The pancreas is a small but very important organ. Its main function is to secrete digestive enzymes and other substances that help in the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. In addition, it is responsible for the production of extremely important hormones for the regulation of metabolism, such as insulin and glucagon [1].
When this organ full of important functions becomes inflamed, we have pancreatitis, which results in damage to the pancreatic tissue, which can be acute or chronic. In mild cases of acute pancreatitis, there are no changes in the vascular mechanisms of the pancreas or involvement of other organs. In most of these cases improvement is observed without the need for treatment. In this sense, food plays an important role. Therefore, in this article on our site we tell you how to feed a dog with pancreatitis
Types of pancreatitis in dogs
Before talking about how to feed a dog with pancreatitis, it is important to know the types that exist. In acute cases, the clinical presentation can range from mild to severe and may or may not affect the organ's vascular function. The patient may have several suggestive symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, prayer position to relieve pain, lack of appetite, and pain in the abdominal region, which constitutes a medical emergency. Acute pancreatitis, when not diagnosed early and treated correctly, can lead to death.
On the other hand, chronic pancreatitis is characterized by alterations with a longer evolution time, and may appear gradually, hidden or periodically. In these cases, the organ presents irreversible changes, which cause pain and permanent loss of function [2]The vascularization of the pancreas is severely altered, it is possible to observe changes in other organs and the condition tends to progressively worsen [3]
A great effort has been made by researchers to find a universal and multidisciplinary classification of the various forms of pancreatic inflammation, in addition to several studies that help in the early diagnosis of the disease[4] Diagnosis is not always easy , as pancreatitis in dogs has similar symptoms to several other gastroenteric pathologies, requiring a combination of diagnostic strategies, such as laboratory and imaging tests, in addition to a good physical examination performed by the veterinarian and a detailed history of the animal's habits.
Dogs more likely
How do I know if my dog is at risk of developing pancreatitis? Well, although we can't always detect the cause, some factors can predispose the dog to the disease, such as:
- Middle-aged and older animals.
- Neutered dogs.
- Females.
- Overweight dogs and consumption of food with excess fat.
- Dogs with unbalanced diets.
Some researchers say miniature schnauzers, poodles and cocker spaniels are most affected, but all dogs can develop the disease [3].
In this other article we talk in depth about the Symptoms and treatment of canine pancreatitis.
Food for dogs with pancreatitis
The treatment of pancreatitis involves several stages and must be instituted by a veterinarian, who will know the appropriate time for each of them. A very important part of this treatment is knowing what a dog with pancreatitis can eat, since food can act as a preventive and curative treatment, and can be carried out by the guardian at her home.
There are currently several commercial speci alty foods for dogs with pancreatitis These rations have the right amount of protein, carbohydrates and fat to provide enough energy to the animal, without excessively and harmfully stimulating the pancreas, since the organ needs to rest to recover. These rations can be found in dry or wet form, the latter being easier to administer with a syringe directly into the mouth of the patient, who may be reluctant to eat.
As for the type of food or brand, we recommend choosing the one recommended by the veterinarian handling our dog's case or opting for those brands that use natural ingredients, of quality and suitable for human consumption The size of the croquettes for dogs with pancreatitis, in case of choosing dry food, will depend on the conditions of the dog itself, its age, size, state of teeth…
Foods for dogs with pancreatitis
Now then, what happens if the animal does not accept industrialized food? Can we prepare homemade food for a dog with pancreatitis? The answer is yes, but always under the advice of the veterinarian, because if the appropriate knowledge is not available, the animal could suffer nutritional deficiencies.
The diet should contain high-quality protein from a single source, that is, if you want to know which foods your dog should avoid with pancreatitis, we emphasize that you should not mix several types of meat in the same meal to facilitate the functions of the pancreas. Remember that the important thing here is to help the organ as much as possible. Carbohydrates should be of high quality, preferably gluten-free and lactose-free Fat should be absent or in extremely low amounts. Skip high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods like bread and try avoiding commercial treats like leather bones or pig ears [5] Instead, it is preferable to choose homemade treats with the aforementioned characteristics.
Try to maintain a ratio of 25% protein, less than 5% fat, about 5% carbohydrates, and the remaining 65% water [6]. You can also use meat or vegetable broth.
Is pancreatitis in dogs curable?
Yes, pancreatitis in dogs is curable! But the outcome of the disease will depend on several factors, such as early diagnosis and correct treatment. As soon as the guardian realizes that the animal is not in its normal state, presenting acute vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea and abdominal pain, they should take it to the veterinarian, since in most cases will need intravenous hydration and diet
If treatment is not started in time, the animal may die or develop chronic pancreatitis, resulting in irreversible damage to the pancreas, even becoming diabetic. Some dogs will have to eatTherapeutic diets for the rest of their lives or use a balanced homemade diet.
How to prevent canine pancreatitis?
Although in most cases it is not possible to know exactly what triggered the inflammation of the pancreas, we can avoid some high-fat foods so as not to force this body to work more than necessary.
The dog's diet must be balanced, without excess carbohydrates and fats. Thus, the foods that we should avoid giving to the dog are:
- Fat treats
- Leather Bones
- Pizza
- Meats with a lot of fat
- Cheese bread
- White bread
- Sauces
- Fat cheeses
- Chicken Skin
Dogs that have an unbalanced homemade diet or that tend to eat fatty snacks are more likely to develop the disease.
Other care for dogs with pancreatitis
Anyone who lives with a dog being treated for pancreatitis should always be alert to the signs that it presents. The behavior of the animal should be observed, if it has difficulty lying down and getting up, if it is in a position of prayer or pain relief, if it complains when touched on the abdomen, if it ingests enough water, if it is salivating (which may indicate nausea), if your stools are of normal texture and color, and if you have an appetite.
We always have to offer fresh water and not use coconut water, since it contains fat, which will be harmful in this case. An isotonic drink or homemade serum can also be used. The important thing is to keep the animal always well hydrated.
Under no circumstances attempt to treat the condition yourself. Always seek a veterinary doctor to make the correct diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. And remember that pancreatitis is an emergency and can't wait.
Now that you know how to feed a dog with pancreatitis, you may be interested in the following video in which we talk about the BARF diet, also suitable for dogs with pancreatitis, adapting it to their needs:
