How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Recover From Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a condition of health that you would want your dog to never wish to go through. The pancreas is the organ in the dog’s body which serves many important things such as secreting enzymes for digestion, producing the hormones like insulin. If you think that your dog has any such symptoms you must immediately take your dog to a Veterinarian.

What Does Pancreas Do?

The pancreas is a solid granular organ that is located in the upper right part of the stomach. It is very tightly packed in the duodenum which is under the stomach. Its near the liver and the colon.

The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine functions:

  • The endocrine cells secrete hormones in the body.
  • The exocrine gland secretes enzymes through a duct system.

What Is Acute Pancreatitis?

It is a life-threatening emergency when it comes to dogs. The inflammation is so high that it creates congestion and swelling in the pancreas. This reduces the hormone production and kills the cells. The most threatening part of the pancreatitis is that the exocrine cells may leak enzymes into the surrounding tissue because the cells start to die. Due to this the pancreas start to digest their own tissues and even leak into the abdomen. This can cause inflammation and death of cells.

Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs

Always consult a veterinarian if you see any of these symptoms:

  • Dehydration.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Fever.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Hunching of the back as if they want to protect its belly.
  • Blood in feces.
  • Lethargy – or its opposite, restlessness.

If you see these symptoms in your dog you should contact your vet as acute pancreatitis can cause severe health issues such as:

  • Death.
  • Organ Failure.
  • Septic shock.

Breeds at Risk for Pancreatitis

Dog breeds which are at huge risk for acute pancreatitis:

Yorkshire Terriers

Miniature Schnauzers (who have issues metabolism of fat) 

Breeds predisposed to chronic pancreatitis include:

Cocker Spaniels

Collies

Boxers

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

What Is Chronic Pancreatitis?

When your dog gets a low grade and smoldering form of pancreatitis. It produces signs of illness such as vomiting, colitis and sometimes lack of appetite. The pancreatitis can lead to type 1 diabetes or insufficiency in pancreas.

How to Comfort a Dog with Pancreatitis?

Aside from good treatment and medication, listed below are some points which you can do to help your dog as much as possible to recover quickly:

  • Feed the Dog Bland Food: The vet will most likely tell you that it is important for your dog to eat bland food during the first couple of weeks. If you want dog food which would be best food for your dog during those days, then provide the blandest food to your dog. The easiest diet you can prepare is the boiled chicken with white rice.
  • Stop Feeding Your Dog Human Food: If you are feeding your dog the same food which you eat, you need to stop doing that. Human food, mainly the ones which are high in fat, can create problems for your dog. Those which are high in fat can be the main cause of pancreatitis.
  • Make Sure Your Dog Leads a Healthy Lifestyle: In addition to providing your dog a balanced and nutritious diet. You have to make sure that your dog does not get overweight. Thus, they need to have a healthy lifestyle with a lot of exercise regularly to prevent pancreatitis.

Common Questions about Dogs with Pancreas

Here are some common questions that you might want to know about pancreatitis.

Can Pancreatitis In Dogs Be Cured At Home?

Pancreatitis can range from mild to severe. Many dog owners assume that they can cure dogs suffering with serious symptoms at home. This is one thing you should not do. Pancreatitis can become a very serious concern when not treated properly. It is very important that you get this treated properly at an early age by consulting a vet. The vet can administer treatment that will reduce the risk of pancreatitis and will protect your dog from this dangerous disease.

Is Sweet Potato Good For Dogs With Pancreatitis?

Whit rice is a good choice when it comes to feeding the dogs. However, you can also give you dogs sweet potatoes. Make sure you peel the skin before you feed it to the dogs.

How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Recover From Pancreatitis?

It depends on the type and severity of the pancreatitis which the dog is suffering from. However, mild cases take a couple of weeks to recover.

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