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Pancreatitis, or inflammation and swelling of the pancreas, is a painful and seldom-understood affliction that affects dogs worldwide. While spontaneous canine pancreatitis is not particularly well understood, veterinarians do have an idea of the causes that contribute to this condition, its related conditions and symptoms and treatment methods to lessen symptoms.
Article Overview
What Is Pancreatitis In Dogs?
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The term pancreatitis refers to the general condition of inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. There are two variations of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Acute pancreatitis occurs with a sudden onset of symptoms with no previous signs of the condition. Chronic pancreatitis symptoms present more slowly over time. When the condition occurs suddenly in a dog, it takes many owners by surprise, and the acute form can also cause a considerable amount of pain for the affected dog.
What Is Fatal Pancreatitis?
The term “fatal pancreatitis” is used to refer to when the condition causes fatal complications to develop that eventually take the life of the dog. If pancreatitis becomes extremely severe or if a dog suffers repeated occurrences they can develop many other conditions that can lead to death including maldigestion syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Both of these conditions are treatable; however, when left untreated they will almost certainly lead to a fatal outcome.
Symptoms
There are two degrees of pancreatitis in dogs recognized by the veterinary community: mild and severe.
Mild Pancreatitis
- Distention or pain in the abdomen
- General discomfort or inability to find a comfortable place to lie down
- Flinching or whining when you touch their abdomen (also a symptom of Canine Bloat, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention)
- Dehydration
- Lack of appetite
- Appearing hunched over when standing or walking
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea that’s greasy and yellow in color
- Fever
Severe Pancreatitis
Dogs that are experiencing more severe cases of pancreatitis may display the symptoms listed above; however, it’s more likely that they’ll exhibit more serious symptoms that, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can be life-threatening. Some of these more serious symptoms include:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (a condition in which multiple hemorrhages can take place resulting in possible death)
- Heart arrhythmia (or irregular heartbeat)
- Sepsis (a body-wide infection that occurs when toxins are released into the blood)
- Difficulty breathing
In the most extreme cases, pancreatic enzymes can digest the pancreas and surrounding organs. Once organs become partially digested, the damage is irreversible.
What To Do If You Suspect Pancreatitis In Your Dog
The first thing you should do is call your vet or an emergency vet if it’s after hours. If your dog is stable, your vet may ask you to bring your dog in immediately. If your dog is not stable, your vet may come to you or make another suggestion.
It’s crucial that you act quickly if you suspect that your dog has pancreatitis. This condition can deteriorate quickly, leading to severe pain and even death.
How Will My Vet Diagnose?
Many important factors play into an accurate diagnosis, including your dog’s medical history, a physical examination and laboratory testing.
My Dog’s Medical History
A dog’s medical history is important because dogs that have experienced a bout of pancreatitis once are more likely to experience it again during their lifetime. The age of your dog can also play a part in the risk of concern, as older dogs are more susceptible. Lastly, any current medical conditions may also play a role in your dog’s diagnosis.
A Physical Examination
If you’ve noticed abdominal swelling or any of the other “tell-tale” signs of this condition, your vet will confirm this with a thorough physical examination.
The physical exam will consist of visually examining your dog’s stomach area in addition to palpating it gently to check for bloating and tenderness. Your vet will also check your dog’s gums, take your dog’s temperature, listen to his heart and look into his eyes and ears to check for any other signs of illness.
Laboratory Testing
Laboratory testing involves drawing blood and testing it for the presence of pancreatic enzymes. An increased white blood cell count and elevated lipase and amylase (pancreatic enzymes) can lead to a diagnosis. Vets may also test for liver enzyme levels and perform x-rays and ultrasounds.
Treatment
- Pain relievers
- Antibiotics
- 24-hours without food and water to rest the pancreas, then slowly introduce food and water
- Bland, prescription dog food
- Hydration through an IV drip or subcutaneous injection
- Surgery in rare cases (e.g., if bleeding or other intestinal complications arise)
CBD Oil & Treats
Many pet parents ask if CBD oil can help treat pancreatitis. There are many benefits of CBD oil including its ability to help ease pain, reduce chronic inflammation, anxiety and more.
If you feel that your dog is suffering from any of these things, CBD oil may help relieve some of the symptoms. You should speak with your vet about giving your dog anything with CBD to ensure it’s safe for your dog.
Once you’ve verified its safety with your vet, check out CBD oil or CBD-infused treats to see how they might help your pet.
Avoid Do-It-Yourself Treatments
While many pets benefit from holistic medicine and natural treatments, there are times when a vet should evaluate some conditions. If you prefer to treat illnesses through a holistic route, there are plenty of certified holistic vets available that can help immediately treat your dog’s pancreatitis.
It’s crucial that you never attempt do-it-yourself treatments such as tips read on the internet or “cures” that work for people; dogs and humans are not the same, and they do not respond similarly to certain foods and chemical substances. While you may think that you’re administering a “calming herb” to your dog, you may actually be worsening their condition or even poisoning them. This is a serious condition and should always be assessed by a trained professional.
How To Prevent The Recurrence Of Pancreatitis
If your dog has ever suffered from a bout of it, there’s an extreme likelihood that they will experience a recurrence. Recurring episodes can be mild or severe regardless of the severity of the original occurrence. Below are some tips that vets offer to help reduce the chance of recurrence.
- Reduce food intake and increase the exercise level of an overweight dog. Make sure not to underfeed or over-exert your dog during this type of approach, though. Weight loss should be slow and steady.
- If your dog experienced a severe episode that left his pancreas damaged, provide any necessary medications to supplement pancreatic function.
- Avoid feeding any human foods to dogs. Many human foods, particularly table scraps, are high in fat content which can prompt an episode.
- Feed multiple, small meals during the day rather than feeding one large meal. This not only reduces the strain put on the pancreas during digestion, but it also lessens the likelihood for certain breeds to develop canine bloat.
- If your veterinarian suggests keeping your dog on a low-fat diet, ensure that you comply to maintain healthy lipid levels in your dog’s body. High lipid levels can result in aggravation of the pancreas.
Watch the video below for further tips on how to prevent pancreatitis in your dog.
Causes
While no one knows exactly what starts pancreatic symptoms, there are some suspect elements that your vet will be familiar with. It may be as “simple” as a medication your dog is taking.
In other instances, you may have to go through many questions and answers before you have any idea what started the symptoms. It’s important to try to narrow it down so you can reduce the risk of another episode. You may find that the food you’ve chosen to feed your dog is simply too high in fat or that it was table scraps that caused the trouble.
There are some things that the veterinary community believes contribute to the development of this condition.
Dogs who are:
- Overweight
- Female
Dogs suffering from:
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Certain bacterial or viral infections
- Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Gastrointestinal tract disease
- Idiopathic hyperlipidemia
- Ingestion of a single, high-fat meal
Pancreatitis In Dogs Infographic
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Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Vet Expenses
It can quickly become expensive for all of the testing and vet care your dog may require if diagnosed with pancreatitis. Pet insurance can help protect your wallet, so you can focus on nursing your dog back to health. Find out whether you should consider pet insurance for you and your pet.
Have you ever treated a dog for pancreatitis?
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HONEST KITCHEN ZEAL GRAIN FREE: This is the best low fat dog food on the market I could find-only 8.5% fat (Dehydrated food to mix with water)
INGREDIENTS: All ingredients dehydrated: MSC certified White fish, sweet potatoes, eggs, pumpkin, organic coconut, bananas, apples, cabbage, parsley, cranberries, salmon, garlic
minerals [tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite], taurine
vitamins [vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin D3 supplement]
NUTRITION INFO
Calories 437
% Protein 32.0
% Fat 8.5
% Fiber 5.8
% Moisture 8.9
*Per dry cup.
NOTE: This food does not smell good because of the fish. It is expensive but is the lowest fat I could find. My 2 dogs & cat love it. This is a dehydrated food that when mixed with water becomes a wet food. I doubt you’ll find it carried in your local store but you can purchase it online. I alternate this food with the only dry food Daisy could eat since she is so allergic, and that is Halo which is a dry food.
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HALO HOLISTIC WILD SALMON AND WHITEFISH FOR SMALL DOGS (there is also a separate one for larger dogs)(Dry Food)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (Min.)
25%
Crude Fat (Min.)
15.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.)
5.0%
Moisture (Max.)
10.0%
Vitamin E (Min.)
250 IU/kg
Omega 6 Fatty Acids (Min.)*
2.75%
Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Min.)*
1.40%
Calorie Count (ME Calculated):
383 k/cup calories
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Nutrient Profiles
Ingredients
Salmon whitefish dried egg product oatmeal barley dried peas dried chickpeas pea protein soy protein concentrate flaxseed pea fiber natural flavor chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) dicalcium phosphate calcium sulfate dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product dried blueberries dried cranberries dried carrot dried sweet potato calcium carbonate salt inulin vitamins potassium chloride minerals taurine mixed tocopherols (preservative) L-Carnitine
Vitamins
Vitamin E Supplement niacin supplement thiamine mononitrate d-calcium pantothenate vitamin A supplement pyridoxine hydrochloride riboflavin supplement vitamin D3 supplement vitamin B12 supplement folic acid biotin
Minerals
Zinc Methionine Complex zinc sulfate iron proteinate ferrous sulfate copper proteinate copper sulfate manganese proteinate manganous oxide sodium selenite calcium iodate ethylenediamine dihydroiodide
NOTE: This dog food is available in many pet stores and also online.
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SIMPLY NOURISH GRAIN FREE ADULT TUNA & SALMON STEW (Can Food)
Ingredients:
Tuna, Tuna Broth, Water Sufficient for Processing, Tapioca Starch, Salmon, Potatoes, Peas, Carrots, Sunflower Oil, Calcium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min) 10.0%
Crude Fat (min) 1.4%
Crude Fiber (max) 1.0%
Moisture (max) 83.0%
Caloric Content: 780 kcal/kg, 221 kcal/can.
NOTE: I use about 1 Teaspoon of this can food to mix with my dog’s crushed heart meds. She takes 4 pills in the morning & 4 in afternoon. She actually thinks this is a treat and apparently can’t taste her pills.
in no time her kidneys packed up. Although I couldn’t criticise my old Vet but I moved to a new vets who do there own on
calls. This happened about 41/2 years ago, it was awful I cried for weeks and although I rescued a Border Terrier by
accident the next day, it took me ages to really love her I liked her and had to spend lots of time getting her to trust she had been used for breeding from her first season she was three. Sam was the love of my life I had had her from a puppy just
after I developed a serious mental health illness, she was my constant companion, a very happy, playful dog which never
stopped until she was taken ill. She lives in my bedroom with her picture and last toy an armless poo bear.
Meg hasn’t replaced her but 41/2 years later I love her to bits and she me, she follows me everywhere and sleeps
on my bed. I panic every time she shows sign of illness. Please don’t be fobbed off if you think your dog is seriously ill
insist on it being treated properly.
Thanks
So be patient , but make sure he gets the right treatment and fast, timing is very important with this , it can get worse very quickly and permanent damage can occurs fast if not treated in a right way and immediately.
Prayers, and wish your dog well soon.
The dog has become very irritable and mean on occasions, has bit me, and this was not her personality, evidence of pain. She has attacked a delivery with aggressive force, but did not bite him when she broke through 2 barrier gates. No alternatives left because constant pain is not quality of life.
Decided with pointed conversation with vet, that she cannot be saved because she is suffering. It is heart breaking. I do recommend the Royal Canin food. Wish I had used it a lot earlier in her life. Dogs need appropriate dog food not people food, not boiled chicken or other homemade food that lacks the special amino acids and vitamins dogs need.
DO NOT FEED DOG THE FOLLOWING:
Onions, Garlic, ketchup, Tarragon, eggs (If allergies), Chocolate, sugar, fatty foods, GMO-based foods, grapes, wine, grapes juice. Note: fruit juice and vegetable juice can be added to food in miniscule amount once in a while when needed but dogs can get diabetes very easily from fruits and carrots n sweet vegies….but apples can help with diarrhea and with constipation in small amounts.
Just find a dogfood that has fewest ingreds as possible (without compromising nutrients).
at first, I suggest white meat chicken minced for a couple days offered in very small amounts offered several times a day and also, try to entertain buying organ meat (not a fatty organ) just something like chicken hearts, then cooking some of those hearts and storing them in fridge to be used as treats. My dog is finicky to no end but act like this organ meat is a treat, and she’ll scarf it down every time! Organ meat is great for dogs!
We choose the latter & glad we did as the liver cytology showed normal hepatocytes but inflammatory infiltrate ie no hepatocellular carcinoma. He was kept in hospital for 2 nights on Iv fluids, pain relief & started on antibiotics.
He came home yesterday & while still exhausted he looks to be on the improve. We were also prescribed tablets to support the liver enzymes (Denamarin). Just monitoring now & feeding Hills low fat can food mixed with water & praying for a full recovery.
Pancreatitis is fast in onset, your dog may not show outward signs of pain but look out for sudden panting, lack of energy & hiding or not responding/ interacting as usual. Hope this helps & best wishes for your “good boy or girl”.
5 cups oat flour (could do 1/2 brown rice flour if you choose)
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 can pumpkin (100% natural with no spices-can be found in most groceries stores).
Mix all up and spoon onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
I cook about 40 minutes or so on 325 degrees.
As my girls (yorkie sisters) are 13 and have lost many of their teeth, I watch the cookies closely and take out when they are fairly firm but not hard. Recipe makes a bunch and I just store in refrigerator. They do keep for quite some time. From the time I start mixing them until they are cool enough to eat, my two girls sit in kitchen waiting.
Jersey, my girl with the pancreatitis has been losing weight though even though she eats well so I still worry. Vet keeps telling me she is very healthy considering and she definitely is not in any pain so we just keep loving her.
My 9 year old dachshund has been diagnosed with EPI, pancreatitis. My vet gives me liquid b12 shots to give him every other day and digestive enzymes in a pill form to crush and put over his food. He was eating regular but then he stopped for a few days and became gaunt. My vet gave him and IV drip, which helped. He started drinking a lot more, and just the last few days he’s been eating once a day, which is very exciting, but he is so thin and turns up his nose to a lot of food.
I can get him to eat boiled chicken but then he stopped wanting it. And now he’s liking pork, but I’m wondering what else y’all have had success feeding yalls dogs with? He must gain weight, but it must be healthy spiceless food. Any suggestions? I can still see most his bones but I feel like he is gaining strength I just need some ideas on what else to feed him to nourish his weight.
Thanks you guys, anything helps 🙂
-appreciate it
Naomi
Now that I know a little about cushings I think my girls had it for years.
She’s a 12 yr old Jack Russell. She’s had a hard last 6 months and I’m really worried I’m going to lose her.
I lost my 14yr old 6 months ago and chick (my jack) has just gone downhill since.
This Monday is 2 weeks since she ruptured her cruciate ligament. … A cpl of days after that she was diagnosed with cushings (the pituitary) them meds should arrive early next week. And on Monday she was really sick. (Vomiting)
Ive taken her to the vets straight away. Pancreatitis. Not a lot of information was given by the vet (which I’m fuming about) lots of money happily taken. She stayed overnight on an iv drip. Tuesday, she’s made a massive improvement (they fed her a little bit of chicken) and they were semi happy for me to take her home. So I thought she’d be good to go home (in 12 years she’s never not eaten but back to eating, again I thought she was fine). Nope. Not fine. She was so weak when we got home I just let her sleep. She’d been pumped full of medication, spent a night away from me (which she’s not used to at all) anyway I almost took her back in but I thought she’ll be ok. She’ll eat a little bit later. Nope. (I must add, before I left the vets they gave her an anti nausea injection – and something to increase her appetite) but she wasn’t interested in food. No food. Had a few sips of water when I’d put the bowl up to her but nope.
Wed morning, we go back in. She’s back on the drip. She stayed wed night and Thursday night (I’ve visited her twice each day – morning and night) she’s looked better and then she’s looked bad. It’s really messing with her and I can tell because I’m her mother and she’s showing me.
I’m about to go in soon to see her. I spoke with one of the vet nurses this morning and today she looks great and is “comfortable” but she’s not interested in food so they were going to give her some different meds to see if she’ll eat. So pretty much – they want her to stay in again overnight if she hasn’t eaten by this afternoon.
It’s cost me 500 per night, plus ultrasounds and X-rays and every consultation fee and meds left right and centre and I’m starting to go broke. I’m so upset and pissed off with all the mucking around. I just want my girl healthy and home. This Monday will be 2 weeks since she did her knee and I’m worried sick about her recovery from surgery once she can have surgery (God knows when now because of everything else)
She’s 12kgs and a Jack Russell. I’m not a bad mother. She’s just seem to have had every symptom possible of cushings.
I’m devastated. Can anyone shed some light on me?
I’m not giving up on her. She’s my world. I am starting to become broke and I don’t have pet insurance (I tried a few hrs ago but was declined because of age)
Can someone/anyone give me any advice please
These were most of the symptoms my dog who was diagnosed yesterday had. Mainly the shaking means pain.