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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CANINE PANCREATITIS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

December 14, 2018 by Dan Washburn

We’re in the midst of the holiday season right in the sweet spot between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving dinners are just behind us and in front of us…countless parties with loads of delicious food and sweets.

Between holiday meals and snacks, the average American may consume twice the daily recommended calories. Of course, this isn’t good for our health. It’s no wonder the first week of the new year brings resolutions to lose weight and strong marketing campaigns by health food companies.
With how much food is around during the holidays, it’s not crazy to think that your fur baby could be getting in on the action. A house full of family and friends all holding plates of yummy food is an opportunity for your pup to try out his sly begging skills. But just as over-eating is unhealthy for us, it can be extremely unhealthy for our dogs.

Many people associate loving their dog with giving them special treats or table scraps. You see those sad little eyes staring up at you…just begging for one little morsel, and you give in — but so do your guests. What you may not realize is that what seems like an innocent gesture of love and bonding can negatively impact his health.

The pancreas is the organ that produces insulin and enzymes which aid in digestion. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas which is usually caused by obesity or a high-fat diet. But even if your dog isn’t obese or eating a high-fat diet, the introduction of a lot of high-fat foods over a short period can cause acute (sudden) pancreatitis. Veterinarians see a sharp rise in canine pancreatitis over the holiday season due to the vast amounts of food that are available.

The best way to treat any ailment is to prevent it from happening in the first place. But even if you’re doing the right thing and not giving your pup “special treats” or table scraps, your guests may be. It is best to be aware of the symptoms of pancreatitis, how to treat it, and most importantly how to prevent it.

Symptoms of Canine Pancreatitis
  • Hunched or arched back
  • Pain or swelling in the abdomen
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dehydration
  • Fever
  • Weakness and fatigue

If just one of these symptoms appears and is infrequent, monitor your dog as it may be a minor, unrelated illness. But if he is showing multiple symptoms that are repeatedly occurring, call your veterinarian immediately.

Your vet can run tests which will verify if the symptoms are caused by an inflammation of the pancreas. As with most health issues, the earlier the treatment begins, the better the long-term outcome will be. Knowing the symptoms to watch for is vital.

TREATMENT OF CANINE PANCREATITIS

The initial treatment of canine pancreatitis is hydration, pain management, and fasting which gives the pancreas an opportunity to rest and slow the production of enzymes. Depending on the severity of the case, there may need to be a hospital stay to allow for pain management and hydration through IV. For more severe cases with sustained symptoms, your vet may prescribe some different medicines to help return your pup to some form of normalcy. After this, a low-fat diet will likely be prescribed.

There are not any “at home” remedy for pancreatitis. It can only be effectively treated by your vet. And even knowing this, the initial treatment isn’t a one-time miracle cure. As a matter of fact, most dogs who have suffered from acute pancreatitis end up on a specialized low-fat diet for the rest of their lives.

Some products that can be helpful in treatment are probiotics, fatty acid supplements, and an all-natural raw food diet. As always, consult with your vet before changing your dog’s diet or administering supplements.

PREVENTION OF CANINE PANCREATITIS

The best way to avoid canine pancreatitis is to prevent it.

  • Don’t feed your dog table scraps or “human food” in general
  • Set ground rules with guests by letting them know not to feed your dog
  • If your dog feels left out of the festivities, set out some veggies or low-calorie treats that your guests can feed him (but remember, there CAN be too much of a good thing – DON’T OVERFEED!)
  • Put him in a quiet room during the time that you and your guests are eating
  • Keep him out of the garbage

The holidays are a time to get together and spend quality time with family, and our dogs are a big part of that family. But before the festivities begin, we should keep in mind the health of our four-legged children and put some rules in place to protect them.

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Dan Washburn