As in humans, the pancreas is a vitally important organ for adjusting the digestive functioning of the dog because it releases insulin and glucagon, two hormones related to carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, if the function of the pancreas is affected, it has a direct impact on the welfare of your pet.
A alimentação e os processos digestivos são extremamente importantes para que o cachorro possa viver a vida em perfeito estado de saúde, no entanto, em algumas ocasiões, um transtorno pode afetar a nutrição e afetar todo o organismo do seu cachorro.
- Continue reading this Animal Expert article on the causes and treatment of pancreatitis in dogs.
- A serious disease that should be treated as quickly as possible.
Picture: Playback / vcahospitals.com
The term pancreatitis literally means inflammation of the pancreas, but due to the important functions of this organ, this condition means much more than an inflammatory state. To understand the potential damage of pancreatitis in dogs, it is essential to understand the main functions of the pancreas.
The pancreas is located near the stomach and liver and has two important functions for the dog’s body, exogenous and endogenous. Exogenous function is responsible for the production of enzymes that aid digestion, while endogenous function produces hormones such as insulin and glucon that help control blood sugar.
When the pancreas produces digestive enzymes, they are prepared to activate in the stomach and facilitate the digestion of food. In the case of pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated in the pancreas itself and cause the digestion of the organ, causing great inflammation and damage that, depending on the severity, can be irreparable. It is possible to differentiate between two types of pancreatitis in dogs:
It is not possible to define the exact cause of canine pancreatitis, but it is a disease totally related to nutrition, as the risk factors for the disease are:
In addition to the causes of dog food, pancreatitis can also occur as a result of other diseases such as cancer, diabetes, kidney problems, infections or cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs include
It is essential to seek the help of a veterinarian to make a correct diagnosis, although there is no specific diagnostic test, the veterinarian will perform a blood and stool test, as well as an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis in the dog and evaluate the damage that has occurred to the organ.
Sometimes pancreatitis in dogs has no cure because the damage caused is irreversible, in which case the only option is to administer a palliative treatment that improves the quality of life of the patient and permanently establishes a diet low in fat.
If the diagnosis is acute pancreatitis, you should usually stop food and water intake for a day to stop the secretion of the digestive enzyme and then gradually return to the usual diet.
However, in all cases it is common to prescribe digestive enzymes that allow your dog to digest food well and regain its body weight, the administration of digestive enzymes can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce symptoms. pain and inflammation.
As a preventive form of canine pancreatitis, it is very important that the animal has adequate nutrition to avoid excess body weight. In addition, there are certain precautions for dogs that avoid various health problems, see more information in the next section.
There are some precautions you can take with your dog that help prevent not only canine pancreatitis, but also other health problems:
All these precautions can and should be taken for all dogs, allowing hairy people to have a full, healthy and happy life, minimizing the occurrence of possible diseases. In addition, since canine pancreatitis is a food-related disease, it is essential not to offer food for humans that may be toxic to dogs, such as cheese, chocolate, salt, milk, among others. For more information, see our article on prohibited dog food.
It should be noted that only a trusted veterinarian is able to make a correct diagnosis and pass the most appropriate treatment depending on the characteristics and needs of your pet.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to canine pancreatitis: causes and treatment, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.