How to Avoid Holiday Pancreatitis in Dogs

Tips to Prevent Pancreas Inflammation, Holiday Hazard to Dogs

Nov 10, 2008

Cases of pancreatitis in dogs and cats increases dramatically around Thanksgiving and this increase in pet pancreatitis cases continues through the holiday season.

Pancreatitis is a holiday hazard to pets - a Thanksgiving hazard to dogs in particular - because the holiday brings an increased number of scenarios that can potentially lead to a dog who's sick with pancreatitis.

Each year around Thanksgiving, veterinarians across the United States see a marked rise in the number of cases of pancreatitis in dogs of all ages.

This acute, painful pancreas inflammation in dogs can be deadly in many cases, so it's vital that dog owners understand the causes of pancreatitis in dogs, the symptoms of pancreatitis in pets and what measures must be taken to prevent cases of canine pancreatitis.

The Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a v-shaped internal organ that works to help the body metabolize sugars and produce insulin. In addition, the dog's pancreas produces enzymes that are vital for digesting nutrients in the dog's meals.

Pancreatic inflammation - most commonly called pancreatitis - is seen in dogs most often during the holidays, when dog owners are doing lots of cooking in the home. Many dogs are affected by pancreatitis when they're fed table scraps that are greasy and high in fat. In addition, a significant percentage of dogs with pancreatitis fall ill after stealing fat trimmings or other fatty food scraps from the trash.

Fatty foods are the most common cause of pancreatitis in dogs, but according to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, there are other factors that make a dog prone to developing pancreatitis:

Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Dogs with pancreatitis usually fall ill fairly suddenly, within a matter of hours. The most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs include:

Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs can become very acute and a dog can become critically and even fatally ill very quickly, so an owner who suspects that a dog may have pancreatitis should immediately seek veterinary attention. It's not uncommon to see complications in dogs with pancreatitis, including arrhythmia, systemic infection and even conditions like Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

Dr. Levine added, "Don't wait until the Thanksgiving dinner guests leave and don't wait until morning. If a dog is sick and pancreatitis is suspected, get help immediately. Dogs suffering from pancreatitis succumb very quickly."

Diagnosing and Treatment for Pancreatitis in Dogs

Canine pancreatitis is diagnosed by performing a physical exam, blood work, sonograms (ultrasound) and radiographs (x-rays). Enlarged pancreas and elevated pancreatic enzymes are the most common findings in a dog with pancreatitis. Liver problems, including liver enlargement and elevated liver enzymes, also seen in many pancreatitis patients, according to Dr. Levine.

The most common treatment for a dog with pancreatitis consists of supportive measures that help to decrease the amount of strain on the various organ systems, thereby preventing complications from pancreatitis in dogs.

Dogs with pancreatitis are given fluids, administered intravenously in most cases. Food and non-vital medications are also withheld for a period of time to reduce strain and to allow the dog's inflamed pancreas to recover. Painkillers are often administered in dogs with pancreatitis due to the significant discomfort that's associated with this illness.

If a sick dog is able to recover from pancreatitis, the prognosis is typically fairly good, though a dog who develops pancreatitis once is more prone to developing the condition again in the future. For this reason, many dogs who have survived pancreatitis must be kept on a strict low-fat diet for life.

Dr. Levine concluded, "Pancreatitis is a preventable holiday hazard to pets, so owner education is key. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah are holidays where we see a marked increase in the number of dogs suffering from pancreatitis, so avoid feeding fatty foods, prevent the dog from accessing the trash and ask guests to refrain from feeding the dog table scraps. This will help ensure that the holidays are a happy and healthy time for the dog and his family."

The copyright of the article How to Avoid Holiday Pancreatitis in Dogs in Pet Diseases is owned by Mia Carter. Permission to republish How to Avoid Holiday Pancreatitis in Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.