This Thanksgiving, Avoid Pet Pancreatitis by NOT Sharing Fatty Table Scraps with your Pets!

How Serious is Pancreatitis, and How do Vets Treat it?

Pancreatitis is a type of inflammation that affects the pancreas, a vital pink organ located between the stomach and small intestine. This organ is extremely important for your pet’s well-being as it performs two essential functions: producing digestive enzymes to help with food digestion and secreting hormones like insulin and glucagon, which are responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.

In a healthy state, the pancreas produces and stores potent digestive enzymes to break down food. However, during pancreatitis, inflammation disrupts the normal function of the pancreas, leading to the premature activation of these enzymes. This can result in internal inflammation and increase the risk of potential infections. In severe cases, pancreatitis can also affect insulin production, potentially leading to diabetes mellitus and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, where insufficient digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas.

In many cases, the cause of pancreatitis remains unknown, but we do know some of the events that can trigger it. Trauma to the pancreas, such as being hit by a car or attacked by another animal, as well as surgical manipulation, can cause inflammation and pancreatitis. In dogs, consuming a high-fat meal is a classic cause of pancreatitis. Obesity poses a risk due to altered fat metabolism. Cats may have an association between pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease. It is theorized that inflamed intestines can lead to bacterial overgrowth. These bacteria can move up the pancreatic duct, causing inflammation and infection in the pancreas. The use of certain drugs, such as sulfa-containing antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and some anti-seizure medications, can predispose an animal to pancreatitis. Additionally, exposure to organophosphate insecticides has been linked to cases of pancreatitis. Certain breeds, such as miniature Schnauzers, are predisposed to pancreatitis due to commonly having altered fat metabolism.

Identifying pancreatitis in dogs is relatively straightforward, as symptoms typically include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, a painful abdomen, and fever. However, diagnosing pancreatitis in cats can be more challenging. According to a recent study, only 35% of cats with pancreatitis showed signs of vomiting, and just 25% exhibited abdominal pain. Fever can be a potential indicator, but it is often accompanied by a low body temperature. Lethargy and loss of appetite are consistent signs, with nearly all cats experiencing reduced or no appetite, and about half experiencing weight loss.

Diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult, especially chronic pancreatitis. Confirmation of the diagnosis is aided by blood work and diagnostic imaging. Additionally, newer dog and cat-specific pancreatic enzyme blood assay tests help confirm the diagnosis.

The usual treatment involves rehydrating the patient with intravenous fluids, which restores circulation to the pancreas. Perfusion of the pancreas enables harmful inflammatory toxins to be flushed away, allowing the pancreas to heal. This generally requires hospitalization, and fluids are continued until the patient can drink and maintain hydration. Pain and nausea medication is given to keep the patient comfortable, restore interest in food, and prevent dehydration. In dogs, feeding a lower-fat diet (less than 7 percent fat on a dry matter basis) helps prevent the recurrence of pancreatitis.