Understanding Canine Pancreatitis: Causes and Symptoms
Pancreatitis is a condition that can manifest in two forms: acute and chronic. It typically arises due to the digestive enzymes within the pancreas attacking the organ itself. Acute pancreatitis can be categorized into two types: edematous and hemorrhagic/necrotic, with the edematous form being more common in clinical settings. Characterized by abdominal pain, tense and sensitive abdominal walls, arching back, nausea, and vomiting, acute pancreatitis is an acute chemical inflammation where digestive enzymes within the pancreas undergo autodigestion. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a progressive disease of the pancreas that develops due to recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis, leading to chronic and progressive destruction of the organ. Symptoms include abdominal pain in the upper quadrant, dyspepsia, and the frequent passage of large, orange or claycolored, malodorous stools containing undigested food, leading to stunted growth and weight loss.
Causes of Pancreatitis:
1. Overindulgence in rich foods can lead to hyperlipidemia, a common finding in dogs with acute pancreatitis. This condition may be secondary to abdominal fat necrosis due to pancreatitis or could be a predisposing factor. It is reported that dogs often develop pancreatitis after consuming highfat foods, but the exact mechanism by which hyperlipidemia triggers pancreatitis remains unclear.
2. Medications and toxins can also cause pancreatitis. Veterinary drugs that may induce pancreatitis include azathioprine, Lasparaginase, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines. Injections of scorpion venom can also lead to pancreatitis in dogs.
3. Obstruction of the pancreatic duct can be caused by various factors, including biliary tract stones, sphincter spasm, duodenal wall edema, tumors, parasites, trauma, and surgical injuries.
4. Reflux of duodenal contents into the pancreatic duct can trigger severe acute pancreatitis. Factors such as enterokinase, activated pancreatic enzymes, bacteria, and bile in the duodenal fluid can all contribute to pancreatitis.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis in dogs may include an increased white blood cell count, an elevated neutrophil percentage, an initial rise in amylase levels that decrease 72 hours later, an increase in serum lipase levels 48 hours after onset, and the presence of protein or casts in urine. In severe cases, the disease can spread to surrounding organs, leading to ascites. Measuring amylase levels in ascitic fluid is crucial for diagnosing pancreatitis.
Treatment:
1. Medical treatment involves maintaining and restoring tissue perfusion, limiting bacterial translocation, and inhibiting inflammatory factors and pancreatic enzymes.
2. Surgical treatment aims to restore bile flow, remove infected and necrotic pancreatic tissue, or address complications such as pseudocysts.
3. Symptomatic treatment includes:
Fasting and hydration restriction to reduce stimulation of pancreatic secretion.
Pain management with analgesics like Tramadol during severe abdominal pain.
Antiinflammatory therapy with antibiotics such as Baytril, Spectramycin, and Amoxicillin to control infection.
Fluid therapy to replenish energy and electrolytes, regulate acidbase balance, and maintain pancreatic microcirculation. Temporary avoidance of sugary fluids is recommended, with isotonic saline, Ringer's lactate, and other solutions being used.
Antiemetics such as atropine sulfate or cimetidine may be administered for severe vomiting.
Liver protection and diuretics, such as Hepatoprotective drugs, heparin, and furosemide, can be used.
Blood sugar control with longacting or shortacting insulin, with realtime monitoring.
In this case, the dog has largely recovered and can be fed small amounts of liquid, easily digestible food. In cases of severe vomiting, metoclopramide can be administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1mg per kilogram of body weight, twice daily.
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