Understanding Pancreatitis in Dogs

The inflammation of a dog’s pancreas—called Canine Pancreatitis—is a relatively common but potentially dangerous gastrointestinal condition. Canine pancreatitis can be acute or chronic, but both types can have lasting consequences and affect your dog’s quality of life.

If you believe your dog has canine pancreatitis, it’s important to recognize the symptoms, take your dog to the veterinarian, and get a good prognosis. This can help treat the disease and return your dog to its happy, lively self.

What Is Pancreatitis in Dogs?

The pancreas, an organ in the abdominal cavity, helps produce digestive enzymes that help break down food. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, this condition is called pancreatitis.

Dog pancreatitis can result in a loss of appetite, dog vomiting, and abdominal pain. If your dog contracts pancreatitis, you might notice them continually adopting a “prayer position” where they raise their hindquarters and dip their head down to offset the pain.

Pancreatitis in dogs can lead to dehydration, discomfort, and even chronic pain. The inflammation caused by pancreatitis is caused by the release of an enzyme that causes the pancreas to digest itself. It can make your dog lethargic, lead to different behaviors, and cause weight loss.

If you believe your dog has pancreatitis you must contact your veterinarian immediately. Early intervention is key in diseases like dog pancreatitis and will help prevent worse and chronic symptoms.

What Causes Pancreatitis?

Pancreatic enzymes are usually inactive as they travel through the pancreatic duct to a part of the small intestine. As they reach the small intestine they then begin digestion.

With dog pancreatitis, these enzymes prematurely activate in the pancreas. This “time release capsule” bursts early, and the enzymes digest earlier than they should. This leads to digestion of the pancreas, inflammation, and pancreatitis.

Clinical signs of dog pancreatitis can look like different things, and the intensity of the disease depends on the amount of enzymes being released and prematurely activated. While the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it can be triggered by fatty meals and corticosteroid administration. Your veterinarian will be able to give you more information on the disease.

Your dog’s veterinarian will administer the SNAP/cPL blood test to measure the level of pancreatic lipase in their blood. This test assesses the health of the pancreas by comparing a sample spot to a reference spot, to see if the PL concentration is normal. Your veterinarian may administer this test if your dog has abdominal pain, anorexia, or vomiting.

Pancreatitis Symptoms in Dogs

Sudden onset (acute) pancreatitis and long-term (chronic) pancreatitis have different signs.

Signs of acute pancreatitis:

• Sudden and severe lethargy
• Persistent vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Shock and collapse

Signs of chronic pancreatitis:

• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Chronic pancreatitis is not as common as acute dog pancreatitis, and the symptoms are not as sudden or severe. Chronic pancreatitis can develop into worsening conditions and should be treated by your dog’s veterinarian.

Some breeds, such as Schnauzers, as well as obese dogs have a higher risk of pancreatitis, and your veterinarian may take additional tests along with their bloodwork when determining diagnosis and treatment.

Dogs experiencing pancreatitis may also be dealing with hypocalcemia, a condition where there is not enough calcium in the blood. Hypocalcemia is a complication of acute pancreatitis, caused when pancreatic enzymes are activated and damage the pancreas. If your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with hypocalcemia, they may take steps to treat this disease alongside pancreatitis by correcting your pet’s calcium levels.

What’s the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis?

Acute Dog Pancreatitis is sudden, with no previous signs of the condition. When left untreated acute pancreatitis can be life-threatening and damage other organs if the inflammation spreads.

Chronic Dog Pancreatitis develops slowly over time without symptoms and can develop from repeated acute pancreatitis.

While these conditions can vary from mild to severe, they both result in pain and can lead to worsening conditions. If you believe your dog has pancreatitis and the condition is worsening, contact an emergency vet immediately.

How Is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?

While the disease can be difficult to identify, pancreatitis in dogs has signs that can be observed by your veterinarian.

Pancreatic-specific blood tests will lead to a suspicion of pancreatitis, and while these tests are not 100% accurate, they may lead to other tests including abdominal X-rays and abdominal ultrasound.

If the pancreatitis is developed enough, the tissue could be abnormal and can be visualized using ultrasound. This is more easily observed in dogs with acute and severe pancreatitis, and overall blood testing and ultrasounds will help your veterinarian diagnose the disease.

What Is the Prognosis of Pancreatitis?

Depending on the severity of the disease, and your dog’s response to treatment and therapy, dogs can handle the prognosis differently. Mild forms of pancreatitis have a good prognosis with sudden, aggressive treatment, but untreated dogs can develop the hemorrhagic form  (severe bleeding in the pancrease) of the disease, suffering severe consequences and even death.

Treatment of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Dog pancreatitis can be treated with supportive care, whether or not they have acute or chronic pancreatitis.

Treatment for dog pancreatitis includes:

• Veterinarian-approved pain medications
• IV fluid and electrolyte support
• Nutritional support
• Appetite stimulants
• Stomach medications
• Antibiotics
• Immunosuppressants for chronic illness
• Bland, low-fat diets
• Dog food for sensitive stomach

The length and aggressiveness of treatment depend on the severity of the symptoms when the dog was taken to the veterinary hospital, and how long the symptoms have been present. Dogs with mild pancreatitis can be treated as outpatients, but severe cases will require hospitalization and specialized treatment.

The cost of treatment is also based on severity—pet parents can end up paying anywhere from $500 to $5,000 depending on the case of dog pancreatitis.

Recovery and Management of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Depending on the severity of the illness, recovery and management can look different.

Severe dog pancreatitis results in a poor to grave prognosis, longer recovery, and a greater risk of negative outcomes. Recovery from mild pancreatitis can happen in a week or two, and you can help by closely following your veterinarian’s instructions and adding to your dog’s comfort. Give them a quiet space to rest in and administer their medications as directed.

Your dog might experience several mild bouts of pancreatitis. If your dog has pancreatitis more than once, they might benefit from a low-fat diet and better health management, including appetite stimulants. Just one instance of dog pancreatitis can result in scarring of the pancreatic tissue, which can lead to diabetes or EPI.

While symptoms of pancreatitis might not be specific to the pancreas, an earlier diagnosis will result in earlier treatment and better recovery.

Food for Dogs With Chronic Pancreatitis

Dogs with acute pancreatitis are more likely to be recommended vet-approved prescription dog food. This food is either low-fat or ultra-low-fat, so as to not cause more inflammation of the pancreas. Dogs with chronic illnesses might have to switch to a low-fat diet for the rest of their lives.

Your dog’s nutritional needs are influenced by weight, stage of life, health status, allergies, and activity. You should always speak with your vet before you change your dog’s diet.

Dogs with pancreatitis can benefit from strict diets, such as:

• Low-fat meats
• Chicken breast or lean beef
• Beef organs such as kidney and liver
• Ricey/barley
• Egg whites
• Plain, low-fat yogurt
• Cooked plain vegetables

Prevention of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Dog pancreatitis is difficult to prevent since it can often come from unknown causes.

Diet is commonly linked to dog pancreatitis, and you should refrain from feeding your dog human foods such as table scraps and high-fat foods. Dogs with underlying health conditions also have an increased risk of contracting dog pancreatitis.

Regular veterinary check-ups, medications for chronic health conditions, and strict diets can reduce the risk of dog pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Dog pancreatitis can be difficult to diagnose, tough to deal with, and frustrating to treat. You need a veterinarian who can treat dog pancreatitis, provide you with more information, and diagnose the disease before it becomes difficult to manage. Contact Paoli Vetcare for more information about dog pancreatitis and other common dog illnesses. We love to discuss treatment options, appointments, and more.

FAQ

Can Supplements Be Used to Prevent or Manage Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Dog pancreatitis is a serious condition, and home remedies cannot be used in place of veterinary intervention and proper medication. Some vets do believe that digestive enzyme supplements can help reduce the work of the pancreas and thus inflammation.

Fish oil is high in fat content, but can help lower blood lipid levels. Vitamin E can be used in conjunction with fish oil to help dogs with acute pancreatitis, and Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and methionine have been studied in humans to help prevent pancreatitis.

As always, speak with your veterinarian first before giving your pet any supplements.

Will There Be Any Long-Term Problems?

Most dogs recover from acute pancreatitis without long-term consequences of the illness. Severe or chronic episodes of pancreatitis can result in problems however, including diabetes, EPI, secondary conditions, and an overall decrease in health.

What Are the Signs of Worsening Pancreatitis in Dogs?

Dog pancreatitis can worsen if not treated promptly. Look for signs of dehydration, lethargy, weakness, and pain. Dogs who aren’t eating might have an advanced condition. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.