Pancreatitis in dogs is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, in which the activity of the organ is disrupted, accompanied by a decrease in the patency of the ducts. If the disease was not detected in a timely manner, a number of complications may develop that can lead to the death of the pet. Some forms of pancreatitis in dogs may develop without symptoms, making diagnosis difficult.

A positive result of treatment depends on the early diagnosis of the disease, prevention and attentive attitude to the pet.

The risk of pancreatitis is that it is accompanied by the death of pancreatic tissue, which complicates the process of digestion of food. If there is no treatment, the pancreas cannot cope with the load on the organs of the digestive system.

Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs

In the body of a healthy animal, enzymes that are produced in the pancreas enter the duodenum. With enzyme stasis an inflammatory process develops. Toxins from the organ enter the general bloodstream, which affects the activity of the lungs, kidneys, brain, and liver.

Inflammation of the pancreas may develop for the following reasons:

Symptoms

Pancreatitis in animals develops without showing any signs. Dangerous changes may occur in the body of an animal for a long time.

There are two forms of pancreatitis in dogs.- acute and chronic.

Acute pancreatitis in dogs develops quickly and is accompanied by severe pain. Acute pancreatitis is accompanied by the following symptoms:

The chronic form of the disease develops for a long period of time, the signs of the disease are not clearly manifested or are completely absent. As a result, complications may develop. as the pancreas is gradually destroyed.

For chronic pancreatitis Animals are characterized by:

• gradual weight loss in the absence of poor appetite, impaired stool or vomiting;
• deterioration of the hairline, hair loss;
• feces become soft or hard;
• periodic bloating, thickening of the anterior abdominal wall;
• causeless abrupt change in the mood of the animal. The dog may refuse to play and walk.

If the owner of the animal has detected some symptoms in his dog, you should seek the advice of a veterinarian.

There are primary and secondary pancreatitis.

Primary pancreatitis can be caused by poisoning or a violation of the diet of the animal. The main goal of treating the primary form of the disease is to restore the activity of the pancreas. If the disease is not started, then it can be completely cured.

A more complex form is secondary pancreatitis, which can develop as a result of cirrhosis of the liver, stomach ulcers, helminthic invasion, demodicosis, hepatitis, and a malignant tumor.

Secondary pancreatitis is not completely cured. The task of the owner of the animal is to ensure the normal functioning of the diseased organ during the life of the pet.

The last stage of pancreatitis is pancreatic necrosis, in which the cells of the pancreas are destroyed and the animal dies.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pancreatitis in a dog carried out by a specialist in a veterinary clinic. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate, as this may adversely affect the condition of the animal.

Usually the disease is diagnosed when it has become chronic. With a protracted course of the disease, toxic substances can affect the activity of such vital organs as the liver, heart, brain, blood-forming organs.

The acute form of the disease requires immediate therapy, as it can cause complications.

To detect pancreatitis in a dog, the following diagnostic methods are used:

• a preliminary survey of the owner of the dog, during which the presence of signs of the disease should be established;
• examination of the dog
• ultrasound and x-ray examination;
• laboratory tests of urine and blood;
• gastroscopy and biopsy.

After studying the results of the examination, treatment is prescribed, which depends on the general condition of the animal and the form of the disease.

To eliminate vomiting and diarrhea, measures should be taken to stabilize the animal's stool and restore water balance. This will help prevent dehydration in your dog.

To relieve pain, painkillers and antispasmodics are used, which are administered to the dog intramuscularly.

After emergency therapy, the causes that caused the disease should be eliminated. Antibiotics can be used for this purpose. In some cases, surgical treatment is required, during which purify the duct, removal of cysts.

First aid for pancreatitis

If the animal has experienced an attack of the disease, which is determined by the existing symptoms, it is necessary alleviate the condition of the dog and provide immediate assistance.

Treatment

So many pet owners underestimate the severity of the disease and try to treat the pet on their own. In no case should you do this, since improperly selected drugs can only aggravate the already serious condition of the dog. The use of medicines intended for humans can lead to deterioration or death of the animal.

Only a specialist can prescribe the right treatment!

A special place in the treatment of pancreatitis in dogs is occupied by the organization of nutrition. During an acute attack, it is better to limit food intake. The most suitable option becomes a starvation diet. At this time, the dog should be offered only a drink. Water should be given in small amounts. What to feed a dog with pancreatitis can be obtained from a veterinarian.

After 1-2 days you can feed the animal by offering a small portion of crushed food. The pet's diet contains a minimum amount of fats and carbohydrates. Do not feed the animal fried, smoked, spicy or salty foods. Fresh bread, sausage, cereals, corn, fresh herbs, cabbage and spinach should be excluded. A veterinarian will help you choose the right diet, who will tell you what foods can be consumed by a dog with this form of the disease.

In some cases, you have to follow a strict diet for a long time, and sometimes just eliminate certain foods from consumption. Following a strict diet is especially important during an acute attack of the disease.

If previously prepared foods predominated in the dog's diet, special medical nutrition should be added to them. If pet food was prepared by the owner, it is necessary to increase the content of boiled meat, fish, egg white, vegetable puree, finely ground cereals. Feeding is desirable to carry out in small portions in several doses.

With pancreatitis, the use of dry food for feeding is allowed. In this case, special attention should be paid to the quality of the mixtures, as well as to introduce food specially designed for animals suffering from pancreatic diseases into the dog's diet.

It contains easily digestible proteins, omega fatty acids and a minimal amount of fiber and fat.

Leading manufacturers of dry pet food pay special attention to the development of special diets aimed at maintaining the dog in the first months after the disease.

Prevention

In the first months after attacks pancreatitis, the condition of the pet requires increased attention. The body of the animal needs additional support. In this regard, the menu of the animal should be reviewed and fed only with light food, since the dog's digestive system should not be overloaded.

To avoid recurrence of the disease, the following rules must be observed:

• include raw meat, fresh vegetables, dairy products and cereals in the diet;
• do not allow the dog to eat fatty, spicy, fried, salty or smoked foods;
• in the case of a genetic predisposition of the animal to pancreatitis, on the recommendation of a veterinarian, use drugs that strengthen the pancreas.

Which is located in the abdominal cavity, near the stomach and duodenum. The gland performs two main purposes - the production of digestive enzymes that then enter the duodenum, as well as the production of a chain of hormones and insulin that enters directly into the blood.

Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Circumstances that can lead to the onset of the disease:

• overweight and too fatty food;
• a sudden change in diet in a pet of more mature years;
• a condition that is accompanied by an increased amount of fats in the blood (hyperlipidemia, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes mellitus, idiopathic hyperlipidemia of miniature schnauzers, hyperthyroidism);
• increased amount of calcium in the blood (vitamin D intoxication, malignant tumors and hyperparathyroidism).

A direct factor in pancreatitis may be the use of certain medications, such as:

• "Novocainamide";
• loop and thiazide diuretics;
• "Metronidazole";
• "Paracetamol";
• estrogens;
• sulfonamides;
• "Ranitidine";
• "cimetidine";
• "Azathioprine";
• "Tetracycline";
• L-asparaginase.

Other reasons:

• diseases of the bile ducts, small intestine and liver;
• damage to the pancreas;
• poisoning with organophosphorus mixtures;
• state of shock (a significant and prolonged decrease in blood pressure).

In most cases, the cause of a disease such as pancreatitis in a dog remains unknown.

Symptoms

In animals with pancreatitis, manifestations such as:

• stoop and hunchback, as there are pains in the abdominal wall;
• bloating of the intestines (the abdomen itself);
• vomiting after eating;
• loud rumbling of the intestinal tract;
• tachycardia;
• acute pancreatitis in dogs is characterized by pruritus, refusal to eat, lack of stool, and a sudden increase in body temperature;
• the appearance of liquid foamy and thick feces with a sour smell.

It should be noted that the initial period of the disease proceeds with normal temperature and appetite in the pet.

Acute pancreatitis is primarily diagnosed by drip injection of drugs such as Sandostatin in conjunction with Hartmann's solution and Gordox. As a result of their use, the health of the animal is rapidly improving. In this way, pancreatitis in dogs can be prevented.

Symptoms and treatment for chronic pet disease may include:

• the animal eats as usual, but at the same time loses weight;
• the dog sheds all the time, its coat has an unhealthy appearance;
• therapy for persistent pancreatitis should be carried out while observing the pet's lifelong diet.

However, such symptoms can also appear with other ailments. That is why, in order to determine chronic pancreatitis in dogs, special diagnostics are required: ultrasound of the pancreas, blood and urine tests, and an x-ray.

Treatment

The therapy consists in the correct diet of the animal. A necessary requirement is fasting for at least a day, then you should give your pet food in small doses. Moreover, you should feed only dietary feeds with a reduced fat content. If the dog is properly fed and treated, then it should not get sick again (provided that the nature of the disease is not chronic).

In order for the treatment of pancreatitis in dogs to be quick and effective, it is very important:

• to establish the disease in time;
• stick to a strict diet;
• treat your pet with drugs.

Medical therapy

Pancreatitis without complications is usually treated conservatively. To date, there are no drugs whose effect is aimed only at eliminating inflammation in the pancreas. Drugs such as "Aprotinin", "Dopamine" (in minimal dosages) and many others have shown their effectiveness only in the laboratory. When testing these medicines on animals, they showed their ineffectiveness.

What funds to give?

The main goal of drug therapy is to resolve pancreatitis in dogs without complications. Symptoms and treatment should be interrelated, that is, therapy is symptomatic. How to deal with the disease?

1. It is performed to remove dehydration and electrolyte disorders. For these tasks, droppers with colloidal and crystalloid liquids are used. If infusion treatment is not performed correctly, it can lead to the opposite result and deterioration of the animal's condition. The use of colloidal mixtures (plasma, polysaccharide solutions and Dextran 70) to restore fluid volume is the main point in the treatment of the disease.
2. Analgesics. Anesthesia is needed to relieve abdominal pain. The most effective analgesic for animals is Butorphanol, which is injected intramuscularly every 8 hours.
3. Proton pump inhibitors and H2-histamine blockers. Medicines of this series ("Omeprazole" and "Famotidine") are used to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
4. Antispasmodics. Means of this type are used in order to eliminate the contraction of the muscle of the main pancreatic duct. This makes it possible to reduce pressure in the channels of the pancreas. For this, a 2% solution of papaverine hydrochloride, "No-shpy" and a 24% solution of "Euphyllin" are introduced.
5. Corticosteroid drugs. They are used if pancreatitis in dogs is accompanied by a state of shock.
6. Antiemetic medications (Cerucal, Serenia, and Ondansetron) are prescribed for pets with uncontrolled vomiting.
7. Antibiotics. They are prescribed if there is a danger of a bacterial infection. If the animal has clinical and laboratory indications of sepsis, then use aminoglycosides, "Ampicillin" every 8 hours and "Penicillin G" every 6 hours.

In addition, with pancreatitis, it is required to monitor the level of glucose in the blood.

Surgery

In order to treat pancreatitis in dogs with surgery, the following indications are necessary:

• formation of pseudocysts and ulcers in the pancreas.

To determine such anomalies in most cases, an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is done. In addition, an operation can be performed when enhanced therapy for pancreatitis is carried out, and the pet's condition continues to worsen.

Acute pancreatitis is usually completely reversible and no further treatment is required.

What to feed a dog with pancreatitis?

There are special nutritional rules that must be followed when treating a disease in a pet:

1. Small portions of food.
2. Frequent feeding (the animal needs to be given food every 3-4 hours).
3. All products must be crushed to prevent spontaneous injury to the gastric mucosa.
4. The volume of carbohydrate-containing and fat-containing foods in the diet should be reduced.
5. The menu should be dominated by protein foods (fish, cottage cheese and meat).
6. It is forbidden to feed a sick pet with fish and rich meat broths.
7. All acidic foods are excluded from the diet.
8. Fried food is also not allowed.
9. Ready meals are required to be given not very hot or not very cold.
10. With increased pain, therapeutic fasting is prescribed (no more than 2 days).

The main rule for pancreatitis is the reduction of fatty foods in the diet. This is due to the fact that fats give a considerable load to the work of the pancreas, and during its inflammation, pain begins.

It must be borne in mind that even after the completion of treatment, the animal may feel discomfort when taking fatty foods.

What foods are allowed to be given in case of illness?

Nutrition for dogs with pancreatitis can be carried out with special feeds created specifically for them. The composition of the feed includes all the necessary elements required for an unhealthy pet.

It often happens that an animal, accustomed to tasty and different, but at the same time harmful foods, does not want to eat diet food. In such a situation, you need to be persistent and not adapt to the dog. In any case, hunger will make itself felt, and the pet will be forced to eat what they give.

In addition to feed, the animal is allowed to give dietary meat (chicken, turkey or rabbit). It can be boiled, ground with a blender or meat grinder and mixed with rice or millet porridge. In very small doses, you can feed the dog with chopped vegetables in the form of mashed potatoes. It is allowed to include low-fat fermented milk products (milk and cottage cheese) in the diet.

Do not forget that small portions should be given to the pet so as not to produce an increased load on the pancreas, and also not to provoke another attack of the disease.

What foods are banned?

Pancreatitis in dogs involves the refusal of certain foods, namely:

• smoked meats, spicy cheeses, sausages;
• fresh rye bread;
• fatty fish and meat;
• beef and mutton fat;
• vegetables (corn, radish, spinach, cabbage, sorrel, herbs), cereals and legumes.

The body of any pet is individual, the development of pancreatitis can also be varied. In this regard, it should be borne in mind that only a veterinarian can prescribe a rational diet, its duration and composition. Therefore, there is no need to self-medicate.

Pancreatitis in dogs is an inflammatory process that affects the pancreas. This organ is for the production of enzymes that contribute to the process of digestion and the production of insulin hormones in the body. The causes of the disease vary: an unbalanced diet, extra pounds, oncology, diabetes and other pathologies.

Pancreatitis in dogs develops with the use of diuretics, estrogen, tetracycline, and other drugs. Treatment can be medical or the provoking factor is solved with the help of surgery. An important role is played by the proper nutrition of the animal.

The disease provokes an inflammatory process, which can cause the death of organ tissues, a violation of the digestive process. If the dog is not treated, then the load on the gastrointestinal tract increases.

Pathology that has pancreatitis in dogs

The disease has several forms:

• Acute. It develops due to infectious diseases, an unbalanced diet;
• Chronic. This form begins due to acute pancreatitis if the owner does not treat the pet for a long period;
• Reactive. This form of the disease progresses rapidly in the body, causes many complications, and is difficult to treat.

Usually, pancreatitis is detected in the chronic stage, because at the initial stages the pathology can proceed without clear symptoms.

Causes of the disease

Why does pancreatitis develop in dogs in the body of a pet?

The main provoking factor is malnutrition. If a dog eats a lot of fatty foods, fried foods or seasoned with hot spices, feeds from the owner’s table, eats smoked foods, then often the animal begins to have inflammation of the pancreas. The same problems can arise with beriberi or hypoelementosis.

Pancreatitis can develop if a dog has distemper, some viruses, hepatitis. Vaccination can help reduce the risk of getting sick. In some cases, the animal's pancreas becomes inflamed due to gallstones, blockage of the ducts, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Pancreatitis in dogs negatively affects the functioning of the pancreas, as well as long-term use of paracetamol, tetracycline, estrogens, ranitidine, metronidazole and other drugs. Poisoning with phosphorus-containing substances, prolonged shock with a decrease in blood pressure can also provoke pancreatitis.

Some doctors believe that a genetic predisposition can provoke the development of the disease. The risk group includes toy poodles, spaniels, boxers and other breeds of dogs. Harmful microbes that enter the dog's gastrointestinal tract when consuming stale, dirty foods, slops can also affect the dog. It is worth carefully monitoring that the pet does not pick up anything from the ground, does not eat from dirty surfaces and bowls.

Development of the disease

Pancreatitis is divided into primary and secondary.

Clinical picture

What are the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs? Symptoms of pathology depend on the form of the disease, their manifestations may vary. Acute pancreatitis is a dangerous condition that, if not treated promptly, can lead to the death of a dog. The animal's abdomen swells, on palpation it is hard to the touch, constantly grumbling. When touched, the pet begins to whine or squeal in pain. What are the signs of pancreatitis in dogs?

• The dog does not eat well, may refuse to eat, becomes lethargic, looks tired. She has distracted attention;
• The pet breathes heavily, his temperature rises, the mucous membranes of the lips and eyelids turn yellow. There is a rapid heartbeat;
• After eating, the dog often vomits, digestive disorders are observed. Feces have a sour smell;
• The animal drinks a lot to reduce dehydration. In the chronic form of the disease, the symptoms are less pronounced. The disease is more difficult to diagnose. The condition is dangerous because the organ is gradually destroyed. This process leads to irreversible consequences. The owner should be alert for the following symptoms:
• loss of dog's appetite;
• Frequent bouts of nausea, vomiting;
• The pet loses weight, moves a little;
• His skin becomes dry, his coat loses its luster.

Treatment

Diagnose pancreatitis in dogs with the help of ultrasound of the organ, urinalysis. Additionally, a biopsy, x-ray, palpation of the abdomen can be used. Treatment of the pancreas in dogs should begin with the elimination of the root cause that led to the development of the disease.

Food

Treatment of pancreatitis in dogs begins with the correction of its menu. The nutrition of an animal with pancreatitis should be made balanced and low in fat and fiber. If a dog is diagnosed with this disease, it is recommended not to feed him for 24 hours. But in small portions they give clean water. After fasting, the animal is given food in small doses.

Low-fat medicated feeds are recommended. At the same time, all sour and fried foods are removed from the diet. If the dog is fed natural food, then it is carefully crushed to reduce injury to the gastric mucosa.

In the diet, reduce the amount of carbohydrates and fat. The basis of the menu should be protein: lean meat, fish, cottage cheese. It is not recommended to give your dog concentrated meat or fish broths. The temperature of the food is also important. They should be neither hot nor cold. If the pain becomes stronger, then the dog again stops feeding for two days.

Healthy foods

A good food option during treatment will be dietary food. It has a balanced composition, many vitamins, trace elements. If the animal is accustomed to eating natural food, then you can give rabbit meat, chicken, turkey. It is boiled, crushed with a blender, mixed with boiled rice or millet porridge. Gradually, mashed vegetables are introduced into the diet. You can give a small amount of low-fat milk or cottage cheese.

Prohibited Products

Bread, fatty meats and fish should be removed from the menu. Do not feed the pet with fat, sausages, cheeses, smoked meat. Peas, beans, cereals are completely excluded from the diet. It is not recommended to give sorrel, greens, cabbage.

Dry food

Veterinarians recommend the use of dry food in dietary nutrition. They contain little fat, but a lot of easily digestible protein. The composition contains omega acids, which reduce the inflammatory process. As a rule, when using such nutrition, relapses of pancreatitis rarely occur.

Medical treatment

Depending on the form of the pathology and the diseases accompanying it, doctors prescribe treatment for the pet. Therapy may include drugs that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize the water-salt balance. It is possible to use analgesics, antispasmodics in the form of tablets and intramuscular injections. This group of drugs is used to relieve pain symptoms.

If the dog is in a state of shock, then corticosteroids are used. If the animal vomits, then doctors prescribe antiemetic medications. In the presence of a bacterial infection that provokes pancreatitis, antibiotics should be used.

Surgical intervention

When proper nutrition and the use of medications are ineffective, then surgical intervention is possible. It is carried out to remove the organ cyst and clean the pancreatic ducts.

Disease prevention

The most important aspect in the prevention of pancreatitis in dogs is the correction of their diet. If the dog is prone to the development of pancreatic diseases, then the pet needs to follow a diet for the rest of his life. Such a disease is difficult to diagnose, if it goes into a chronic stage, then it is impossible to cure the disease. Therefore, it is easier to prevent the development of the disease than to treat it in the future.

Veterinarians do not recommend feeding the dog from the owner's table. If the animal prefers natural food, then the food should be fresh, and the products for its preparation should be of high quality. It is not recommended to include a lot of fatty foods in the diet, give pickles, add spicy seasonings. You should not feed the dog with sweets (sweets, muffins), you should not give smoked meats (sausages, poultry, cheeses).

The menu should include meat fillets and bones. They give the body of the animal the necessary micro and macro elements. The diet includes cereals, mashed fresh vegetables and fruits. Protein deficiency should be replenished not only with meat products, but also with eggs, low-fat dairy products (live yogurt, sour cream, kefir).

The animal should not be allowed to come into contact with chemicals, because pesticides and herbicides contribute to the destruction of the organ. This interaction provokes the rapid development of acute pancreatitis with pronounced symptoms.

If the dog eats dry food, then he should not buy economy class food. These should be premium or luxury blends. When the animal becomes lethargic, refuses to eat or is sick, there are other signs of illness, then a consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.

On the street, the dog is walked only on a leash, you can’t allow him to eat from the ground, take food from strangers. When walking, pay attention that the dog does not communicate with stray animals. It is necessary to vaccinate and vaccinate the animal in a timely manner. He should be given anthelmintic medicines from time to time. You can not treat yourself, picking up medicines for him without a prescription from a veterinarian.

Normally, pancreatic enzymes do not harm the organ, starting to work only outside it, in the duodenum. Pancreatitis in dogs develops if, for some reason, enzymes stagnate in the organ and become activated inside it, which leads to the destruction (literally self-digestion) of the pancreas. And the further this process goes, the more difficult it will be to restore the health of a pet. Therefore, it is important to notice the disease in time and urgently contact the clinic.

As in humans, in dogs this disease can be primary and secondary. In case of poisoning with poisons, chemicals, poor-quality or spoiled food, food additives, they speak of primary pancreatitis. Secondary pancreatitis is a consequence of a serious malfunction in the body:

Violation of the outflow of bile and even an acute attack can be a postoperative complication. Puppies and aging and/or sensitive dogs often develop reactive pancreatitis as a consequence of irrational feeding, excess treats, fatty foods, and salt. According to many veterinarians, the tendency to inflammation of the pancreas is inherited.

Forms and symptoms of pancreatitis

Like many other diseases, pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. The acute form is an urgent, life-threatening condition. It can be seen from the dog that she is clearly ill and in pain, up to loss of consciousness and serious disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Acute pancreatitis is suspected with the following symptoms:

• lethargy, distraction, apathy, weakness, refusal to feed;

• painful abdomen, swollen, hard, possibly rumbling and overflowing. The dog takes strange poses, licks a sore spot, does not allow touching the stomach;

• severe vomiting and diarrhea with a sour smell. Sometimes there is no stool, but the dog constantly vomits (especially after eating, even a small piece of treat). Due to fluid loss, dehydration quickly sets in;

• the dog is breathing heavily, the heart rate is rapid, the temperature is slightly above normal, the mucous membranes of the lips and eyelids are yellowish. All these symptoms also indicate a relapse of the disease, which often happens if the dog's diet for pancreatitis does not meet the doctor's recommendations.

Read also: Arthrosis in dogs - types, causes and care

Chronic pancreatitis is more difficult to notice - the signs of the disease are blurred, the dog seems to be in order. This lulls vigilance and calms: if during an acute attack the owners immediately go to the clinic, then with a sluggish illness, the pancreas is gradually destroyed, up to critical conditions. Symptoms of the chronic form of the disease are as follows:

• sluggish appetite, thirst;

• tight abdomen, painful when palpated in the navel and on the left;

• periodic vomiting after eating, one or two times, mild;

• gradually the dog loses weight, loses activity, the coat grows dull, the skin becomes dry and inelastic. Possible itching, year-round molting.

First aid and treatment

At the first suspicion, the dog should be put on a starvation diet - nothing but water and boiled mucous porridges on the water. If the pet vomits even after porridge, remove all food, leaving only filtered water at room temperature. You should not give the dog medicines, you should not try to carry out treatment with folk remedies or try to improve the condition of the dog, following the advice of friends. Your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. In acute attacks, a doctor should be consulted immediately, without wasting an hour.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to cope with this disease on your own. By postponing a visit to the clinic, the owner puts the dog's life at risk! Toxins, getting into the blood, poison the entire body, which affects the work of the heart, liver, brain, lungs, and other vital organs.

For diagnosis, you need to pass full tests, take an x-ray. In some cases, CT, biopsy, gastroscopy are necessary. In primary and reactive pancreatitis, it is usually enough to eliminate the pain syndrome (painkillers) plus antispasmodic drugs (to facilitate the outflow of bile) and prescribe a diet. As a rule, the veterinarian himself selects food for dogs with pancreatitis, based on the results of the examination. Sometimes food that has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the pancreas should always be given to the dog, even after the symptoms have disappeared and recovery.

Secondary pancreatitis is more difficult to defeat, and the success of treatment depends on whether the cause of the disease can be eliminated. Or at least take control of it. For example, some structural abnormalities are corrected surgically, stones are dissolved or removed, and infections are suppressed with targeted drugs and antibiotics. Before treating secondary pancreatitis, the veterinarian should carefully examine the patient in order to be sure of the causes of the disease. Therefore, it is important to contact a competent, attentive specialist - general schemes and drugs chosen at random give only a temporary effect.

Among all the organs that determine serious diseases of dogs, the pancreas is perhaps in the lead. Her pathologies arise for various reasons and cause great suffering in our pets.

Almost all ailments associated with this endocrine gland are capable of serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important to show the animal to the veterinarian at the first visible symptoms in order to determine the diagnosis and start therapy on time.

To what extent can the pancreas of a dog be affected, where do such ailments come from and how dangerous is it for the animal?

Types of pathologies

Diseases of the pancreas in dogs are distinguished by the fact that diagnosing them in the early stages is almost impossible. This difficulty is due to the fact that its functional process is associated with endocrine and exocrine digestion.

In the first case, hormones are released, one of which is insulin, in the second, enzymes necessary for digestion of food. It is usually possible to detect failures in the performance of these functions when the violations have affected almost all organs and systems that are associated with the pancreas.

It's important to know! You should not try to determine the malaise yourself. After all, pancreatic pathologies are very serious and require timely therapy. Otherwise, you may lose your pet.

Since the activity of this organ is associated with the production of digestive substances, its two main ailments are also determined from here:

• exocrine insufficiency- characterized by a deficiency of enzymes that promote the digestion of food;
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)- caused by premature production of enzymes that contribute to the destruction of secretory tissue.

Other pathologies of the pancreas are observed in dogs, among which pancreatic cirrhosis, hereditary atrophy and insulinoma should be noted. But they usually affect calving breeds and do not occur often. For example, insulinoma and atrophy are considered diseases of German shepherds (sometimes such ailments are observed in hounds and giant schnauzers). But among dogs of other breeds, pancreocyrrhosis (chronic sclerosing pancreatitis) is more common, which is mainly a consequence of diabetes.

Therefore, let's look at the first two types of ailments that are most common.

exocrine insufficiency

Such pancreatic insufficiency in dogs occurs when it creates an enzyme deficiency. This pathology is perhaps the leader among all pancreatic diseases in our pets. It belongs to acquired ailments, however, it has some natural predisposition.

It is believed to be a disease of German Shepherds and Rough Collies. However, this does not mean that other species cannot get sick. Dogs of any breed and at any age can be affected by this ailment, although it is more common in young animals. For the first time, the disease makes itself felt in the dog's age from one to five years.

The main symptomatology is manifested in the form of violations of the process of absorption and digestion of food. In addition, failures in the intestinal microflora make themselves felt.

The pancreas, its insufficiency, the dog is not allowed to live in peace, since the malaise is progressive. The animal suffers from severe diarrhea and rapidly loses weight.

Therefore, the disease is diagnosed in accordance with a thorough and detailed collection of anamnesis, its clinical manifestations and the method of excluding other causes of the above symptoms. But conventional blood tests usually do not show changes. Yes, and other diagnostic techniques are of little help.

However, you should not be upset. A good specialist will always establish an accurate diagnosis, after which enzyme replacement therapy will be prescribed. The animal should receive the enzyme at every feeding (even with treats). Usually such a substance is produced in the form of a powder or granules.

Important! It is impossible to cancel such an addition to food, since the symptoms of malaise will return again. But continuous enzyme therapy gives favorable hope.

Attack of pancreatitis

Often there is such a disease of the pancreas in dogs as pancreatitis. This disease is also difficult to diagnose. Usually they learn about it during the period of exacerbation, when the animal is plagued by severe vomiting, as well as pain so difficult to endure that it assumes a “praying position” (forelegs extended, chest on the floor, and the butt raised up). Often there is blood in the stool.

Palpation of the peritoneum causes severe pain. Blood and urine tests performed early in an attack may indicate an increased amount of amylase. However, with the necrotic form of the disease, the readings of this enzyme may be normal or underestimated.

Acute inflammation of the pancreas in dogs can last several days and end with its complete recovery, or it can turn into a chronic form of pancreatitis.

Previously, it is almost impossible to determine this pathology. Since, until today, official medicine does not have sensitive diagnostic methods for the pancreas. It is possible to examine its tissue only during laparoscopic surgery or after death.

If the animal is not provided with timely assistance, it may die. Because pancreatitis usually causes peritonitis, which in turn causes acute renal or respiratory failure. And if in simple words, then the kidneys of a sick pet immediately fail, and then he stops breathing. To prevent this from happening, immediately transport your pet to a veterinary clinic at the first sign of this ailment.

At the slightest suspicion of acute pancreatitis, it is better to immediately begin intensive care. Let it be in vain, it will not bring much harm. But timely treatment started will save your four-legged friend's life.

Symptoms of pathology

The main pathological symptoms of the pancreas in dogs are similar. As a rule, they make themselves felt:

1. frequent frothy diarrhea with a sharp stench that occurs without any reason;
2. immoderate desire to eat all the time (the animal can even eat its own feces) against the background of a sharp weight loss;
3. general weakness and constant urge to defecate;
4. vomit;
5. flatulence throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the discharge of fetid gases, etc.

As already noted, the pancreas in dogs requires immediate treatment. The great honor of the pathologies of this important organ is amenable to therapeutic action if it is started in a timely manner and is carried out regularly. A special place in such pathologies is given to the dietary feeding of the animal.

Diseases of the pancreas cannot be completely cured. However, if you follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian regarding feeding and treatment methods, then your pet can live a long and happy life without pain and discomfort caused by disorders in this important organ.

However, in some cases, surgical intervention can be applied. And so that this is not required, any pancreatic ailments cannot be ignored. It could cost your pet's life. Be careful!

about the author

My name is Andrey, I have been a diabetic for over 35 years. Thank you for visiting my site Diabey about helping people with diabetes.

I write articles about various diseases and personally advise people in Moscow who need help, because over the decades of my life I have seen many things, tried many remedies and medicines. In the current 2019, technology is developing very much, people do not know about many things that have been invented at the moment for a comfortable life for diabetics, so I have found my goal and help people with diabetes to the best of my ability to live easier and happier.