Protect your pet from pancreatitis during the holidays

By Dr. Christine Gerardi

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it is important to be aware of what can cause your pet to take an unwanted trip to the emergency room. During family gatherings it is not uncommon for your dog or cat to sneak some human food off the coffee table, out of trash can or for guests to give the pet a “little taste.”

While fatty or spicy foods may taste great, our pets do not digest them the same way as you and I. It is important to know that table scraps fed to pets can cause some serious damage to an organ called the pancreas.
If your pet manages to get their paws on some human food it could cause them to suffer from a condition called pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ adjacent to the stomach, which produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin, which help the body regulate levels of glucose in the blood. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it can cause unpleasant symptoms for your pet. These symptoms can include a loss of appetite, vomiting, belly pain, fever, diarrhea, lethargy, hard time breathing and the possibility of an irregular heartbeat.
If you notice your dog or cat having any of these symptoms for more than a day, it is very important that you take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Pets can often recover from pancreatitis, but it is possible for severe cases to become fatal. If your pet is overweight or has other diseases such as diabetes, it may be more difficult for them to recover. All breeds of dogs and cats can get pancreatitis, but some breeds such as miniature schnauzers, miniature poodles, cocker spaniels and Siamese cats are prone to it.
A full physical exam and blood work are necessary to diagnose your pet with pancreatitis. As with most conditions, the earlier that treatment is started the better the prognosis. Pets with pancreatitis typically require in-hospital care. The key to treatment is to stop any stress on the pancreas, which is achieved by keeping the animal off all food. Your pet will require intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain electrolyte balance and hydration. Pancreatitis is also a painful disease process, so pain medication will be started right away.
Further treatment may vary depending on the symptoms each particular pet is experiencing. For example, an animal may require an anti-nausea medication if vomiting is an issue. In-hospital treatment time may be necessary for one to four days, depending on the severity of clinical signs and how well each individual patient responds to treatment. A low-fat diet will be slowly introduced towards the end of treatment.
As mentioned earlier, most pets will recover from pancreatitis as long as the symptoms are recognized quickly enough and they receive medical attention within a short period of time. If your pet exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, please get them to the doctor as soon as possible to ensure they recover as quickly as possible. Happy holidays!