Like us, our dog friends also have a pancreas, an organ of vital importance for the proper functioning of the digestive system of the can and that, in addition, affects the entire body, since it releases glucagon and insulin, two hormones related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, therefore, by affecting nutrition, it has a systemic impact on our pet.
Food and digestive processes are of vital importance so that our dog can enjoy an optimal state of he alth, however, sometimes a disorder may appear that affects nutrition and affects the entire body. organism. In this article on our site, we talk about the causes and treatment of pancreatitis in dogs, a serious pathology that must be treated quickly.
What is pancreatitis in dogs?
The term pancreatitis literally means inflammation of the pancreas, but due to the important functions of this organ, this condition goes much further beyond a simple inflammatory state. To understand the damage that occurs in the pancreas, let's first learn about one of its main functions.
The pancreas synthesizes digestive enzymes that are prepared to be activated in the stomach and facilitate the digestion of food, on the other hand, when there is pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated in the pancreas and causethe digestion of it, which causes enormous inflammation in this organ and damage that can sometimes become irreparable.
Types of pancreatitis in dogs
We can distinguish two types of canine pancreatitis:
- Acute pancreatitis: Symptoms come on suddenly and are very definite and easily noticeable.
- Chronic pancreatitis: the symptoms are not as intense as in acute pancreatitis, in this case the disease develops very slowly and it is long lasting. Structural changes occur in the pancreas and symptoms return despite treatment.
In the attached illustration, we can see an approximation of the visible differences between a he althy pancreas and an inflamed one, that is, pancreatitis.
Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs
The following symptoms should alert us, because if we observe them in our pet they may be indicating the presence of pancreatitis:
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weightloss.
- Respiratory difficulty.
- Arrhythmia.
- Gaps.
- Excessive drooling.
- Whine.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal swelling.
- Apathy.
- Pain.
- Fever.
- Depression.
It is essential to go to the veterinarian for a diagnosis, although there is no specific diagnostic test, the veterinarian will perform a blood and stool test as well as an ultrasoundto confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis and assess the damage that has occurred to the organ.
What are the causes of pancreatitis in dogs?
The exact cause of pancreatitis in dogs is not known, but it is known that the appearance of this disease is closely linked to nutrition, because the following factors have been very clearly identified as risk factors:
- Obesity dogs.
- Diets with excess fat.
- Food with a high percentage of proteins.
In addition to the causes related to the dog's diet, pancreatitis can also be caused as a consequence of other diseases, such as the following:
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Renal problems.
- Infections.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
You may also be interested in this other article on Symptoms of a sick dog.
Treatment of pancreatitis in dogs
Sometimes there is no cure for pancreatitis, as the damage caused is irreversible. In this case, the only option is to administer a palliative treatmentthat improves the patient's quality of life and definitively establish a low-fat diet.
If you have acute pancreatitis, it is usually enough to remove food and water intake for one day to stop the secretion of digestive enzymes, subsequently returning to the usual diet progressively.
However, in any case, digestive enzymes are usually prescribed to allow our pet to properly digest food and restore its body weight. The administration of digestive enzymes can be complemented with anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the symptoms of pain and inflammation.
The only preventive tool we have against pancreatitis in dogs is to feed our pet properly in order to avoid excess body weight.
Home remedies for pancreatitis in dogs
Since the treatment for pancreatitis in dogs is based on a correct diet and/or the administration of enzymes, we cannot say that there are home remedies as opposed to the usual treatment, since the treatment already has a very natural base and, in a certain way, "homemade". Of course, there are no home remedies to replace palliative treatments for pain and inflammation, since to relieve our pet's pain we can only supply the medications prescribed by our veterinarian.
Other frequently asked questions about pancreatitis in dogs
If you want to know more about pancreatitis in dogs, you may have some of these questions:
How long does pancreatitis last in dogs?
Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs can last approximately 3 days to 12 weeks In cases of chronic pancreatitis in dogs, the symptoms will appear fluctuating throughout the life of the dog, which is why it is important to provide it with an adequate diet and visit the veterinarian regularly.
Is there a cure for pancreatitis in dogs?
As we explained, pancreatitis in dogs is curable, as long as it is detected early and the treatments are carried out Otherwise, irreversible damage to the body could occur and the disease could even become chronic.
Can a dog die from pancreatitis?
Unfortunately, neglected cases of pancreatitis in dogs can kill the animal. For this reason, it is vitally important to go to the vet at the first alarm symptoms.
Is pancreatitis in dogs contagious?
As we have mentioned, pancreatitis in dogs is inflammation of the pancreas due to problems related to nutrition. Therefore, pancreatitis is not contagious, since it is not caused by a pathogen such as viruses, bacteria or fungi.
What can a dog with pancreatitis eat?
For a dog with pancreatitis to digest its food better, we can use homemade he althy food, dry food specially formulated for dogs with digestive problems, or wet food for dogs, also specially prepared for dogs with this problem. Of course, it will always be our veterinarian who recommends the best for our dog.
