insulin |

All mammals have a pancreas. It plays an important role in metabolizing sugar in the body by producing insulin and it produces pancreatic enzymes to help the body digest nutrients. In cases of acute pancreatitis the pancreas becomes inflamed. It is a life-threatening condition.

Causes

Pancreatitis can be caused by both external and internal factors. Some medications can contribute to pancreatitis. Dogs can also develop infections which affect the pancreas. Certain metabolic disorders can cause the body to have high amounts of lipids in the blood or high amounts of calcium. Even trauma can bring on pancreatitis. But obesity and nutrition are most commonly associated with pancreatitis. Dogs which are overweight or which are fed diets high in fat are at increased risk for pancreatitis. Dogs which are fed fatty table scraps or which are allowed to binge during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas can often have an attack of acute pancreatitis. Thanksgiving leftovers and other fatty foods can lead to an attack of acute pancreatitis.

Symptoms

Dogs suffering from acute pancreatitis may show some of the following symptoms:

Painful abdomen
Distended abdomen
Lack of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Depression
Dehydration
Hunching their bodies
Oily or greasy stools
Fever

You may notice these symptoms at home. They may be particularly noticeable if your dog has binged on some fatty food or gotten into the trash and eaten something he shouldn’t have. If you see these symptoms you should take your dog to the veterinarian so he can assess whether or not your dog has pancreatitis. Your vet will be able to determine if your dog has other symptoms that can accompany a severe case of pancreatitis such as heart problems, difficulty breathing or a possible hemorrhage.

Diagnosis

Your vet can make a diagnosis of pancreatitis by talking to you, observing your dog, doing a physical exam and performing some laboratory tests. If your dog has pancreatitis he will likely have an increase in certain enzymes in his body, such as amylase and lipase. His liver enzymes may also be affected. His white blood cell count will also probably be raised. Your vet may also want to take x-rays or an ultrasound. There is also a new test called a serum cPLI (pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) test that can help determine the state of the pancreas.

Treatment

Treatment of pancreatitis will depend on the severity of the attack. The immediate goal will be to get the attack under control and return your dog’s enzyme levels to normal. Your vet will have to get any vomiting stopped. Generally, your dog won’t be able to take normal food, water or oral medications for about 24 hours. This will also give his pancreas time to return to normal. During the next few days he will take a bland, easily-digestible, low-fat diet. It’s very important for his recovery that his fat intake be controlled and reduced. Your dog may need to switch to a special diet.

Your vet will also make sure that your dog is getting enough fluids. Dehydration is common in dogs with pancreatitis so your vet may need to give your dog fluids intravenously.

Since acute pancreatitis involves an inflamed pancreas your dog may be experiencing pain. Your vet will manage pain with pain relievers and may give your dogs appropriate antibiotics.

Long-term Recovery

It is possible for a dog to have one episode of acute pancreatitis and fully recover. Making adjustments to his diet and avoiding fats may prevent any further occurrences. In other cases a dog may have recurrent bouts of acute pancreatitis. There can be complicating factors. If your dog has diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, epilepsy or other health problems, then pancreatitis may become chronic or even lead to fatal complications. You and your vet will need to work together to manage your dog’s long-term health needs.

Acute Pancreatitis In Dogs courtesy Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a cutting board showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com

It may surprise you to learn, but dogs can develop diabetes just as people can. Diabetes is a life-threatening illness so you will need to closely monitor your dog’s blood sugar and provide him with the correct medication. You will also need to carefully manage his diet.

As with people there are two types of diabetes in dogs: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is also divided into two types, Type I diabetes which can occur in the early years of a dog’s life and which is also called juvenile dog diabetes. And Type II diabetes. This kind of diabetes usually appears in elderly dogs. It is most often characterized by the dog’s dependence of insulin.

With diabetes mellitus dogs typically have an insulin deficiency. The dog’s body is unable to metabolize sugar very well. This is the more common and the more dangerous kind of diabetes in dogs.

With diabetes insipidus there is a lack of vasopressin. This is an anti-diuretic hormone that controls the kidney’s absorption of water.

As dogs age they are more prone to acquiring diabetes. Larger dogs are also more likely to get diabetes. Overweight female dogs are also very prone to diabetes. Diabetes will depend on the dog’s pancreas secreting the correct level of insulin to use all of the glucose produced by the body. If the pancreas doesn’t produce the right amount, then the diabetic problem occurs.

Symptoms of diabetes can include:

Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration, and sudden cataract formation

Diabetes is an endocrine disease and it is also influenced by heredity. Being controlled by the endocrine system, it is also considered an autoimmune system disease and when diabetes occurs it can lead to other autoimmune system problems. Early diagnosis is very important. Your vet will need to perform a sugar blood test to get a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, you will need to continue to monitor your dog to make sure he stays in stable condition.

You will need to talk to your vet about medications and your dog’s diet. He or she can tell you what foods will be good for your dog and which kinds of food to avoid. You will need to make regular visits to your vet so he or she can monitor your dog’s health.

Depending on your dog’s case, medication may be needed to help with the diabetes. Insulin injections may be needed. They can often help a dog live a normal life and extend his life for many years.

Diabetes can sometimes lead to other diseases, such as heart problems. There can be circulatory problems. You should watch your dog for signs that he could be developing other health problems, but with the proper diet and medication he should be able to live a reasonably normal life.

Dogs and Diabetes courtesy of Dog Articles

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a blanket showcasing their favorite breed! For all the nicest blankets and great doggie gift ideas…check them out here on Amazon.com – doggieoftheday@amazon.com