Last week, one of my patients was brought to the clinic along with a family member for moral support.
Clara and Pippi are eight- and nine-year-old miniature schnauzers, half-sisters born of the same mother but having different fathers, they are totally inseparable. It was Clara who had to be checked.
Clara had slowly but steadily been losing weight over a long period of time. She had a dry coat and her spine had started to become quite prominent. Her gums were a bit too pale and her owner told me that while her appetite was quite normal, she thought her stools had not been quite right for a long time.
Having reviewed Clara’s history and conducted a clinical examination, it was evident that this was not one of the more common ailments such as kidney disease, liver problems or sand-fly disease, which typically exhibit such symptoms. So we decided to perform some more detailed blood work.
While blood tests cannot always detect or confirm suspected diseases, they can sometimes provide clues as to what the underlying problem may be. And so it was in Clara’s case when the results of the blood test indicated that the blood levels of her pancreatic enzymes were high. This meant that there was a strong suspicion of a problem with Clara’s pancreas.
The pancreas is a vitally important organ situated inside the abdomen. It produces insulin which helps the body to regulate blood sugar levels.
It helps to neutralise stomach acid and contributes towards the absorption of vitamin B12 in the body. It also releases enzymes that help the body to digest food. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the condition is medically referred to as pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis can occur in both cats and dogs. Certain breeds of dogs are known to be predisposed to getting pancreatitis. Among the most common of sufferers are miniature schnauzers just like Clara, Yorkshire terriers, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, and poodles. Middle- to older-aged female dogs are more prone to suffering from pancreatitis.
There are a number of reasons why the pancreas swells up. It can happen after a dog eats very fatty food such as pork, beef or other high-fat human foods.
It can be triggered through the inexpert administration of certain medications and can come about through viral or bacterial infections such as gastritis, enteritis or gastroenteritis. It can also develop because of cancer of the pancreas or adjacent organs, or the presence of a foreign body in the gut. Obese dogs or dogs that have diabetes are also more likely to suffer from pancreatitis.
When it strikes, it can occur either in acute or chronic form, and both forms may be either mild or severe in nature. When it is acute, your pet will suffer sudden abdominal pain possibly accompanied by vomiting and diarrhoea.
The pancreas, a vitally important organ situated inside the abdomen, produces insulin which helps the body to regulate blood sugar levels, helps to neutralise stomach acid and contributes towards the absorption of vitamin B12
The condition will develop suddenly but is usually reversible if your pet is quickly taken to the vet and there are no underlying conditions triggering the onset. If it is chronic, the condition will develop over a longer period of time and the symptoms will be silent but just as serious.
Most cases of pancreatitis tend to be ‘idiopathic’. Idiopathic is the medical term used when there is no obvious reason for the ailment or condition. Symptoms are generally vague and non-specific, making it that much harder to diagnose, but they are generally the same for both acute and chronic forms.
In both cats and dogs, these might include loss of appetite, lethargy, low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dehydration and/or fever. The good news is that once your veterinarian suspects pancreatitis, specific blood tests are available to test for this condition.
As pet owners, it helps your veterinarian if you observe your pet well and report on any symptoms you have observed. This disease can be challenging to treat and the care and therapy usually aim to reduce and control the patient’s discomfort.
Sometimes, all it takes is a permanent change to a restricted fat-free diet. These are also available as a ready prepared prescription diet and, depending upon the severity of the symptoms, medications are also given. Clara’s pancreatic condition was of the chronic type. Although this was not the best of news, Clara’s owner understands that it could have been much worse and that it is a condition for which treatment is available.
We are both looking forward to an improvement in her condition.
thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com
Dr Martin Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.