Pancreatitis in dogs is inflammation of the pancreas, a glandular organ in the abdomen that produces digestive enzymes and insulin. Signs of canine pancreatitis include not eating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. While there are hundreds of reasons for a dog not eating, pancreatitis is always a possibility, especially if the dog has any of the signs listed below. And, make no mistake about it, acute pancreatitis is life-threatening.
Signs of Worsening Pancreatitis
Signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, loss of appetite, painful abdomen (which can look like a hunched up appearance, or the dog may posture like the yoga pose downward dog), lethargy, and fever.
Pancreatitis can be acute, meaning it comes on all of a sudden with no warning, or chronic. Acute pancreatitis can be severe and life-threatening. Many of these dogs must be hospitalized for intravenous fluids and supportive care. Chronic pancreatitis tends to cause waxing, waning symptoms repeatedly over time. Chronic pancreatitis requires careful, long-term management.
Signs of worsening pancreatitis in dogs include:
- Protracted vomiting not controlled with medication
- Unrelenting abdominal pain despite pain meds
- Weakness
- Shock
- Abnormal bleeding (due to disseminated intravascular coagulation)
- Collapse
- Trouble breathing
- Death
If you believe your dog is suffering from pancreatitis, get to the veterinarian immediately. This is an emergency. Call the clinic on the way to give them a heads up that you’re arriving. (This is yet another reason to know the name, phone number, and location of the nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic.)
Pancreatitis also occurs in a chronic-active form, with milder symptoms that come and go. These dogs will intermittently need the help of antiemetic and pain-relieving medications and should always be fed low-fat food forever.
Causes of Canine Pancreatitis
The most common cause of pancreatitis in dogs seen in general veterinary practices is dietary indiscretion with ingestion of high-fat food, aka getting into the garbage or stealing butter or other high-fat foods off counters.
Other causes of pancreatitis include hormone imbalances, certain medications, trauma to the abdomen (like if dog is hit by car), and obesity. Some breeds are more predisposed to pancreatitis than others including Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkies, Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels.
Risk Factors for Pancreatitis
Schnauzers sometimes suffer from a condition called hyperlipidemia, which predisposes them to pancreatitis. Otherwise, predisposing factors for pancreatitis include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s syndrome (overactive adrenal glands)
- Some medications
Diagnosis of Pancreatitis
If your dog is showing signs of pancreatitis, your veterinarian will likely take an abdominal X-ray to rule out other potential causes. Baseline blood work is done for the same reason. Your veterinarian may also run a blood test called specific canine pancreatic lipase (SPEC cPL), which is much more sensitive and specific for pancreatitis than the older tests veterinarians used to have to rely on (lipase, amylase). Many veterinary hospitals can run this test in-house. With results immediately available, your dog can get the treatment he needs right away.
For chronic cases, your veterinarian may recommend an abdominal ultrasound, as this can provide useful information regarding severity, which helps in determining prognosis.
Treatment for Pancreatitis in Dogs
Treatment for acute pancreatitis in dogs usually involves hospitalization. Intravenous fluids are administered to combat dehydration, restore circulation to the pancreas and aid healing, and to prevent shock.
Pain management is of the utmost importance. Pain medications are administered by injection in the hospital because vomiting dogs cannot hold down medications.
Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications (antiemetics) are also administered by injection. Once vomiting has stopped, small amounts of low-fat food will by started by mouth.
Panoquell-CA1 (fuzapladib) is an intravenous medication conditionally approved by the FDA for treatment of acute pancreatitis in the veterinary hospital. This drug prevents damaging white blood cells from entering the pancreas where they exacerbate the damage to the inflamed organ. This is exciting news, as anything that helps prevent worsening pancreatitis in dogs is paramount to a successful outcome with this serious illness.
Dogs who recover from severe, acute pancreatitis may suffer from diabetes in the aftermath, depending on how severe the damage to the pancreas was (remember, the pancreas produces insulin).
Once the pancreatitis is under control, your veterinarian may discuss low-fat dietary changes with you to for long-term maintenance.
