also see Digestive Problems

also see Canine Pancreatitis 

also see Pancreatitis Dogs 

also see Diet Management

also see Feline Pancreatitis 

also see Bloodwork 

also see Veterinary Medical Information – Pancreatitis 

Canine pancreatitis affects middle-aged and elderly dogs. Females fall prey to the disease more than males. Genetics matter as well. Small dogs, Cocker spaniels, miniature poodles, miniature schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers tend to be most susceptible to developing dog pancreatitis. Not every dog will develop pancreatitis. However, many cases can be prevented.Pancreatitis in dogs occurs when the pancreatic juices attack the tissue of a dog pancreas creating inflammation. Other conditions such as diabetes, pancreatic trauma and kidney disease may lead to pancreatits. sometimes, it appears for no reason. The painful disease is preventable. The best prevention includes lifestyle and dietary changes.Experts believe canine pancreatitis is a result of poor diets. Inexpensive dog foods are high fat, low protein and fillers with no nutritional value. always feed your dog high quality dog foods with a good source of protein and fat. Real chicken, beef, lamb, duck and seafood should be the first ingredient. Avoid foods listing food coloring, meat by-products, corn gluten, soybean meal and artificial flavoring. Don’t forget chocolate products and onions are toxic to dogs.From puppyhood, feed high-protein, low carb foods to your pet. make sure your pet has fresh water to drink. Exercise your dog daily. these steps help prevent canine pancreatitis later in life.Watch for changes in appetite. Dogs with pancreatitis often stop eating and drinking due to the pain. Other canine pancreatic symptoms include:•    Abdominal pain•    Diarrhea•    Fever•    Restlessness•    Vomiting•    WeaknessIdentifying abdominal pain takes time. A dog can’t say he/she’s in pain. Watch for a dog that will not lie down completely, changes position frequently or lies on the chest while leaving the backside in the air. if you suspect anything, call your vet.these common symptoms of pancreatitis are found in other canine conditions, so see your pet’s veterinarian for advice and treatment. A proper diagnosis involves a thorough blood test that measures levels of enzymes found in the pancreas. A veterinarian also takes a urine sample to check these enzyme levels. if results prove positive, an x-ray of the abdomen will confirm it.Dogs diagnosed with canine pancreatitis will be hospitalized for a few days. an IV delivers fluids to avoid dehydration and help flush out any toxins. The dog will be kept calm and allowed to rest. Medications to reduce diarrhea and vomiting are given. Pain medication is used to keep an animal comfortable.if rest, liquids and medication do not help, surgery is a last option. Surgeons will remove any masses or blockages. The dangers of surgery force this to be a drastic lifesaving method.Once a dog recovers from canine pancreatitis, it is essential that a diet high in protein is provided. Ask your vet for a list of suggested foods and always read labels. Manufacturers change their formulas frequently, so a good food may become a bad food.

also see Dog Diarrhea: how to determine if it’s serious or not so serious

also see Dog Constipation: Causes, Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment

also see Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

also see Feline Blood and Lymph Conditions and disorders

also see Diet Management in Dogs

also see Veterinary Archive – Dogs

also see Flea Control

also see Toxins (Poisons) That Effect Dogs

Feline pancreatitis is a gastrointestinal disease that occurs in cats. It is characterized by swelling of the pancreas. The pancreas produces insulin and other digestive enzymes. In cats that are affected by pancreatitis, the enzymes spread within the pancreas and other organs of the abdomen. This leads to inflammation of the pancreas. The toxins arising out of an infected pancreas may hamper the production of insulin. Feline pancreatitis symptoms include vomiting and fever. In addition the cat may also experience diarrhea, appetite loss, weight loss, lethargy and dehydration. however these symptoms are not unique to feline pancreatitis symptoms. they may occur in other conditions as well. therefore a proper examination of the affected cat is necessary. Cats affected by hepatic lipidosis are more likely to develop feline pancreatitis.

The main causes of cat pancreatitis are intestinal parasites and infection. Pancreatitis in felines may also result due to the infection that causes feline distemper. Genetic factors could also play a role in the development of this condition. The role of genes is especially strong since it has been observed that Siamese cats are more susceptible to feline pancreatitis. Cats that are exposed to the insecticide known as organophosphate may be vulnerable to this disease.  Diagnosis of feline pancreatitis is done by examining the levels of the enzymes lipase and amylase. when these enzymes are present in high levels, the disease is confirmed.  Swelling of the pancreas seen through ultrasound imaging is also indicative of this illness. Biopsy may also be done to diagnose the condition, although many veterinarians prefer not to do it since the inflammation may be aggravated.

When dealing with pancreatitis in a feline treatment is mainly aimed at reducing the swelling of the pancreas. Symptoms of cat diarrhea may be treated through fluid therapy. In case of vomiting, the cat must be given water regularly. Nausea and pain may be alleviated through administration of medications. The diet may also be modified for a few days. In some cases, digestive enzymes are given to the cat in the form of supplements. It is difficult to cure chronic feline pancreatitis completely. Cats with this condition require a great deal of care. Proper cat diet and medication is necessary to manage the symptoms caused by this disease. In many cases, once a cat survives acute pancreatitis, there are very few chances of it occurring again. For recurring pancreatitis, the vet may prescribe ongoing antibiotic medication.