Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs

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Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs

By: Dr. Debra Primovic

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Section: Overview

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests are needed to identify acute pancreatitis and exclude other diseases. These may include one or more of the following:

A complete medical history and a complete physical examination including careful palpation of the abdomen to check for pain or abdominal masses.

A complete blood count (CBC or hemogram) to evaluate the severity of the inflammatory process as well as to check for anemia and low platelet count.

Serum biochemical tests to evaluate your dog's general health and to determine the effect of pancreatitis on other body systems.

Serum enzyme tests including amylase and lipase are usually measured; however, these tests are not ideal and can be normal in dogs with pancreatitis. The serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity is a newer test that has been used to determine if pancreatic enzymes are being released into the bloodstream; however, the value of this test is still in question.

Abdominal X-rays to evaluate for haziness in the region of the pancreas (right cranial quadrant)

Abdominal ultrasound examination to evaluate for swelling of the pancreas, presence of pancreatic abscess or cyst or presence of peritonitis. During ultrasound examination, a specialized probe is applied to the abdomen and an image is generated on a monitor by the reflection of ultrasonic waves from the organs of the abdomen. This procedure is not painful and is well-tolerated without sedation.

Treatment

Severe pancreatitis can be life-threatening and requires intensive therapy. Treatment for acute pancreatitis may include the following:

Food and water is withheld for 24 to 72 hours so as to rest the pancreas. This approach may be sufficient for dogs with mild pancreatitis.

Fluids may be administered subcutaneously or intravenously to correct dehydration and to provide the dog's daily fluid requirements during the period that food and water are withheld.

Food and water is gradually re-introduced if your dog responds favorably in the first few days. A bland diet (low in fat) is offered in small quantity if your pet has improved and has not vomited for at least 24 hours.

Abdominal pain is treated by cage rest, withholding food and water and administration of pain medications as necessary.

Antibiotics may be administered to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections.

Surgery may be necessary in severe cases and those complicated by pancreatic abscess, pancreatic cyst or peritonitis.

Home Care

At home, administer as directed any medications prescribed by your veterinarian and follow any special dietary recommendations.

Observe your dog's general activity level, appetite and attitude. Watch for loss of appetite, lethargy, or vomiting. Feed a low fat diet so as to maintain a normal body weight for your dog. Avoid exposure to table scraps, garbage, or other sources of high fat foods.

Schedule regular follow-up visits with your veterinarian to monitor your dog's progress and promptly identify any recurrence of pancreatitis.

Preventive Care

Acute pancreatitis is difficult to prevent. Attempts to prevent pancreatitis may include:

Weight loss in obese dogs followed by maintenance of a normal body weight.

Feeding a low fat diet.

Avoidance of table scraps.

Attempts to lower blood fat (lipid) concentration in animals with abnormal blood lipid concentrations (e.g. some miniature schnauzers).

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