What is canine pancreatitis

Generally speaking, the inflammatory response of the canine pancreas can be divided into three types: acute, chronic and recurrent. The acute type is divided into two categories: mild and severe. The development of the former is autologous and will not cause multiple systemic problems and complications; the course of the latter is progressive and may cause serious complications. Acute and chronic complications are as follows:
1. Acute complications: shock, hypothermia, peritonitis, intra-abdominal fat necrosis, sepsis, jaundice, acute oligouretic renal failure, decreased intestinal motility, hypocalcemia , high blood sugar and difficulty breathing.
2. Chronic complications: pancreatic abscess and vacuolation, pancreatic fibrosis and atrophy, and bile duct obstruction causing liver disease.

Causes of canine pancreatitis

1. Dogs are obese or eat high-fat food for a long time.
2. Suffering from hyperlipidemia (Schnauzers are related to this).
3. Sick dogs treated with steroids or suffering from high adrenocortical dysfunction.
4. The internal pressure of the pancreatic duct increases, preventing the dog’s pancreatic juice from flowing out.
5. Pancreatic duct obstruction (duodenitis, edema, abnormal movement of tumors or parasites).
6. Infection (ascending intestinal bacteria, canine parvovirus infection, toxoplasmosis or pancreatic leeches).
7. The abdominal cavity is damaged or requires surgery.
8. Pancreatic ischemia, hypotension or embolism.
9. Hypercalcemia.

Clinical symptoms of canine pancreatitis

The clinical symptoms of canine pancreatitis are variable and lack specificity. The more common symptoms include: vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, dehydration, front abdominal palpation At the time of diagnosis, there is pain, diarrhea (sometimes it may be hemorrhagic), fever (due to inflammatory reaction), weakness, and even shock.

Diagnosis of canine pancreatitis

Diagnosis can be made through laboratory tests.
1. Hematology and blood biochemical tests: can enable early detection and early treatment.
2. Ascites fluid analysis, biochemical tests, radiological tests and ultrasound examinations: can be used to determine the disease.

Prevention and treatment measures for canine pancreatitis

1. Hospitalization is usually required and drip treatment is required. If the vomiting is severe, fasting is required. High-protein and high-fat foods should also be avoided. If it is open pancreatitis (pulmonary fluid entering the abdominal cavity), surgical treatment is required.
2. Feed therapy: low-fat, high-protein food should be fed.
3. Symptomatic treatment: People with steatorrhea should supplement pancreatic enzyme preparations, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitaminsD. Vitamin B12, folic acid and tincture. To suppress pancreatic secretion, antacids and antispasmodics are often given.
4. People with diabetes should be treated as diabetes. Generally speaking, this disease will occur regardless of age and gender, but there are also reports that female dogs that are middle-aged, obese and inactive are prone to this disease. In addition, Schnauzers and Dachshunds are more likely to suffer from pancreatitis. If the pancreas itself is severely necrotic, the dog's mortality rate will be quite high.