Digestive Diseases: Pancreatitis

If you think your dog may have Pancreatitis, get him to the vet right away.  This is a dangerous disease that can cause death if not caught early.

The pancreas has two primary functions:

   1. To secrete powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.   2. To release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones are involved in blood glucose metabolism, regulating how the body stores and uses food for energy.

Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatic damage occurs when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are secreted into the duodenum and begin attacking the pancreas.

There are two forms of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.

 Acute pancreatitis

    Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that occurs over a short period of time.   The severity of acute pancreatitis may range from mild abdominal discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness.

In very severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation. Severe pancreatitis can also cause damage if enzymes and toxins are released into the bloodstream, which can harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

    * Upper abdominal pain may be aggravated by eating, especially foods high in fat.
    * Swollen and tender abdomen
    * Nausea and vomiting
    * Fever
    * Increased heart rate.