Pancreatitis in dogs, or inflammation of the pancreas

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a disease with a high risk of mortality, causing necrosis of pancreatic tissue. In dogs, pancreatitis occurs most often in old age. In order to detect this disease in time and prevent the occurrence of associated pathologies, you should know the symptoms of pancreatitis, as well as how to avoid its development.

How pancreatitis develops in dogs

Under the influence of provoking factors, an inflammatory process occurs in the pancreas.
The release of enzymes that ensure digestion in the intestines stops. Food is not digested and the supply of nutrients to the body stops. Since the enzyme systems in the organ continue their work, the tissues of the pancreas itself are digested under the action of enzymes. This leads not only to its destruction, but also to the release of toxic decomposition products into the blood, poisoning of the body, and the development of numerous complications from organs of other systems.

Description and essence of the disease

The pathology develops against the background of disruption of the pancreas. This important organ is actively involved in the digestion process. It helps digest food, regulates metabolism and maintains normal blood sugar levels.

Characteristic

Once in the duodenum, food from the stomach is mixed with pancreatic enzymes. These substances break down all foods into their basic components, facilitating their absorption.

As a result of disruption of at least one of the functions in the movement of enzymes, a delay occurs. Accumulating inside the organ that produces them, they begin to corrode the surrounding tissue. This leads to severe intoxication of the body and inflammation of the gland.

Stages of development

In its development, the disease goes through 4 stages, differing from each other in symptoms and prognosis. These include:

1. Initial

   . Characterized by the manifestation of a pathological cause. Depending on the body's reaction, inflammation can manifest itself acutely or become chronic.

2. Secondary

   . Behavioral changes are complemented by physiological ones. There is a gradual increase in pain.

3. Tertiary

   . A collapsing gland provokes poisoning of nearby organs, causing disruptions throughout the body.

4. Launched

   . The patient has extensive necrosis and sepsis as a result of self-digestion and intoxication with decay products.

The disease is most easily treated in the first two stages. At the last stage, the prognosis is extremely unfavorable, since massive failure of internal organs is not compatible with life.

Types of pancreatitis in dogs

Based on their origin, there are two types of pancreatitis in dogs.

• Primary. It occurs under the influence of provoking factors as an independent disease (for example, due to poor nutrition).
• Secondary. It is a consequence of existing pathologies, for example, hepatitis, helminthiasis, neoplasms. This type of pathology is considered irreversible, so the condition of the dog’s pancreas will have to be maintained at the required level throughout its life.

According to the course of the disease, two forms are distinguished:

• acute pancreatitis - manifests itself with pronounced symptoms, characterized by intense destruction of organ tissue, the development of necrosis (necrotizing pancreatitis), abscesses, sepsis, peritonitis;
• chronic - occurs with subtle symptoms, gradually destroying the pancreas.

If you contact a specialist in a timely manner, the likelihood of your pet’s recovery is quite high, especially in acute cases of the disease. The chronic form, due to its mild clinical picture, in most cases ends in death. Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis worsen and become noticeable when the animal has less than 20% healthy tissue left in the organ.

Pancreatitis in dogs

Prevention

The most important rule is to provide a healthy and adequate diet appropriate to the breed and weight of the dog. There is no need to give your pet food from the table or choose low-quality food. Keep an eye on your dog during the walk (especially if you let it off the leash). She should not pick up any leftover food from the ground.

Try to add raw meat and vitamins to your food. It is best to consult your veterinarian regarding vitamin and mineral supplements. He will tell you what specific vitamins are needed to improve the well-being and strengthen the body of your pet.

Other preventative measures to help avoid pancreatitis:

• timely vaccination at the veterinary clinic,
• comprehensive treatment of emerging diseases,
• refusal of self-treatment,
• keeping your pet active
• regular examinations by a veterinarian.

By following these recommendations, you can avoid attacks of pancreatitis in your dog. The main thing is to act quickly and contact specialists!

Causes of inflammation of the pancreas

Among the many reasons for the development of pancreatitis in dogs, the most common ones can be noted.

• Excessive amount of fat in the diet
• Elevated blood lipids
• Lack of physical activity in your dog
• Infections in the body
• Liver diseases
• Gallbladder pathologies
• Frequent use of a number of medications (paracetamol, tetracycline and others)

• Obesity
• High blood calcium
• Sudden changes in diet
• Organ injury
• Low blood pressure for a long time
• Diseases of the small intestine
• Duodenal reflux

Pancreatitis can develop in any dog, but the following breeds are genetically predisposed to it: miniature schnauzers, German shepherds, poodles, collies, Yorkshire terriers, cocker spaniels, boxers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Nutrition

A proper diet is an important element of treatment. During the first 24 hours, the dog is not fed at all and is given medication to stop vomiting. Then, if she refuses to drink, an IV is placed. You should not force your pet to drink water.

Since the illness will interfere with the consumption of both food and water, the dog should be fed after a break with liquid gruel from canned food or soaked croquettes. The doctor will prescribe medicinal food. On the first day, it should be given in fractions, in 5-6 doses, and in total only a third of the usual norm is given. Then, day by day, the total amount of nutrition needs to be increased; it takes a week or a week and a half to bring it to normal.

Basic nutritional parameters for pancreatitis:

• Calorie content - since the pet is weakened, it will need calories to regain strength.
• Low carbohydrate content. When the pancreas is damaged, the level of insulin production drops, as a result of which glucose obtained from starch is poorly absorbed. If there is too much of it in the body, the pet begins to feel constant itching.
• Low protein content. The level of production of proteolytic enzymes also drops due to pancreatic problems, so less protein is needed. Thus, proteins are poorly absorbed, although they are necessary for the restoration of the body. To solve this problem, synthetic amino acids and hydrolysates of animal feed are added to the diet.
• Lots of fat. To ensure that they are not harmful, you will need to carefully select your diet: it should combine mammalian and fish fats, as well as vegetable fats. Due to fats, the much-needed calories during this period will be gained first of all.
• Contains essential microelements and vitamins. In order for enzymes to work well, the body to be cleansed of toxins, and the formed elements of the blood to be renewed, biological catalysts are needed. But even in excessive amounts, minerals and vitamins are not required and can even cause harm, which is why a doctor should prescribe a diet.
• Contains antioxidants with prebiotics. Due to improper functioning of the enzyme system, toxic radicals are formed, which are what antioxidants must bind. Prebiotics are responsible for restoring the intestinal microflora, because it is affected both by pancreatitis itself and its treatment with medications.

For pancreatitis, special food designed for dogs with digestive disorders should be used. Even when treatment is completed and the pet begins to feel well again, the predisposition of the pancreas to inflammation will still not disappear. Therefore, his diet should continue to be gentle; these will be ready-made foods that the doctor will recommend. You shouldn’t feed your dog from the table at all, but after such illnesses you need to watch this especially strictly.

If the dog was previously fed natural products, the specifics of the transition should be discussed with a doctor, but in any case, after an illness, she will have to switch to ready-made food - she will not be able to eat natural food, since it is too difficult to balance even for a specialist, and it will not be possible to do this all the time.

How does pancreatitis manifest in dogs?

The symptoms of acute and chronic pancreatitis in dogs are different. The acute form usually begins with symptoms resembling intestinal distress, which gradually worsen. Chronic pathology occurs when the gland is severely destroyed.

Acute pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis

• Severe itching of the skin
• Refusal to eat
• Vomiting (sometimes even after drinking water)
• Abdominal pain
• Restless behavior, apathy
• Dehydration, dry mucous membranes
• Diarrhea
• Temperature increase within insignificant limits
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Yellow tint of mucous membranes

• Reducing the amount of food eaten, refusing to eat
• Enuresis
• Weight loss
• Paw trembling
• Apathy, lack of interest in walks, games
• Increased tone of the abdominal wall
• Gas formation
• Dulling of wool

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnostic measures are primarily aimed at excluding a condition requiring urgent surgery. To do this, the veterinarian will prescribe the following procedures:

• laboratory blood testing for enzymes, nitrogenous compounds, lipids, etc.;
• X-ray examination of the organ;
• ultrasonography;
• ultrasonography;
• duodenography;
• gland biopsy.

If necessary, laparoscopic examination of the organ is possible.

Tests and diagnosis

The most informative analysis is a test for pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity. The only disadvantage of this study is the small number of laboratories with all the necessary equipment. For this reason, analysis is often based on:

• urine and blood tests that record deviations in basic indicators;
• Ultrasound, which determines the color, size and degree of damage to the abdominal organs;
• X-ray, recording tumors and foreign objects;
• a biopsy that allows you to study a fragment of the affected gland.

Individual treatment is prescribed after receiving all the results. Until this moment, the four-legged patient is treated according to the general scheme, since any delay is fraught with even greater destruction of the organ.

First aid for an attack of pancreatitis

During an attack of pancreatitis, the owner, unfortunately, can do little to help the pet. First of all, you need to call a veterinarian or take the animal to the clinic. If a quick examination by a specialist is not possible, it is recommended to take the following actions:

• give an injection of No-shpa, carefully calculating the dosage of the drug;
• remove food, ensure the dog is completely hungry;
• pour clean water into a bowl, preferably filtered, without chlorine;
• leave your pet in complete peace and quiet.

Under no circumstances should you give your pet “tested” medications, use traditional methods, or try to feed it. All subsequent actions are determined only after diagnosis and identification of the cause of the pathological condition.

Treatment

Pre-medical care and further treatment can be distinguished, prescribed after the type of inflammation has been accurately established. Only after this is drug therapy prescribed. Typically, the drugs used for treatment include: antibiotics - to exclude secondary infection; antispasmodics - to facilitate the passage of pancreatic secretions through the ducts; analgesics – to reduce pain.

If drug therapy does not produce the desired effect, surgery may be prescribed. A strict diet is also prescribed.

First aid for an attack

Pancreatitis is very dangerous, therefore, when treating it, you should not engage in amateur activities. It is best to take your pet to a clinic, where all the necessary procedures will be carried out. But if an attack has already begun and it is impossible to immediately deliver it to the clinic, or the called veterinarian is delayed, you will have to provide first aid yourself. Then you need to do the following:

• Provide your pet with a calm and comfortable environment.
• Remove all the food and warn that no one treats him.
• If the pain is so acute that the dog squeals, give an injection of No-shpa - the tablet will not have an effect and will only cause vomiting.
• To combat dehydration, you need to administer Ringer's solution or saline solution - please note that Ringer-Locke solution is not suitable due to the fact that it contains glucose. A lot of solution needs to be administered - approximately 4% of the pet’s weight per day. Large blisters will form under the skin - this is normal and will soon be absorbed.

These are all actions that can be taken independently during an attack; further treatment should be determined by a veterinarian - after all, it may even turn out that this is not pancreatitis at all, but a disease similar to it in symptoms; then the treatment will be different.

Drug therapy

Symptomatic therapy is used to treat primary pancreatitis. The dog should not be given food for at least 24 hours. She will be able to eat again only after the vomiting stops. If she doesn't want to eat, you shouldn't force feed her. If necessary, your doctor may administer nutrition through a gastric tube.

To relieve vomiting, injections of Metoclopramide are given; in case of dehydration, the administration of Ringer's solution or saline continues. Anesthetic is used. For concomitant diseases or the development of pancreatitis against the background of viral infections, antimicrobial drugs are prescribed. To prevent side effects from drug treatment, antacids are used. If the pancreas performs its duties very poorly, drugs containing its enzymes are prescribed.

Surgery

If drug treatment does not have an effect, and a tumor or foci of necrosis are detected, surgical intervention is required. The surgeon cleans the pancreatic ducts, removes pathological cavities and necrotic areas.

Pancreatitis in puppyhood

Puppies can also get pancreatitis; this is facilitated by various negative factors, most often infections. Babies who are heavily fed are predisposed to inflammatory processes in the pancreas. Excess weight leads to weakened immunity, malfunctions of internal organs, including the pancreas, and disorders in the digestive system. Feeding puppies should be age appropriate. Due to the imperfection of the gastrointestinal enzyme system, “adult” food is not suitable for them.

The symptoms of acute pancreatitis in puppyhood are the same as in adult dogs. If vomiting, diarrhea and other signs appear, the dog should be taken to the clinic as soon as possible for examination and first aid. A puppy’s body is not able to resist the disease on its own, so the baby may die in a short period of time.

Preventing the development of chronic pancreatitis in a puppy is the primary task of the veterinarian and owner. During the rehabilitation period, the owner must strictly follow the specialist’s instructions: give the animal medicine in a timely manner, feed in accordance with the diet, administer preventive vaccines, and so on.