For many of us, dogs are our best friends.
That’s why it’s heartbreaking when they suffer from painful conditions like pancreatitis.
So in this video, tell you how to comfort a dog with pancreatitis so that they feel
loved in this time of distress.
But before we do, please like this video and subscribe to our channel so we can keep making
pooch positive content.
And one quick disclaimer: This is not veterinary advice, nor is it a substitute for veterinary
advice.
Always consult a veterinarian with questions concerning your dog’s health.
With that said, let’s learn more about pancreatitis and how to help your dog cope with it.
What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ that operates two important functions.
The first is to regulate your dog’s blood sugar level by producing glucagon and insulin.
The second is to produce enzymes to help with his digestion.
Pancreatitis happens when an outside source upsets the pancreas’s balance.
This could include something that isn’t part of your dog’s regular diet like a fatty
meal, something from the garbage, or medications.
Many cases occur without a known cause, but it’s a dog owner’s responsibility to catch
pancreatitis early and stop it from becoming urgent and painful.
What about symptoms of pancreatitis in a dog?
Your dog may only have mild symptoms of pancreatitis that can be easily missed, but when blood
work is done, your vet will see the abnormal levels that will indicate further testing
is required.
In other cases, a dog will show obvious distress you won’t be able to ignore.
Here are symptoms of pancreatitis that you may see in dogs.
• Excessive panting
• Difficulty breathing • Weakness
• Vomiting • Retching of the neck
• Hunching of the back • Increased temperature
• Not interested in water • Air licking
• Abdominal distention • Tender abdomen
• Diarrhea • Lack of appetite
Remember, your dog may have some or all of these symptoms, but they can also indicate
other problems, so it’s important you take your dog to the vet for an evaluation.
What about the types of Pancreatitis that your dog can get?
Pancreatitis typically happens to middle-aged or older dogs, and it’s urgent that you
stop it early.
If it progresses too far, it has the possibility of being fatal.
There are two types of pancreatitis.
The first is acute pancreatitis
Occurring suddenly with mild to severe symptoms, it’s not unusual for your dog to play all
day and then suddenly start vomiting as a result of acute pancreatitis.
At this point, his symptoms will progress rapidly, so it’s important to get him or
her to the emergency vet as soon as possible.
A dog that has acute pancreatitis may present with vomiting as well as abdominal pain, fever,
dehydration, lethargy, and diarrhea.
You may hesitate to take your dog to the vet, but it’s important to be overly cautious
with this disorder.
The second type is chronic pancreatitis
Affecting dogs that have recovered from acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis can show
signs that are similar to that of acute pancreatitis, but with milder symptoms and fewer complications.
It’s not uncommon that a dog with chronic pancreatitis often has a normal abdominal
ultrasound and no outward signs of pancreatitis.
One breed, Cocker Spaniels, has a predisposition to chronic pancreatitis, but many owners of
these dogs have learned to successfully manage the disease.
Now, let’s talk about keeping your dog comfortable when they have pancreatitis.
When your dog is diagnosed with pancreatitis, your veterinarian will give you information
on how to keep him or her comfortable.
Here are a few steps you can take: • Do not give your dog food or water for
24 hours.
This will prevent inflammation and allow his pancreas to rest.
• Use the medicine your vet provides to stop your dog’s vomiting and restore his
electrolytes.
• Stick to the diet your vet prescribes and don’t feed your pup any human food.
• Feed your dog in smaller portions throughout the day.
This will make it easier for him or her to digest his food.
• Watch your dog carefully as he or she recovers.
Pancreatitis can be fatal and if his symptoms worsen, be ready to take him or her to the
emergency vet if needed.
Let’s talk about the best diet for a dog with pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis has a tendency to recur frequently, so it is important to monitor your dog’s
health once he or she has received a diagnosis.
Although you may not be able to prevent a recurrence, it’s important to take charge
of your pup’s diet and feed him or her the best dog food in order to reduce the risk.
We’ve included a link to our recommendations in the description.
Here are some diet guidelines you can follow for a dog that has pancreatitis:
• Give your pup a low-fat diet, which means it has no more than 10 percent fat.
You can also check for labels indicating the food was designed for a dog with pancreatitis
or weight management.
• While it’s a habit that is hard to break, you should not be feeding your dog table scraps
or any human food.
It is very important that you understand that feeding your dog any leftovers will put his
health at risk.
• Make sure that you are feeding your dog whole and fresh food that is easy for his
or her digestive system to process.
Foods like kibble that have complex carbohydrates need to be avoided since they are hard to
digest and can worsen your dog’s health problems.
• You can also improve your dog’s health by giving him or her supplements.
Ask your veterinarian about supplements he or she would recommend that will reduce inflammation
as well as improve your dog’s overall health.
We hope this video has helped you learn more about pancreatitis and how to help your pup
cope with it.
If you suspect your dog is suffering from pancreatitis or any of its symptoms, you should
consult with your veterinarian right away.
To learn more about pancreatitis in dogs and how to treat it, read our blog post by clicking
the link in the video description below.