Dog Pancreatitis Treatment: What Every Gaithersburg Pet Owner Needs to Know

Dogs that suddenly refuse food, stoop and are in pain, and/or keep vomiting, may have pancreatitis. It is one of the most frequently occurring gastrointestinal emergencies that we see at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, and it is also one of the most misunderstood emergencies. Dog pancreatitis treatment – what exactly is it and will my dog recover? – is a question we hear in a dozen different ways from pet owners. Through this guide you’ll learn the first signs of a problem and what to expect when you recover at home if your dog is ever diagnosed.

What is Pancreatitis in Dogs?

The pancreas is a small but important gland, located close to the stomach and small bowel. It serves two purposes: to create enzymes to break down food, and to produce insulin to control blood sugar. If the pancreas is inflamed, these digestive enzymes may begin to start working prematurely and digest the pancreas. This is known as pancreatitis and can be a mild, manageable upset or a serious emergency that can be life-threatening.

Dogs with pancreatitis are usually considered to have either acute pancreatitis (a sudden, intense attack) or chronic pancreatitis (a lower-grade, recurring attack). Treatment of pancreatitis in dogs is the same for both forms, but the severity of the episode and the type of pancreatitis will greatly influence the intensity of the treatment.

The Most Frequent Causes and Risk Factors

There is in most cases not a single definitive cause; veterinarians will frequently say that the cause of pancreatitis in dogs is idiopathic, or it’s not completely understood. However, there are a number of risk factors that frequently repeat themselves:

• Table scraps or a high fat meal. An old favorite trigger is fatty food, such as bacon grease, fried leftovers or holiday foods.
• Obesity. Dogs that are overweight are at a much greater risk.
• Certain breeds. Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire terriers and other small breeds appear to be more susceptible.
• Endocrine conditions. Certain conditions like diabetes, Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism have a relationship with an increase in the risk of pancreatitis.
• Certain medications. Certain chemotherapy agents and steroids have been reported to cause inflammation in the pancreas.
• Underlying GI disease. IBD dogs or other dogs with digestive issues may be more likely to have a flare up.

Knowing these risk factors is important because prevention is as crucial as dog pancreatitis treatment itself: after the first episode, a dog is more likely to have another.

Identify Warning Signs

Many of the symptoms of pancreatitis can be mistaken for other digestive ailments, so it’s easy for owners to think, “It’s just an upset stomach. Symptoms of pancreatitis are similar to many other digestive problems, so it can be easy for the owner to say, “It’s just an upset stomach. Watch for:

• Repeated vomiting
• Failure to eat or drink, even favorite food and beverages
• Decreased movement, or lethargy or reluctance to move
• Having a hunched posture or a “praying position” with the front legs down and the back end up
• If abdominal pain is felt when pressure is applied close to the abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Dehydration

Don’t wait it out at home if you see a few of these symptoms at once, particularly vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy. How effective your dog’s pancreatitis treatment is and how fast your dog gets better depends on early intervention.

How Pancreatitis is Diagnosed

The diagnosis of pancreatitis in a veterinarian is determined by the following:

First, when you bring your dog in with suspected pancreatitis our team at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital usually begins with:

1. Physical examination to assess for abdominal pain, dehydration and fever.
2. Blood tests (including a special test for pancreatic lipase, one of the more sensitive indicators of pancreatic inflammation).
3. Abdominal ultrasound or X-rays to help see the pancreas, exclude foreign object obstruction, and to see if there is any complication.
4. Further laboratory investigations to evaluate kidney and liver function, electrolytes and hydration, as kidney and liver can be involved in severe cases and may have a general effect on the body.

The initial key to a successful dog pancreatitis treatment is a fast and accurate diagnosis. This will help us decide if your dog needs hospitalisation or outpatient treatment.

Dog Pancreatitis Treatment: The Core Approach

There is no one pill to cure pancreatitis. Rather, treatment for dog pancreatitis is geared towards supportive care, providing time and rest for the pancreas to heal, while also alleviating pain, dehydration and nutrition issues. These are the key elements:

1. Fluid Therapy

Vomiting and anorexia (lack of appetite) cause most of the dogs with pancreatitis to become dehydrated. It is recommended to provide intravenous fluids to help hydrate the body, to allow for blood flow to the pancreas and to flush inflammatory byproducts out of the system. In moderate and severe cases, this is usually the most critical component of the treatment for dog pancreatitis.

2. Pain Management

Dogs are not good at showing signs of pain and pancreatitis really hurts! Injectable pain medication is also a common part of hospital treatment, and has a significant effect on a dog’s appetite and mobility.

3. Anti-Nausea Medication

It is important to control vomiting not only for comfort, but also because it makes dehydration worse. Nutritional support will be started earlier with antiemetic (anti-stomach) medications.

4. Nutritional Support

In the past, pancreatitis was considered an “orally resistant” disease and treatment consisted of not feeding the dog at all (“resting the gut”). New veterinary advice is that providing your dog with a small amount of an easily digested, low-fat diet as soon as they can eat it (not before) can actually help them heal, and keep them from having to spend as long in hospital.

5. Hospitalization for Severe Cases

In dogs that have moderate to severe pancreatitis, they may require the inpatient treatment of fluids, pain control, and feeding for 2-4 days that can be monitored closely. In the most severe cases, if it is a shock or systemic complications, more intensive, round-the-clock treatment is needed.

6. Emerging Targeted Therapies

A new drug that has become available in veterinary medicine in recent years is an anti-inflammatory drug that is injected directly into the pancreas and is effective for a few consecutive days, specifically for treating acute pancreatitis, and not just supportive therapy. Your vet will be able to talk with you about the possibility of this treatment being appropriate as a part of your dog’s pancreatitis treatment plan.

7. Managing Underlying Conditions

Any underlying condition that may have helped trigger the flare up, such as diabetes or Cushing’s disease, must be treated as well. If not, your dog is still at risk of another episode after a successful dog pancreatitis treatment.

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At-Home Recovery & Long-Term Diet Management

Post-hospital care involves careful management of a dog’s diet and continues once they are stable enough to be safely discharged home. Where a lot of long-term success (or relapse) takes place:

• Food that is low in fat, and easy to digest. At least for the short term, often for life, many dogs benefit from a prescription gastrointestinal diet or low-fat diet.
• No part of a meal is considered table scraps, never. This is non-negotiable. One fat treat can lead to another outburst.
• Meal size – smaller, more frequent portions than one or two large meals.
• Slowly introducing back regular feed, only with your veterinarian’s supervision.
• Exercise weight control, because a healthy weight reduces the risk of recurrence.
• Blood work follow-up to establish that markers of inflammation are decreasing.

One common question that owners ask is how long is the recovery period? Depending on the severity or chronicity of the case, a few days of dog pancreatitis treatment may be enough for the animal to get better, or it may take weeks until the animal is more stable, which requires dietary modification and monitoring.

Prognosis: What to Realistically Expect

The prognosis is dependent on severity. When it comes to the treatment of mild to moderate pancreatitis, dogs usually recover to a normal, happy life if treatment is initiated early. Dogs with a severe, hemorrhagic pancreatitis or those who go into shock have a poorer prognosis, and require immediate, aggressive treatment. With repeated or more severe cases, however, certain complications can arise, such as diabetes mellitus or improper digestion, making it essential to get the dog pancreatitis treatment right, not only for the acute attack, but also for the long term health of your pet.

If your pet requires treatment for any of the following conditions, please contact Grove Center Veterinary Hospital.

Please do not wait to see if your dog’s vomit clears up if your dog is vomiting repeatedly, doesn’t eat, appears to be in pain around the belly or is very lethargic. The disease can progress rapidly and a dog diagnosed with pancreatitis who is treated promptly will have a much better prognosis than one that waits to be treated. Our Gaithersburg staff will be with you from your initial visit to the office to the duration of your pet’s recovery, helping you to monitor and care for your dogs’ progress through a comprehensive treatment plan that includes diet management.

Conclusion

It can be very distressing to watch your dog go from playing happily to being unwell and lousy, as if overnight, as they develop pancreatitis. However, with early diagnosis and hospital supportive care and a willingness to follow a dietary plan following discharge most dogs will make a good recovery. The dog pancreatitis treatment plan isn’t necessarily to get your dog through the current episode. To create a long-term plan to help your dog avoid reentering the exam room with the same issue, via weight management, smart feeding, and watching for underlying issues. Call Grove Center Veterinary Hospital immediately if you have any concern about any warning signs. The first step to a successful recovery is to take action.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. The first step in the treatment of pancreatitis in a dog is:

Stabilisation, which typically involves correcting for dehydration with fluids via an IV, controlling pain and dealing with vomiting, is the initial treatment. This initial supportive care usually goes hand in hand with diagnosis via bloodwork and imaging.

2. How Can Dog Pancreatitis Be Treated at Home?

If a dog’s condition is mild and they are able to receive treatment at home, they can sometimes be treated with anti-nausea drugs, pain management and a strict low-fat diet, but this should always be done with a veterinarian’s guidance following a physical examination. Moderate to severe cases typically need to be hospitalized.

3. How long does pancreatitis treatment take in dogs?

Treatment for pancreatitis in dogs usually takes 10 to 14 days. If the symptoms are mild, they may get better within a few days. In severe cases and chronic pancreatitis, dogs might require a few weeks of hospitalisation, diet change and close supervision before they get better.

4. What foods can I give my dog once he has recovered from pancreatitis?

Don’t give fatty table scraps, fried foods, high-fat treats and rich meats. To avoid the chance of a repeat of the flare-up, most dogs will need a low fat, easily digested food, sometimes for their entire lives.

5. Is pancreatitis in dogs deadly?

It can be. Prognosis for mild cases is good with timely treatment, but severe and hemorrhagic pancreatitis may cause shock, organ complications, and can be fatal without prompt treatment.

6. Are some dogs more likely to get pancreatitis?

Yes, some dogs are more susceptible to pancreatitis. Yes. Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers and other small breeds seem to have an increased predisposition but pancreatitis can affect any dog, particularly if they are overweight or overindulgent in high fat diets.

7. What tests can be used to diagnose pancreatitis?

Canine pancreatic lipase blood tests, abdominal ultrasound and physical exam findings are usually used to diagnose inflammation and exclude other causes, such as an obstructed intestine.

8. Does my dog have to live on a special diet after pancreatitis?

In most cases, a low fat diet should be maintained in the long term after a severe or repeated episode, as this is the best food choice for the dog. Your vet will be able to tell if your dog in particular needs to change his diet permanently or not.

9. Is it possible for pancreatitis to return if treated?

Of course, it can happen again if the diet and weight loss are not carefully monitored afterward. Because, continuous prevention is only as much as the complete treatment of dog pancreatitis and not just afterthought.

10. If my dog shows signs of pancreatitis, when should I take him to the veterinarian?

When repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or lethargy are noticed, immediately. Pancreatitis may suddenly get worse, so it is best to have it checked by a veterinarian, rather than waiting to see if it gets better by itself.

Compassionate and knowledgeable treatment for your dog’s stomach condition, from diagnosis to healing, at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, Gaithersburg, MD.