General Information
The pancreas lies within the abdominal cavity beside the small intestine. It produces enzymes (chemicals that break down food for digestion) and insulin, which regulates blood sugar.
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. It is a serious condition that occurs most frequently in overweight, middle-aged, female dogs, but it may occur in any individual. The disorder causes pain, vomiting, depression, and occasionally shock and death.
Causes of acute pancreatitis include eating large amounts of fats, infection, blockage of the pancreatic duct, injury, or a diet that stimulates excessive pancreatic activity.
Important Points in Treatment
1. Because affected pets usually cannot keep down medication or food given by mouth, hospitalization and use of injectable medication and fluids are usually necessary. Laboratory tests are necessary for diagnosis and evaluation of the response to treatment.
