December 20, 2011
Posted in Pet Health

With the holiday season in full swing, most people are busy attending parties, spending time with family and eating tons of delicious foods. However, for veterinarians, this season also means something else – canine pancreatitis – the inflammation of the pancreas.

This season is known for this condition as it usually stems from an dog's overindulgence in rich or fatty foods, many of which are shared with them at family dinners. Although your relatives may think they're being sweet to your dog by giving it a bit of the tasty meal, they could actually be causing it harm.

You may not know it, but the pancreas – a boomerang-shaped organ in the abdominal cavity – is vital to a dog's health. It is where the body's source of insulin comes from. It is crucial for controlling blood sugar levels and produces digestive enzymes that work to properly absorb nutrients. When a dog eats its pet food or any other food, enzymes get released from the pancreas into the small intestine where food digestion occurs. However, sometimes these enzymes go off in the pancreas, which causes inflammation and subsequently pancreatitis. Aside from rich foods, dogs can also develop this condition from a hormonal imbalance or certain pet meds.

Clinical signs that your dog may be suffering from pancreatitis include vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lethargy and a loss of appetite.

Diagnosing this disorder can be challenging as non-invasive testing can be inaccurate. Because of this, the vet will need a detailed medical history of your pooch. The vet will then run certain tests but will most likely also need to do a pancreatic biopsy.

The news outlet reports that there is no cure for pancreatitis, that it is similar to a bruise and the inflammation will go away on its own. However, a vet may prescribe antibiotics such as Amoxicillin or Doxycycline to ward off secondary infections.

To keep the condition at bay, owners are urged to only feed their dogs nutritious kibble like Halo Spot's Stew Adult Dry Dog Food and always ask a vet before feeding canines any table food. Pet owners who feel guilty eating delicious meals while their pets look on can combat this by offering them suitable treats like Greenies for dogs, PureBites or a Dingo Merry Meaty Holiday Large Candy Cane. Starting it on a one-a-day supplement like Pet Tabs may also keep dogs' bodies in perfect health.

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