beyond the medical treatments, the dog has suffered longbouts of anxiety that we have struggled to manage.  I have often found myself thinking that if it is this much of a struggle with the dog, what will happen when my now 60-year-old parents start to wind down their lives?  My dog, through his illness and eventual death, is teaching me how to plug ahead, and to love, cherish and find grace in a friend whose time is limited.

At the moment, things have normalized.  And we are loving the hell out of our buddy while we can.  His personality is back for the most part, as you can see in the included photo.

Another was better able to cope with the death of her 92-year-old grandmother after the loss of her pets:

In the last four years, we have had to put three pets to sleep.

Our first was our 12-year-old lab, Max, who suffered from severe hip dysplasia and then got cancer.  We opted not to do chemo because he was already feeble.  We tried some natural remedies that I do believe gave us a few more good months with him.  When we made the decision to put him down, he had stopped eating and could not pick himself up to walk outside.

Our cat got a cancer diagnosis about two years after Max was put down.  He was almost 19 years old and the cancer was in his nasal passage, which caused him to not be able to breathe very well.  We tried some medications to reduce the size of the tumor, but ultimately we had to put him down about a month after diagnosis, when his reduced oxygen intake made him disoriented and very weak.  His kidneys also started failing.

Our second lab, Cooper, who was our first “child” together (Max having come into our marriage from my husband and kitty from me) got a cancer diagnosis about a year after Max was put down, which resulted in us having to amputate one of his hind legs.  He rebounded from that almost immediately and enjoyed life as a tripod until last fall.  I had noticed that it was taking him some extra time to pull himself up to standing position and that he seemed to lose his balance more often.  He was 11, so I did not give it to much thought.  We had not noticed any new tumors in our check-ups.  Cooper always acted like a puppy and was so happy to be around us.  His behavior did not change as he got older; he was always a happy dog and, for some reason, chose me as his favorite person.  I liked to call him my 85-pound lapdog.

When he stopped eating for a few days, I immediately took him to the vet.  It was cancer again, but this time a different, more aggressive form than what led to the earlier amputation.  Hemangiosarcoma.   Cooper had tumors on most of his major organs.  These types of tumors were filled with blood vessels in danger of rupturing at any moment and causing massive internal bleeding.  In fact, it appeared that some of the tumors may have already ruptured, as his abdomen was partially filled with blood (which is why he would not eat). During the time these tumors were growing and spreading, he never act like he was in pain, he just appeared weaker than normal.  I would have to help him into our bed at night (where he normally slept) because he could no longer make the jump.  He needed a little assistance walking up steps.  He never stopped being the most loving dog, furiously wagging his tail anytime one of us was around.

When the vet confirmed the nature of the cancer and the risks of massive internal bleeding if one of the larger tumors ruptured, we made the decision that very day to put Cooper down.  While it had been difficult with Max and the kitty, because they both had seemed so physically and mentally ready to go, the grief in making the choice to end their suffering was somewhat manageable.  With Cooper, his overall personality remained fairly unchanged.  He was still so happy and loving at the time of his last diagnosis.  The staff at the vet hospital even remarked on what a happy tail-wagger he was.  That made it a much more difficult decision because I wanted to take him home and spend more time with him.

Knowing that the tumors on his organs could rupture at any moment and cause him to have a terrible, painful death, however, helped us make our decision.  We could not allow that to happen when we had a chance to ease him into wherever he would next be going.  We brought our kids to the hospital and we spent a good hour just hanging out with Cooper in a room by ourselves and saying our goodbyes.  When it was time, my husband took my kids out, and I laid down next to Cooper and held him and talked to him while the injections were made and for some time thereafter.

I miss him so much, and even though deep down I know we made the right decision for Cooper, I wonder if he could have comfortably lived a few more months.  On the other hand, I also wonder and fear that he had been in pain much longer than we ever knew, and his sweet, loving disposition just masked his pain and discomfort.

All of this is to say that the lives and deaths of Max, kitty, and Cooper have helped me get through other things in my life.  After we had put down Max and kitty, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 92.  She was at home with hospice care for several months.  I think having gone through the passing of Max and kitty helped me through the passing of my grandmother.  I had not previously lost any human member of my family that I was especially close to.  My grandmother’s passing in some ways helped me through Cooper’s death (she died about three months before he did), and his passing likewise helped me with accepting my grandmother’s death.

I wish the best for you and Dusty and just wanted to relay that, based on my experience with the four (or three)-legged loved ones in our lives, it is true that you will know when it is the right time to let them go.

The real reason I wanted to write to you, though, was to share a picture with you.  During our last moments with Cooper, my husband took a picture of the kids and me with him.  I was so torn up after putting him down that it took me two weeks to even look at the picture:

While the photo is a bit fuzzy, I hope you can see the extra-special twinkle in Cooper’s eye.  This was his last gift to me and so typical of who he was.

Previous reader stories here.

From Science to Miracle in 2 years: The Discovery of Insulin

A mere one hundred years ago, when people were diagnosed with diabetes, they were handed down a death sentence.  There was no treatment for the disease.  Children would become skeletons and die of severe weight loss in front of their families.

The first breakthrough in the search for a treatment came in 1879 with the discovery by Von Mering and Minkowski that removing the pancreas in dogs led them to develop all the symptoms of diabetes and die shortly after.  They proposed that the pancreas was involved in the metabolism of sugars. 

In 1921, Banting and Best replicated this earlier result and took it a step further – working under the supervision of Macleod they showed that they could restore diabetic dogs to their normal state by injections of an extract of produced by the Islets of Langerhans obtained from healthy dogs. 

With this result in a dog model of diabetes they subsequently recruited Dr. Collip, a biochemist, they who helped them extract a reasonably pure formula of insulin from the pancreas of cattle. This painstaking process of refinement of the technique for extracting insulin required many tests in rabbits in order to evaluate the potency and safety of the insulin preparations.

In January, 1922, the first human patient, a diabetic teenager named Leonard Thompson, became the first person to receive an injection of insulin. The improvement was so astonishing, nearly miraculous, that the news about this medical breakthrough traveled the world within days.

An early patient: before and four months after treatment with insulin.

The University of Toronto gave pharmaceutical companies license to produce insulin free of royalties (would this count as an argument against the notion that universities merely seeking financial gain for their work?).  In early 1923, just one year after the first test injection, insulin became widely available and has saved countless human lives since.  Banting and Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their work.

This is only one of multiple stories about how animal research has benefited mankind.  This is research that will benefit you, your children, and all future generations.  An honest discussion of the use of animals in scientific research must acknowledge these facts, how we arrived at them, and recognize that despite the difficult ethical decision to use dogs in the discovery of insulin, today millions of humans are alive thank to the work of scientists engaged in biomedical research.

Dario Ringach