What is Pancreatitis in Dogs?
Pancreatitis in dogs is an illness that needs to be carefully monitored and dealt with in order to provide your furry pal as many healthy years as possible.
Pancreatitis in dogs is one of the conditions that dog owners should know about before it strikes because the warning signs are generally not that obvious and it could be mistaken for something less critical. However, it could be life threatening for your pet
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. Since it is so dangerous, any suspicions of pancreatitis in your dog must be addressed by a veteranian as soon as possible.
More details about the early signs of pancreatitis and what are the causes of pancreatitis and treatments for pancreatitis in dogs can be found on this page.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Pancreatitis can cause obvious changes in your dog’s health and behaviour. Knowing the symptoms of Pancreatitis in dogs is the first step in protecting your dog’s wellbeing. If any of these signs apply to your pet, bring your pet to your veterinarian for a checkup:
- Hunched Back
- Repeated Vomiting
- Dog Appears Uncomfortable
- Bloated
- Diarrhea
- Loss Of Appetite
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Weakness
- Exercise Intolerance
- Collapse
- Pale Or Bluish Gums
Please Note: The information provided in this article is designed to help inform you regarding pancreatitis. It is not meant to replace the veterinary diagnosis or treatment for pancreatitis. If you have any concerns or questions about your canine’s health or possible symptoms, make to contact and consult with your vet right away.
The Main Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs
To understand and treat pancreatitis in dogs, you need to understand the underlying causes of pancreatitis in dogs. This can help you prevent pancreatitis occurring in the first place or again.
Despite the fact, the pancreatitis attack appears seemingly out of the blue, there are several factors that causes pancreatitis in dogs. Some of the main cause of pacreatitis in dogs include:
- A high fat diet
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Severe blunt trauma
- Diabetes mellitus
- Certain medications or other toxins
- Genetic predisposition
Diagnosing Pancreatitis in Dogs
No one knows your pet better than you do and therefore it is important that your dog be examined thoroughly by a veterinarian annually.
Usually, your vet will use any one the following to treat pancreatities in dogs:
- Medical history of your pet
- Measure pancreatic enzymes with blood tests
- Physical examination of stomach, gums and heart
- Check the temperature
- Rule out other causes with radiographs or ultrasound
- Fine needle aspiration of the pancreas
Chat to your veterinarian to understand more about the treatments for pancreatitis in dogs.
Preventing Pancreatitis in Dogs
Preventing pancreatitis in dogs is always more ideal than treating it, hence let’s explore ways to avoid pancreatitis in dogs rather than curing it.
To not to appear weak or vulnerable to predators, the innate survival instincts make dogs conceal illnesses. This implies extensive physical examinations by a qualified vet are crucial to keep your animals healthy. Generally, blood and urine tests carried out by your vet are required to get the complete picture of your animal’s health. These preventive checks steps will identify any health problems sooner making treatment more effective and less pricey and, more significantly, will help your pet dog live a longer, healthier life.
Since pancreatitis is such a serious condition, home remedies should not be used over veterinary intervention. Although, some veterinarians believe that digestive enzyme supplements with pancreatin could potentially help some dogs through decreasing the work of the pancreas and preventing pancreatic secretion.
Another supplement that could help prevent pancreatitis in dogs is fish oil. Fish oil may seem contradictory, because of their high fat content, but it can actually assist in lowering your dogs blood lipid levels.
Ultimately, it is always advised that you speak with your vet before providing any supplements to your dog.
Treatment for Pancreatitis in Dogs
Your pets pain must be managed, first. An early intervention to prevent further complications is key to treat pancreatities in dogs. The most common treatment and management options are:
- Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy in the case of severe pancreatitis
- Vigorous monitoring in the event of a worsening condition
- To prevent dehydration with antiemetic medication for vomiting
- Withholding food and water for 24 hours for resting the pancreas
- Vigilant monitoring of fat intake
- A prescription diet of gastrointestinal supportive low-fat food
- Check amylase and lipase levels regulary by a vet
Talk to your vet to learn more about the treatments for pancreatitis in dogs.