Whether your beloved Canine companion has just gotten out of puppyhood or is fast approaching its golden years, they can be affected by various medical conditions, problems, or illnesses. Whether it’s a hereditary disease like allergies, hip/elbow dysplasia, inherited cancers, and hypothyroidism, or a disease with no sex, age, or breed predisposition like canine hip dysplasia or canine Pancreatitis.

The latter is a common condition in dogs, with pancreatitis prevalent in as many as 34% of the American canine population. Yet, when our furry friend first receives their diagnosis, it can send our hearts running for the hills, and a swarm of questions bombards our brains. 

From what are the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs to what causes pancreatitis in dogs? It can be challenging to focus on asking one question before answering another. When your dog is ill, you want answers fast, which is why we’ve produced this article answering some of the most common FAQs about pancreatitis in dogs so that you have a better understanding of this condition and how to support your furry friend throughout it. 

What is Canine Pancreatitis? 

Unless you’re a vet or a medical professional, you are unlikely to have come across the term ‘canine pancreatitis’ until the fateful day your canine companion was first diagnosed. So, if you turned your head to the side and creased your brow in confusion upon this revelation, we’ll first explain what pancreatitis in dogs is. 

The medical explanation of pancreatitis in dogs is simple: ‘inflammation of the pancreas.’ Yet, like all medical conditions, there is more to it than meets the eye. The pancreas is a small organ in the digestive system that releases enzymes that help the digestive process. 

Usually, these enzymes only activate once they reach the small intestine, but pancreatitis causes them to activate once they’re released, causing damage to the pancreas, surrounding tissue, and other organs. In more severe cases of pancreatitis in dogs, the enzymes can slowly start to digest the pancreas itself, which can be agonizing for your pooch. 

What Are The Tell-Tale Signs Of Pancreatitis In Dogs? 

Typically, dogs have two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Depending on your canine companion’s classification, the tell-tale signs of the illness can differ tremendously. If your dog has acute pancreatitis, it may display the following symptoms: 

• Severe Dehydration 
• Frequent Vomiting 
• Stomach Pain 
• Severe Lethargy
• Coordination Problems (shock and collapse) 

Whereas if your dog is suffering from chronic pancreatitis, the symptoms might be less severe, like the following: 

• Bouts Of Lethargy 
• Diminished Appetite Or Reluctance To Eat
• Stomach Pains 
• Vomiting Occasionally 

If you’d like to learn more about the symptoms of canine pancreatitis, consider contacting your local veterinarian so that they can explain them in further detail. Or you could conduct your own research by using online learning materials like the ones from Native Pet. 

Primarily a pet nutrition and supplement manufacturer, they also produce a range of helpful articles aimed at pet owners covering a wide range of topics from pancreatitis in dogs to the types of food you should and shouldn’t feed your dog. Consider visiting their website for more information and how they could help you understand canine pancreatitis today. 

Are Some Breeds More Likely To Get Canine Pancreatitis Than Others? 

Like many medical conditions in dogs, some breeds are more predisposed to contracting canine pancreatitis than others, as well as those that take specific medications. Some of the most likely species to contract canine pancreatitis are as follows: 

• Miniature Schnauzers 
• English Cocker Spaniels 
• Minatare Poodles 
• Yorkshire Terriers 
• Border Collies 
• Boxers, and many more. 

Some dogs can also be more prone to canine pancreatitis due to certain factors like weight, age, sex, and medication they may already be taking. For instance, canine pancreatitis is more common in middle-aged to senior-aged dogs and breeds that are overweight than a healthy weight.

Medication can also play a role in diagnosing canine pancreatitis, with treatments like chemotherapy, calcium, estrogen, vinca alkaloids, and certain antibiotics increasing the risk of contracting the condition. 

What Is The Main Cause Of Pancreatitis In Dogs? 

Although canine pancreatitis can affect any breed of dog regardless of its sex or age, the most likely cause for pancreatitis in dogs is thought to be the ingestion of a fatty meal or corticosteroid injection. The most common reason for diagnosis is that the dog got into the garbage and ate something that it shouldn’t of. 

Despite the onset of canine pancreatitis being more than often spontaneous, there are a variety of causes and risk factors that can increase a dog’s chance of contracting the condition sooner, like a dietary indiscretion, severe blunt trauma, endocrine diseases, obesity, or agentic predisposition. Yet more often than not, the majority of cases of canine pancreatitis are random. Find out more about other common canine health problems here.

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