Treating Pancreatitis and Preventing Flare-Ups

We have had an influx of members that have diabetic dogs with pancreatitis so I decided to write a recap of treating pancreatitis and preventing flare-ups.

As you may or may not know, when Lucy was diagnosed with diabetes she was also diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Since I had experience with a family member having chronic pancreatitis I knew that Lucy needed to be treated immediately and that a low-fat diet would be necessary for the balance of her life. Lucy healed quickly from pancreatitis and I am happy to say that she never got it again, but it was always in the back of my mind.

Let’s go over the functions of the pancreas, what pancreatitis is along with symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

What are the functions of the pancreas?

The pancreas is an organ that is part of the endocrine and exocrine system. The pancreas has two main functions:

Exocrine: Produces and releases enzymes into a pancreatic duct that empties into the small intestine to aid in digestion. These digestive enzymes are amylase, lipase and protease.

• Amylase – Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates (starches and glycogen) into simple sugars.
• Lipase – Enzymes that break down fats into fatty acids.
• Protease – Enzyme that breaks down protein into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids.

Endocrine: Produces and secretes hormones directly into the blood stream. The pancreas produces insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide.

• Glucagon – Produced by alpha cells in the Islets of Langerhans. Glucagon helps break down starches and glycogen into glucose by the liver.
• Insulin – Produced by beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans. Insulin helps glucose enter cells to be used as energy.
• Somatostatin – Produced by the delta cells of the Islets of Langerhans. This hormone inhibits the secretion of glucagon and insulin, growth hormones and thyroid stimulating hormones.
• Pancreatic polypeptide – Produced by the F (or PP) cells in the Islets of Langerhans. This hormone inhibits secretion of pancreatic fluid, bicarbonate and digestive enzymes. It also stimulates gastric acid secretion.

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas due to the digestive enzymes activating in the pancreas. These activated enzymes cause inflammation, pain and damage to the pancreas.

Genetically predisposed breeds, medications like steroids, gallbladder sludge, gallstones, obesity, trauma, cancer, high cholesterol and high fat diet can cause pancreatitis. Idiopathic pancreatitis is also possible, with no known explanation.

What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?

The symptoms of pancreatitis are as follows:

• Inappetence
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hunched (praying position)
• Abdominal pain (tender to the touch)
• Dehydration
• Restless / agitation
• Unable to stand (acute pancreatitis)
• Shock (acute pancreatitis)

How is pancreatitis diagnosed?

A vet must diagnose pancreatitis, the following tests should be run:

• SNAP cPL (canine pancreas-specific lipase) – this is an in-house test that gives results quickly. Should not be used solely to diagnose pancreatitis.
• Blood panel including CBC (complete blood count)
• cPLI (pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) test – this detects lipase that is produced in the pancreas.

Possible additional tests:

• Ultrasound
• X-ray

What is the treatment for pancreatitis?

Treatment for pancreatitis is:

Low-fat diet, under 10% fat on a dry matter basis needs to be fed. Bland diet and several meals throughout the day may be advised to help reduce strain on the pancreas.

• Anti-nausea medication
• Antibiotics
• Pain medications

Treatment may also include:

• Acid reducers
• Anti-diarrhea medications
• Gastroelm

How can flare-ups be prevented?

• Feed a low-fat diet, under 10% fat. Bland diet can be fed.
• Digestive enzymes
• Reduce protein intake (if dog has multiple bouts or has chronic pancreatitis)
• Reduce high cholesterol levels

A low-fat diet may be higher in carbohydrates, and a low-fat, lower protein diet is higher in carbohydrates. This seems counterintuitive for a diabetic dog but the good news is that insulin can be adjusted to work with food.

Lucy only had one bout of pancreatitis although there was one other time that I suspected pancreatitis, tests were negative but I did treat for pancreatitis with bland diet and acid reducers. I also added digestive enzymes to her low-fat meals to help take the load off her pancreas.

If you suspect pancreatitis or other GI upset, make an appointment to get your diabetic dog into the vets for testing, pancreatitis is a serious illness but can managed with proper treatment.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please start a conversation below.

For a printable version of this blog click here.

Until next week stay comfy, don’t stress and you got this!

Michelle Miller-Matlock

AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator

Founder/Administrator of DDO-U: Diabetic Dog Owners University

Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook

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