Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs

Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs

By: Dr. Debra Primovic

Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Diagnosis In-depth

Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize acute pancreatitis and exclude other diseases. Tests may include:

  • Your veterinarian will take a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. The abdominal will be carefully examined by palpation to test for abdominal pain and abdominal masses.

  • A complete blood count (CBC or hemogram) to evaluate for infection or inflammation, anemia, and low platelet count.

  • A serum biochemical profile to evaluate the general health of your dog and the possible effects of pancreatitis on other body systems.

  • Urinalysis may be recommended to evaluate your dog's kidney function and check for urinary tract infection.

  • Serum enzyme activities including amylase, lipase and trypsin-like immunoreactivity may be recommended to evaluate for pancreatitis.
    Some of these enzyme activities (amylase, lipase) are readily available but may be of limited value in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Trypsin-like immunoreactivity is a test that likely will require shipping of a serum sample to a specialty laboratory.

  • Abdominal X-rays may be recommended to evaluate the region of the abdomen in which the pancreas is located ("right cranial quadrant") and to help eliminate other potential causes of your dog's symptoms.

  • X-rays taken after administration of a radiographic contrast agent ("GI series" or "barium series") may be recommended if intestinal obstruction is suspected.

  • Abdominal ultrasound examination may be recommended. This test may help identify abnormalities within the pancreas and other abdominal organs. Ultrasound examination may identify masses, cysts, or abscesses within the pancreas, and also can identify biliary obstruction caused by pancreatic swelling. This examination may require referral to a veterinary specialist.

    •  
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Review the Most Frequent Questions
    Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians
    Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Obesity in Dogs

      The primary causes of obesity in dogs are overeating and lack of exercise. When regular caloric intake exceeds the energy burned, the excess is stored as fat on your dog.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Anorexia (Loss of Appetite) in Dogs

      Anorexia is a term used to describe the situation where an animal loses his appetite and does not want to eat or is unable to eat. Appetite is psychological, as compared to hunger, which is aroused by...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Vomiting in Dogs

      At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Dietary Related Gastrointestinal Disorder in Dogs

      Dietary related gastrointestinal disorders are adverse reactions to foods that result in the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, most notably vomiting and diarrhea, that may be caused by an abnormal immune...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Pain in Dogs

      Pain is the perception of distress, suffering or agony caused by stimulation of specialized nerve endings. It is a protective measure that often serves as a warning that tissues are being damaged.

      Read MoreRead More
    Related Articles
    • 1Vomiting in Dogs

      At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Anorexia (Loss of Appetite) in Dogs

      Anorexia is a term used to describe the situation where an animal loses his appetite and does not want to eat or is unable to eat. Appetite is psychological, as compared to hunger, which is aroused by...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Dietary Related Gastrointestinal Disorder in Dogs

      Dietary related gastrointestinal disorders are adverse reactions to foods that result in the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, most notably vomiting and diarrhea, that may be caused by an abnormal immune...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Obesity in Dogs

      The primary causes of obesity in dogs are overeating and lack of exercise. When regular caloric intake exceeds the energy burned, the excess is stored as fat on your dog.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Pain in Dogs

      Pain is the perception of distress, suffering or agony caused by stimulation of specialized nerve endings. It is a protective measure that often serves as a warning that tissues are being damaged.

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Vomiting in Dogs

      At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Anorexia (Loss of Appetite) in Dogs

      Anorexia is a term used to describe the situation where an animal loses his appetite and does not want to eat or is unable to eat. Appetite is psychological, as compared to hunger, which is aroused by...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Dietary Related Gastrointestinal Disorder in Dogs

      Dietary related gastrointestinal disorders are adverse reactions to foods that result in the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, most notably vomiting and diarrhea, that may be caused by an abnormal immune...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Obesity in Dogs

      The primary causes of obesity in dogs are overeating and lack of exercise. When regular caloric intake exceeds the energy burned, the excess is stored as fat on your dog.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Pain in Dogs

      Pain is the perception of distress, suffering or agony caused by stimulation of specialized nerve endings. It is a protective measure that often serves as a warning that tissues are being damaged.

      Read MoreRead More