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Small Organ, Big Trouble Bark_51_FINAL_rev_p124 10/8/08 10:45 AM Page 103 V VET ADVICE Nancy Kay, DVM, author of Speaking for Spot, is a board-certified specialist in the College of Veterinary Internal Small Organ, Medicine and on staff at the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park, Calif. Big Trouble speakingforspot.com When rich food appears, pancreatitis lurks By Nancy Kay, DVM ’TIS THE SEASON FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS, gift giving and food galore. Veterinar- ians know that this is also the season for canine pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), a painful, potentially life-threatening condition most com- monly caused by overindulgence in foods that are particularly rich or fatty. And what kitchen isn’t overflowing with such foods this time of year? The pancreas is a thin, delicate-appear- ing, boomerang-shaped organ that lives in the abdominal cavity, tucked up against the stomach and small intestine. While the pancreas may be diminutive in ap- pearance, its actions are mighty! It is the appetite and activity levels. Short of per- solve on its own. This is best accom- body’s source of insulin and enzymes forming a pancreatic biopsy (an invasive plished by allowing the pancreas to rest, necessary for food digestion. When pan- and risky procedure), diagnosing pan- which means giving nothing orally (not creatitis is chronic or particularly severe, creatitis can be challenging, because even water) to prevent digestive enzyme this little factory sometimes permanent- noninvasive tests are fraught with false- secretion. Treatment consists of hos- ly closes down, resulting in diabetes negative and false-positive results. Vet- pitalization for the administration of mellitus and the need for insulin shots erinarians must rely on a combination intravenous fluids; injectable medication and/or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency of the following: to control vomiting, pain and stomach- requiring digestive enzyme replacement acid secretion; and antibiotics to prevent therapy. • A history of dietary indiscretion, secondary infection or abscess forma- When a dog eats, enzymes are released vomiting and lethargy. tion. Dogs should be monitored around from the pancreas into the small intes- • Physical examination findings the clock for the life-threatening com- tine, where they are activated for food (particularly abdominal pain). plications that sometimes accompany digestion. Sometimes, for reasons we do • Characteristic complete blood cell pancreatitis, such as kidney failure, heart not understand, these enzymes are acti- count (CBC) and blood chemistry rhythm abnormalities, respiratory dis- vated within the pancreas itself, resulting abnormalities. tress and bleeding disorders. in the inflammation of pancreatitis. In • A positive or elevated Spec cPL Small amounts of water and a fat-free addition to rich or fatty foods, certain (canine pancreas-specific lipase) diet are typically offered once vomiting drugs, hormonal imbalances and inher- blood test. has stopped, abdominal pain has sub- ited defects in fat metabolism can also • Characteristic abdominal ultra- sided, and there is blood test and/or cause pancreatitis. For some dogs, an sound abnormalities. ultrasound confirmation that the inflam- underlying cause is never found. mation has calmed down. If your dog Classic pancreatitis symptoms include There is no cure for pancreatitis—much has pancreatitis, count on a minimum vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased like a bruise, the inflammation must re- of two to three days of hospitalization, Nov/Dec 2008 Bark 103 Bark_51_FINAL_rev_p124 10/8/08 10:45 AM Page 104 and be sure to ask who will be caring for ADOPT ME! your dog during the night. Long-term Little Stilton is treatment for pancreatitis typically in- a playful Lhasa/ volves feeding a low-fat or fat-free diet. Miniature Poodle- This may be a life-long recommendation, mix puppy with especially if your dog has been a “repeat soft grey fur. Family offender.” Most dogs fully recover with Milo Foundation, San Rafael, Calif. The dogs appropriate therapy; however, some suc- milofoundation.org Dog of our lives cumb to the complications associated SMILER with this disease. TAKEN IN 1901 AT LAKIN,KAN., How can you prevent pancreatitis dur- this photo shows brothers James ing this food-oriented time of year? You yourself (emphasis on shouldn’t), please and Victor Tate and their pup can avoid feeding holiday leftovers al- don’t feed it to your dog! By all means, Judge (patiently serving as a together (this would cause canine mutiny give your precious poopsie a bit of tur- cushion for Victor) and was sent in my household) or you can heed the key breast, but without the turkey skin in by their grandniece, Kristen following recommendations. or fat-laden mashed potatoes and creamy Adame. The Tate family ran the New foods should be fed sparingly and gravy. Go ahead and offer your sweet town’s general store from the only if well tolerated by your dog’s gas- snookums a bite of brisket, but please early 1880s until about 1995. trointestinal tract and waistline. Keep in —no potato latkes or sour cream! Bear James, who attended the U.S. mind that whether offered a teaspoon in mind that most dogs are so darned Naval Academy, died at the age or a tablespoon of something delicious, excited about getting a treat, they don’t of 21 in the 1918 flu epidemic. most dogs will gulp it down in the same care what it is, only that they’re getting it! Victor also attended the academy amount of time and reap the same psy- Some people dream of sugar plum and retired from the U.S. Navy in chological benefit. fairies, a white Christmas or a stress-free the 1950s. Judge’s story: Lakin was Don’t offer tidbits from the table while family gathering. I’m dreaming of a hol- a rural community, and even dogs you are eating. This is a set up for bad iday season in which not a single dog living on Main Street ran free. behavior. Offer the treat only after you’ve develops pancreatitis! I wish you and One day, Judge disappeared, and left the table. your four-legged family a happy and the children were heartbroken. If you shouldn’t be eating the food healthy holiday season. Then, about a year later, James and his father, George, made a trip to Ulysses, a town about 30 miles south of Lakin. And there on the street, sitting outside a café, was a dog who looked a lot like Judge! On closer inspection, the dog turned out to be their lost pooch, who had apparently been dognapped and used to help herd cattle in Ulysses. Happily, Judge was returned to the family, and lived out the rest of his consider- able life as the Tates’ family dog. Share with Us The dogs of your lives—their faces and stories are woven into your memories. Send us your stories or photographs to [email protected] 104 Bark Nov/Dec 2008.
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