Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is a common issue seen in our canine friends. The medical definition of pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. One of the functions of the pancreas is to secrete enzymes for digestion, but when it becomes inflamed these enzymes may not reach the gastrointestinal tract and can cause the pancreas to 'digest itself'. This is extremely painful and can cause serious illness for your pup.

Pancreatitis in dogs is a condition that all pet parents should be informed about, due to its common occurrence in dogs and the potential for it to become life-threatening. As a dog parent, it is vital you make yourself aware of the symptoms - as they may not be obvious at first.

What causes pancreatitis in dogs?

Pancreatitis is often caused by eating an overly fatty meal. This is most commonly seen after a well-meaning owner feeds their dog leftovers, however some dogs may find their way to a fatty meal after getting into garbage.

Which foods can cause pancreatitis? The usual culprits include barbeque meat, cheese, leftover fatty offcuts, or marrow bones. The high fat content of these foods is simply too much for the pancreas to handle and causes it to go into overdrive. The pancreas starts to produce excessive digestive enzymes and becomes painfully inflamed.

Unsurprisingly, pancreatitis is often associated with family events or 'feast' holidays. For instance, every year on Christmas Day, veterinarians see huge spikes in pancreatitis patients. Just because your body can handle a collosal mountain of ham and retire into a food coma, doesn't mean your dog's can!

However, some dogs can still develop pancreatitis in the abscence of a fatty meal. Risk factors that can make your dog more likely to develop pancreatitis include obesity, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, and some medications. Many breeds are also prone to pancreatitis, including Schnauzers, Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels. Females and overweight dogs are also at a higher risk.