Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic pancreatitis causes ongoing gut pain and diabetes risk in dogs
By Watson, Penny·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2012·Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chronic pancreatitis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with chronic pancreatitis may show symptoms like recurrent stomach upset or sudden severe abdominal pain. This condition is becoming more recognized in dogs and can lead to ongoing pain and issues with digestion and blood sugar control. Some breeds, like English Cocker Spaniels, may be more prone to this disease, which can be linked to immune system problems. Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis can be tricky, but with careful observation, vets can provide supportive treatments to help manage the dog's symptoms and improve their quality of life.
People also search for: dog chronic pancreatitis symptoms · English Cocker Spaniel stomach issues · dog pancreatitis treatment options
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis used to be considered uncommon in dogs, but recent pathological and clinical studies have confirmed that it is in fact a common and clinically significant disease. Clinical signs can vary from low-grade recurrent gastrointestinal signs to acute exacerbations that are indistinguishable from classical acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is a significant cause of chronic pain in dogs, which must not be underestimated. It also results in progressive impairment of endocrine and exocrine function and the eventual development of diabetes mellitus or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or both in some affected dogs at end stage. The etiology is unknown in most cases. Chronic pancreatitis shows an increased prevalence in certain breeds, and recent work in English Cocker Spaniels suggests it is part of a polysystemic immune-mediated disease in this breed. The histological and clinical appearance is different in different breeds, suggesting that etiologies may also be different. Diagnosis is challenging because the sensitivities of the available noninvasive tests are relatively low. However, with an increased index of suspicion, clinicians will recognize more cases that will allow them to institute supportive treatment to improve the quality of life of the patient.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23148854/