Pancreatitis in Our Pets

By Jessika Harding

Pancreatitis is a relatively common inflammatory condition in dogs which can potentially be life threatening. Any pet owner, who has had a pet in this situation, can attest to how scary it can be.

What is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is an organ (also technically a gland) found as part of the digestive system and serves two main functions:

Exocrine Function – Produces enzymes to help with digestion, secreted into the small intestine.

• Lipase – Works with bile (produced by the liver) to break down fats. If the body does not produce sufficient amounts of lipase, it will have a difficult time absorbing fat and important fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

• Amylase – Breaks down carbohydrates for energy. If the body does not have enough amylase, loose stool will often occur.

• Protease – Breaks down proteins. Insufficient amounts of protease will begin to cause the body to go into protein starvation impairing growth and the general maintenance of bodily tissues.

Endocrine Function – Sends hormones throughout the body that control glucose levels in the blood.

• Insulin – Reduces high blood sugar levels.

• Glucagon – Increases low blood sugar levels.

If an appropriate blood sugar level is not maintained, your pet may start to exhibit symptoms of diabetes (increased thirst, restlessness, tremors) and if left untreated symptoms such as disorientation, confusion or seizures could present.

What is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes irritated and inflamed, hindering its natural ability to regulate blood sugar levels and support the digestive system. When the pancreas is inflamed, the digestive enzymes produced can start to damage its own tissue which causes the release of inflammatory cells and toxins. These toxins can be harmful to the surrounding body – lungs, kidneys, gallbladder, and heart.

If your pet has recovered from an acute pancreatitis attack it may be advantageous to support them through dietary changes....

Veterinarians will sometimes refer to pancreatitis as an “idiopathic” condition – an unknown cause. While this may be true in most cases, some pancreatitis attacks can be triggered by diets containing high fat or from corticosteroids. Other conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism can affect fat metabolism, leading to hyperlipidemia – high levels of fat in the bloodstream, which predisposes a dog to pancreatitis. Miniature Schnauzers have a higher risk of developing pancreatitis, because they are prone to developing hyperlipidemia.

There are generally two forms of pancreatitis – acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Either form can present as mild or severe (hemorrhagic) and in both cases it is extremely painful.

Acute pancreatitis involves the sudden and often short onset of inflammation and can often be managed with supportive veterinary care with limited hospitalization (depending on severity). Supportive care can include an intravenous hydration boost to restore electrolyte balance and replenish fluids lost via stool, a low-fat diet to reduce stress on the pancreas and possible medication.

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by long-term and low-grade inflammation of the pancreas and often requires lifelong management. Therapeutic low-fat diets, boosting water soluble vitamins and supportive pain management are ways in which to treat long-term inflammation.

The official diagnosis of pancreatitis comes about via laboratory testing which will generally show elevated white blood cell counts and elevated pancreatic enzymes. Not all cases present this way and other diagnostics like radiographs may be required.

Does this happen to cats?

At one point, pancreatitis was thought to be rare in cats, because there was no effective way to diagnose pancreatitis accurately in cats. With improved diagnostic testing, pancreatitis is being discovered more accurately and not being lumped under a general guise of IBD (irritable bowel disease).

Upwards of 95% of cases have no discernible underlying cause which makes it next to impossible to effectively prevent this illness. There could be specific lifestyle factors that increase pancreatitis risks such as obesity, diabetes, hormone imbalances and undiagnosed liver disease.

If your pet has recovered from an acute pancreatitis attack it may be advantageous to support them through dietary changes – antioxidants, digestive enzymes, probiotics and essential fatty acids.

Antioxidants and essential fatty acids decrease inflammation in the body which help in the healing process. While they can promote optimal healing it is important to remember they are a dietary source of fat and need to be taken into consideration when feeding a lower fat diet. Always consult with your veterinarian before supplementing essential fatty acids.

Digestive enzymes and probiotics will support the digestive system while the pancreas is getting back into working order. An inflamed pancreas is not producing enzymes or functioning optimally, and it does take time to resume normal activity.

Using dietary supplements in conjunction with a low to moderate fat diet, most dogs and cats can live long healthy lives.