Canine Pancreatitis Treatment

Canine pancreatitis is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes inflammation of the pancreas (part of a digestive system). In this condition, the pancreas, that release certain enzymes for proper digestion of food, no longer functions normally. As a result, the digestion process is severely hampered. This condition, that is accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting, is generally seen in obese and overweight dogs. Read more on canine pancreatitis: symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs.

Causes of Canine Pancreatitis
Veterinarians are still unable to identify the exact reason behind the occurrence of canine pancreatitis. There are certain risk factors that can make a dog vulnerable to this condition. For instance, an obese dog that performs very less physical activity is likely to suffer from pancreatitis. Other factors that put the dog in the risk zone of canine pancreatitis are as follows:

• Diet rich in fats
• Trauma
• Diabetes
• Ingestion of synthetic drugs (corticosteroids)

Canine Pancreatitis Treatment
Canine pancreatitis treatment is a step by step procedure that aims at relieving the symptoms. Once, the diagnostic methods confirm that the dog is affected with pancreatitis, following steps are taken.

Fluid Therapy: Dogs diagnosed with canine pancreatitis are not allowed to consume food and water for a temporary period. Instead, fluids are administered intravenously to keep the dog well hydrated. Fluid therapy is extremely important as putting food intake on hold gives the inflamed pancreas sufficient time to heal. This type of therapy is continued until the dog's health significantly improves. In addition to fluid therapy, the following medicines may be prescribed for canines suffering from pancreatitis.

Pain Relievers: In order to reduce the pain associated with canine pancreatitis, the veterinarian may prescribe certain pain relievers. The commonly prescribed pain relievers include Butorphanol and Meperidine. Application of Fentanyl patches on the dog's skin to deliver the pain medication through the skin can also help to alleviate the discomfort caused by this condition. Fentanyl will be more effective if the area is shaved before applying it. Fentanyl patches are generally attached using an elastic bandage, for a period of 3 days. Read more on painkillers for dogs.

Antibiotics: Dogs plagued with frequent bouts of vomiting are prescribed an antacid along with antibiotics (cephalexin). This form of canine pancreatitis treatment is used when the condition causes high fever or a considerable decrease in white cell count. Antibiotics also aid to prevent the onset of secondary infections.

Canine Pancreatitis Diet
As aforementioned, the dog is given intravenous fluids (for at least 24 hours) and this practice is discontinued only when the dog shows a great deal of improvement. When it comes to restoring food intake, a low fat diet is prescribed. This is because the digestive system is not capable to absorb the fats from the food. Another advantage of a reduced fat diet is that it can help to relieve symptoms of canine pancreatitis. A low fat diet can be easily digested and does not put any stress on the pancreas. Rice and chicken (boiled or cooked) are some of the crucial dog foods that form an integral part of canine pancreatitis treatment. There are some veterinary diets that are specially formulated for dogs with pancreatitis as well. These prescribed diets contain added nutrients that speed up recovery. Those looking for commercial dog food should ensure that it is of high quality (low fat) and contains organic ingredients. Read more on canine pancreatitis diet.

Making the dog food at home is the best option. Homemade dog food can be easily digestible meals such as overcooked rice, skinless chicken along with low fat cottage cheese. These are not only easy for the canine to digest, but are a great source of nourishment as well. Following are the foods that should be included in a canine pancreatitis diet

• Cooked vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli
• Lean ground beef (low fat)
• Egg whites
• Barley
• Oatmeal
• Sweet potatoes

To know more about diseases associated with dogs read:

• Dog Health
• Dog Illnesses
• Dog Health Problems

Instead of giving 2 large meals, feeding the dog in small portions (5-6 meals) will put less burden on the pancreas. Make sure that while giving chicken, the skin and the bones are removed. Recurrence of canine pancreatitis can always be prevented by keeping the dog on a low fat diet. Even a high fiber diet can predispose the dog to recurrent pancreatitis. A moderate fiber diet is often considered the mainstay of canine pancreatitis treatment.