Pancreatitis in Dogs

As the festive season draws near, we find ourselves surrounded by loved ones, delicious food, and festive cheer. It’s a time for indulgence and generosity, and often, our furry family members are right by our side, hoping for a taste of the holiday feast. With their big, pleading eyes, it’s easy to give in and slip them a little treat. But while we may feel like we’re spoiling them, sharing those rich leftovers can do more harm than good. One thing we especially need to watch out for during the festive season is pancreatitis.

“The pancreas is by far the most complex organ in the body.”

Patrick Soon-Shiong, Surgeon and Medical researcher

Pancreatitis is a serious condition, manifesting as an inflammation of the pancreas. It can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-term and recurring). The symptoms can be easily overlooked or mistaken for another illness. Understanding the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures can help you protect your dog from this potentially life-threatening disease.

What is Pancreatitis and the Pancreas?

The pancreas is an important organ in your dog’s body. It has two main jobs essential for digestion and metabolism: 

1. Its exocrine function involves producing enzymes—such as trypsinogen, phospholipase, proelastase, and amylase—that break down food in the gut (fat, sugar, starch and protein), enabling the body to absorb and utilise nutrients effectively. 
2. Its endocrine function is to produce the hormones insulin and glucagon, which play a critical role in regulating blood sugar levels, ensuring a balanced energy supply throughout the body.

In a healthy dog, these digestive enzymes don’t activate until they reach the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) , where they help digest food safely. But with pancreatitis, something goes wrong. The enzymes become active while they’re still in the pancreas, which causes the pancreas to start digesting its own tissues. This leads to inflammation, pain, and swelling, which can make your dog feel very unwell.

The damage isn’t limited to just the pancreas. If not treated quickly, pancreatitis can also cause harm to other nearby organs, like the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, and intestines leading to more serious health problems, such as internal bleeding, or even organ failure in severe cases.

Types of Pancreatitis

There are two main types in dogs: Acute Pancreatitis and Chronic Pancreatitis. These describe how severe the condition is and how much damage is done to the pancreas. Here’s a breakdown of both:

Chronic Pancreatitis

This type is characterised by long-term, recurring inflammation of the pancreas. While the symptoms may be less severe than acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis can cause lasting damage to the pancreas over time, leading to issues like enzyme insufficiency and diabetes. It often results from repeated episodes of mild acute pancreatitis or underlying conditions like genetic predisposition, autoimmune disorders, or long-term dietary factors.

This type can also cause problems in other organs, like the liver, gallbladder or intestines, and can lead to serious infections or organ failure.

Chronic manifestations of pancreatitis include diabetes mellitus (30-40% of dogs with diabetes have pancreatitis) or loss of digestive enzyme production (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency).

Acute vs. Chronic Pancreatitis

Both forms of pancreatitis can range in severity, though acute is generally more intense. In its early stages, acute pancreatitis can present symptoms similar to chronic pancreatitis, making it challenging to distinguish between the two initially. Management typically involves dietary adjustments and, in severe cases, medical interventions.

An acute condition usually happens suddenly after a specific trigger, like eating a high-fat meal, trauma or disease. Chronic pancreatitis develops over time, with repeated episodes of inflammation, which can lead to permanent damage to the pancreas.

Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the damaged parts of the pancreas. The recovery process is much harder, and in some cases, the dog might need ongoing care for the rest of its life. No matter which type, early diagnosis and proper treatment are key to helping your dog recover and live a healthy life.

Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs

There isn’t always a clear reason why pancreatitis occurs, but several factors are known to increase the risk. Regardless of the type, certain factors can increase the risk of pancreatitis in dogs:

• Diet: High-fat foods are the most common cause. Dogs who consume fatty table scraps, leftovers, or are fed diets too rich in fat are particularly at risk.Spoiled food can also play a role. So can chocolate.
• Obesity: Overweight dogs are more susceptible to pancreatitis, especially when combined with a poor diet.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Dogs with conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or Cushing’s disease may have a higher risk.
• Gallstones: When a gallstone gets stuck in the bile ducts, it can cause pancreatic enzymes to back up into the pancreas leading to inflammation.
• Infections: Canine Babesiosis is a common, highly virulent disease in Southern Africa with even pups and juveniles being severely affected.  Canine leishmaniasis is an exotic and controlled disease in South Africa. 
• Medications: Some drugs, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics and chemotherapy may trigger pancreatitis in certain dogs.
• Genetics: Certain breeds, such as Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels, are predisposed to pancreatitis.
• Trauma: Physical injury to the pancreas or abdominal area can result in inflammation.
• Age: Older dogs can be more prone to develop pancreatitis, especially if they have been eating an unbalanced diet and has a compromised immune system.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can be tricky to diagnose because the symptoms are often unclear and can look like other health problems. The signs can vary depending on how many enzymes are activated too early and how severe the condition is. Common symptoms of pancreatitis include:

If you notice any of these signs, especially if your dog has recently eaten fatty foods or is prone to pancreatitis, it’s important to take them to the vet right away.

Treatment for Pancreatitis

While there isn’t a specific cure for pancreatitis, early diagnosis and prompt medical care are crucial for successful treatment. It’s very important to work closely with your vet, as pancreatitis can vary in severity and may require professional monitoring and adjustments to the treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to “rest” the pancreas, allowing the body to heal. For dogs with mild cases, especially edematous pancreatitis, treatment is mostly supportive. Here’s what typical treatment involves:

• Fasting: If your dog is vomiting, it’s important to stop feeding him temporarily to give the pancreas time to rest. 
• Dietary Changes: Once your dog is stable and not vomiting, he can be fed a low-fat, easily digestible diet. This helps avoid putting extra strain on the pancreas while it recovers.
• Hospitalisation: For moderate to severe cases, your dog may need to stay in the hospital. He will receive IV fluids to prevent dehydration and stabilise the condition.
• Pain Management: Pancreatitis can be painful, so your vet may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to help your dog feel more comfortable.
• Monitoring for Complications: In severe cases, pancreatitis can lead to serious issues like infections in other organs, organ failure, or abscesses. These complications require close monitoring and may need further medical treatment.

By following these steps and ensuring your dog receives proper care, the pancreas has time to recover, and your dog’s overall health can improve.

Prevention: How to Lower the Risk

Preventing pancreatitis largely revolves around managing your dog’s diet and overall health:

1. Avoid High-Fat Foods: Resist the temptation to share rich meals or table scraps with your dog; bacon grease, fat trimmings, sausage, butter, and fried foods are especially dangerous for your dog’s pancreas. Instead, stick to healthy, dog-friendly treats that are low in fat.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Keeping your dog at a healthy weight through proper diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk. 
3. Consult Your Vet on Medications: If your dog is on any long-term medications, ask your vet whether these could increase the risk of pancreatitis.
4. Regular Checkups: Routine veterinary visits will help you catch underlying conditions early and ensure your dog’s overall health is monitored.
5. Do you have more than one dog? If your other dog doesn’t need to lose weight, you may still feed them the same food in a larger portion, based on advice from your vet. Feed each dog separately to prevent sharing or overeating—ideally in different rooms. Allow about 15 to 30 minutes for meals, then remove any leftover food until the next feeding.

Dietary Advice for Dogs with Pancreatitis

Dogs recovering from pancreatitis or prone to chronic episodes need a carefully managed diet. Here are some general dietary recommendations:

• Low-Fat Diets: Feed a specially formulated low-fat diet prescribed by/recommended by your vet. This will help reduce the strain on the pancreas.
• Small, Frequent Meals: Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can aid digestion and reduce the burden on the pancreas.
• Low-Fat Treats: Keep treats minimal and stick to low-fat, healthy options like vegetables, fruits, berries or specially formulated dog treats.
• Stay Hydrated: Ensure your dog is drinking plenty of fresh water.

Nutritional Supplements: Certain supplements may help dogs who are recovering from pancreatitis. Consider discussing these with your vet:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the pancreas.
• Probiotics: Probiotics may help support gut health, especially after a period of illness or fasting. During an acute inflammation of the pancreas, supplementing with probiotics is not recommended.

Always consult your vet before making significant changes to your dog’s diet, especially after an episode of acute pancreatitis.

Nala Health senior food is also formulated to accommodate dogs who need moderate protein, less fat, and calories, and can be an option for dogs with pancreatitis. Always consult with your vet in regards to diet change, as every dog is unique. 

Prognosis: What to Expect

The prognosis for dogs with pancreatitis varies depending on the severity of the condition, how quickly it was treated, and whether it is acute or chronic. Dogs with mild or chronic pancreatitis generally have a higher chance of survival compared to those with severe or acute forms of the condition. 

Severe cases of acute pancreatitis can lead to complications such as organ failure, which may be life-threatening. Complications like pancreatic abscesses or abdominal infections pose significant risks and can be life-threatening. However, early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving your dog’s chances of recovery.

A few dogs who recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the disease, which is then called chronic or relapsing pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Pancreatitis in dogs is a serious condition, but it’s often preventable with the right precautions. By managing your dog’s diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and recognizing the signs early, you can reduce the risk of pancreatitis and ensure your dog stays happy and healthy throughout the year—especially during the festive season, when indulgent treats may be more readily available. You can read more about pancreatitis in our story about Zaffi.