Pancreatitis

See also Pancreas pathology

Signalment

• Yorkshire terriers, Labradors, Miniature Schnauzers and Miniature Poodles are predisposed
• Middle-old aged dogs
• Increased risk with obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticalism, prior GIT disease or epilepsy (?treatment associated).
• Male and speyed females > intact females.

Description

Can be referred to as Acute or chronic pancreatitis.

• Acute Pancreatitis is rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas with little or no pathological changes occuring post recovery.
• Chronic Pancreatitis is continued inflammation leading to irreversible pathological changes (fibrosis, atrophy) and possible decreases in function.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood, fresh or melaena, due to the proximity of inflamed pancreas to the duodenum and colon)
• More severe cases may present in shock, acute renal failure, jaundiced (due to focal hepatic necrosis), or with cardiac arrhythmias or pulmonary oedema or pleural effusions, widespread haemorrhage or DIC
• Acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis may present as circulatory collapse

References

Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition) BSAVA

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual