Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Differences in dogs with acute pancreatitis or other gut problems
By Sidler, Melanie et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Comparison of Clinical, Laboratory, and Ultrasonographic Findings in Dogs With Acutely Presenting Clinical Signs and Either Normal or Increased Serum DGGR Lipase Activity.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet with vomiting and abdominal pain, suspected to have acute pancreatitis due to high levels of a specific enzyme (DGGR lipase) in the blood. The vet found that while both pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal issues can cause similar symptoms, dogs with pancreatitis often had higher enzyme levels and specific ultrasound findings. The dog was treated and hospitalized for a few days, and while the severity of symptoms was similar between the two groups of dogs, those with pancreatitis showed distinct signs on imaging. The dog recovered after treatment and was sent home.
People also search for: dog vomiting pancreatitis treatment · dog abdominal pain ultrasound · high lipase levels in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is unclear if dogs with acute pancreatitis differ clinically from dogs with non-pancreatic acute gastrointestinal disease (aGId). OBJECTIVES: Compare clinical findings in dogs with acute gastrointestinal signs suspected of having acute pancreatitis (sAP) based on increased DGGR-lipase activity versus those with presumptive aGId. ANIMALS: Twenty-six dogs with sAP, 48 dogs with aGId based on acute signs, lipase activity > 450 U/L (RI, 17-156 U/L) and within/minimally (20 U/L) > RI, respectively. METHODS: Prospective study. Clinical signs were graded using a simplified modified clinical activity index (MCAI). CBC, biochemistry, C-reactive protein (CRP), pancreatic, and gastrointestinal ultrasonographic findings were compared between groups. RESULTS: Median (range) disease duration before presentation (sAP 36 h [3-96 h], aGId 48 h [3-168 h]) did not differ. Diarrhea was significantly more frequent in aGId; MCAI did not differ between groups. Median (range) lipase activities in sAP and aGId dogs were 1280 U/L (451-6712) and 49.5 U/L (14-176), respectively. Alkaline phosphatase activity and bilirubin were significantly higher in sAP. Pancreatic ultrasonographic abnormalities were significantly more common in sAP. In aGId, a mixed-echoic (17/44, 39%), hyperechoic (9/44, 20%), hypoechoic pancreas (3/44, 7%), and hyperechoic mesentery (4/44, 9%) were found. Only a distended stomach was significantly more common in sAP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis only identified pancreatic enlargement and ultrasonographic diagnosis of pancreatitis to increase the odds of sAP. Hospitalization (median, range) did not differ (sAP 3, 1-8 days; aGId 2.5, 1-5 days). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Both groups do not differ in clinical severity; diarrhea is less prevalent, and mild cholestasis is more common in sAP. Pancreatic ultrasonographic changes suggestive of AP are rare in aGId.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40452242/