Pancreatitis in Dogs

Symptoms :

The veterinary community recognizes that dogs have two levels of pancreatitis: mild and severe.

Mild Pancreatitis:

• Swelling or pain in the abdomen

• Discomfort or unable to find a comfortable place to lie down

• Dehydration

• Loss of appetite

• Bent over a hump while standing or walking

• Vomit

• Diarrhea, oily, yellow

• Heat

• Severe pancreatitis

Dogs with more severe cases of pancreatitis may experience these symptoms; however, they are more likely to have more severe symptoms that can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. 

Severe Symptoms :

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation

• Arrhythmia

• Sepsis

• Difficulty breathing

Causes :

It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of pancreatitis. (One of the most common risk factors is clear food, which can sometimes be triggered when dogs eat high-fat foods. Severe trauma or surgery can also cause pancreatitis, which is related to the use of certain medications. )

There are many causes and risk factors for pancreatitis, including:

• High-fat diet (this is the main cause of pancreatitis, especially for dogs who eat a large meal at a time)

• Obesity

• Hypothyroidism (or other endocrine diseases)

• Severe blunt injury

• Diabetes 

Human food is particularly dangerous, especially high-fat foods are most likely to cause pancreatitis. Therefore, during holidays and other festivals, the owner needs to be especially vigilant.

Treatment :

Avoid Do-It-Yourself Treatments While many pets benefit from holistic medicine and natural treatments, there are times when a vet should evaluate some conditions. If you prefer to treat illnesses through a holistic route, there are plenty of certified holistic vets available that can help immediately treat your dog's pancreatitis.

It's crucial that you never attempt do-it-yourself treatments such as tips read on the internet or 'cures' that work for people; dogs and humans are not the same, and they do not respond similarly to certain foods and chemical substances. While you may think that you're administering a 'calming herb' to your dog, you may actually be worsening their condition or even poisoning them. This is a serious condition and should always be assessed by a trained professional.

Prevention :

Although pancreatitis can't be completely prevented, these following tips will help reduce the risk of pancreatitis in Dogs:

• Don't make your dog overweight-weight management is as important to our four-legged friends as we are!

• Avoid high-fat diets.

• Avoid giving your dog table scraps

• Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian all the medications your dog is receiving.

• Don't let your dog come into contact with trash!

• Learn about chronic pancreatitis in dogs.