What Happens When Your Dog Has Inflammation of the Pancreas? What are the symptoms of your dog’s pancreatitis?
In this article you will find everything you need to know about the symptoms of pancreatitis and how to treat it.
Pancreatitis symptoms in dogs: what are the typical signs?
Symptoms such as emaciation, diarrhea, vomiting, yellowing of the mucous membranes and increased breathing are typical of pancreatitis in dogs.
There are also other symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, cardiac arrhythmia, dehydration, loss of appetite and gray or ocher or yellow stools.
The signs of pancreatitis, too pancreatitis called are different. They can occur individually or simultaneously.
vomiting and diarrhea
Since the digestive enzymes can be blocked by gallstones in the case of pancreatitis, the pancreas is massively damaged.
The inflammation is very painful and causes nausea and vomiting.
Another sign of pancreatitis is severe diarrhea.
Digestion is through that not working the breakdown and absorption of the important nutritional components.
As a result, the dog’s intestines no longer function as they should.
Loss of appetite – emaciation – dehydration
The food can no longer be correct metabolized become.
Due to the pain, the four-legged friend does not like to eat and drink.
The result is dehydration and emaciation.
A dog can become massively dehydrated within a few days. The consequences of this can be life-threatening.
Fever – exhaustion
The body tries to defend itself against the inflammation that is raging in the pancreas of your four-legged friend with fever.
Inflammation triggers typical reactions such as fever – destruction of the trigger by heat – and an increased number of white blood cells.
The white blood cells (leukocytes) «eat» the triggers of the inflammation.
The whole process is very taxing and feeding for your dog exhaustion and apathy.
Cardiac arrhythmia – Rapid breathing
In severe cases of pancreatitis in dogs, symptoms like these are typical, as the dog’s cardiovascular system becomes unbalanced.
The heart beats too quickly or too slowly – cardiac arrhythmias.
And the lungs are working through the stress your dog is experiencing due to pancreatitis and increased heart rhythm problems.
Your four-legged friend’s body is so weak that he is less and less able to support his basic functions to maintain.
Yellowing of the mucous membranes – yellow stools
If the liver or gallbladder is also affected by pancreatitis, the mucous membranes may turn yellow.
this will jaundice called.
The yellowing However, it only becomes visible as a symptom if the pancreatitis in dogs has developed over a longer period of time.
The yellow dye must first accumulate in the mucous membranes before it becomes visible.
For the same reason, the stool of a sick dog will also change colour.
When should I go to the vet and what are the treatment options for pancreatitis?
If your dog develops one or more symptoms, or if you just have an odd feeling, be sure to see a veterinarian.
Inflammation of the pancreas is more common and often goes undetected. In the course of a dog’s life, everyone gets sick 10 Dog from pancreatitis.
It is therefore important to recognize pancreatitis and to act quickly.
Danger
Pancreatitis is a very serious condition – it needs to be treated quickly and by a vet!
Diagnosis
There is one for dogs rapid test. This makes the first diagnosis easier in practice.
However, the test is not entirely reliable and sometimes has to be repeated several times in order to clearly identify the inflammation of the pancreas.
Also a big one blood count is helpful. Although it does not prove pancreatitis, it does indicate the extent to which other organs are affected.
This is crucial for further treatment.
An X-ray will rule out that your four-legged friend has swallowed a foreign body.
This can be ruled out as the cause of the symptoms.
An ultrasound of the abdomen also shows how far the course of the pancreatitis has progressed.
However, only a biopsy gives 100 percent certainty. This examination of a tissue sample taken is only carried out in very rare cases.
treatment options
The three most important steps in treating pancreatitis are:
- fluid therapy
- pain therapy
- Feed adaptation – diet
fluid therapy
Due to the diarrhea and vomiting, the sick dog suffers from hypoacidity.
Additionally is the electrolyte balance in imbalance.
This can be life-threatening for the dog. Quick help is needed through infusions.
This therapy must be carried out on an inpatient basis.
pain therapy
Pancreatitis is very painful. Therefore usually come opiate for use.
They can be injected or a patch can be put on the skin.
This treatment also requires inpatient admission.
feeding
In the past, dogs with pancreatitis were allowed to fast, but today they are gastrointestinal tract no longer than 24 hours without food.
In order to avoid vomiting, the sick four-legged friend is fed high-energy liquid food via a probe.
In very severe cases of pancreatitis in dogs, the body receives liquid food drop by drop via a tube.
The four-legged friend gets the remaining energy and other nutrients via an infusion.
In this way, the intestines can be supplied with energy without the pancreas having to «work» itself.
After the pancreatitis has subsided, the “normal” feeding should be changed. Again, be sure to seek advice from a veterinarian!
- At least 4 meals a day
- Highly digestible feed
- Only as much protein as absolutely necessary
- Low-fat feed
Have you had any experience with pancreatitis in dogs and the symptoms? How was the process and what did you change afterwards (feed etc.)? Please leave us a comment.