Spring 2017 Saber Tails 69
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
Cont’d from previous page
or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, with their own sets
of clinical signs. The worst cases, those with severe acute
disease, might present with sudden onset of appetite loss,
weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These
dogs may be in cardiovascular shock and suffering multi-
organ failure. These severe acute cases should be referred
to tertiary care hospitals for intensive treatment. Unfortu-
nately, the mortality rate for such referred cases in referral
hospitals ranges from 27 to 58%.
C
ooper was 4 years old when he lost his appetite and
exhibited acute signs of discomfort and restlessness.
Cooper’s mom suspected that he had gotten into some
greasy food at the local chowder bar. After several trips
to the local vet, Cooper was referred to a tertiary care
hospital, where he underwent surgery. Unfortunately, the
surgeon offered little hope for Cooper’s recovery and the
decision was made to let him go. His mom was devastated
to lose her heart dog.
W
hat are the causes of pancreatitis? Dogs of any age,
breed, or sex can develop pancreati-
tis. In most cases, the dogs are middle-aged
to senior (> 5 years of age) and the causes
are unknown (called idiopathic). Those who
are diagnosed with pancreatitis likely have
some genetic susceptibility combined with
exposure to an environmental risk factor.
O
ne morning when Desilu was 10 years
old, she had a morning appointment
with the vet and returned home with a clean
bill of health. That afternoon, she began
throwing up blood. Desilu was rushed back to the vet and
tests indicated that she had pancreatitis. Her mom suspects
that she had been eating the rich puppy food meant for the
new puppy in the household. Desilu was switched to a low-
fat diet and fully recovered. From that time on, her family
watched her like a hawk to make sure that she only ate the
appropriate food and she never had a relapse.
A
mong the causes of pancreatitis in dogs are a high-fat
diet, dietary indiscretion (which is vet-speak for a dog
that has eaten an entire package of hot dogs or some other
no-no), and obesity. With a PBGV in the house, we have
all learned the hard way to push scrumptious food to the
back of the kitchen counter and to keep a sharp eye on our
hound who can sniff out tasty trash during walks through
the neighborhood. I know from personal experience that a
moment of inattention in the kitchen can lead to the dis-
appearance of a ham steak, a chunk of deer sausage, or
a wedge of brie. In a dog with no other risk factors for
pancreatitis, perhaps that indiscretion will simply lead to a
single bout of vomiting or diarrhea. In combination with
other risk factors, a susceptible dog might get very sick.
O
ne PBGV was diagnosed when she was 10
years old. Her family brought her to the vet
when she vomited, was arching her back in pain,
and had black stool. Blood tests revealed high
pancreatic lipase levels, indicative of pancreatitis.
Her family thinks that, in retrospect, this picky
eater had very mild chronic pancreatitis for sev-
eral years. The acute attack was likely triggered
by a home cooked pork meal that had too much
fat. She went on Pepcid for her stomach, Trama-
dol for pain, and the antibiotic Flagel. From then
on, her family kept her on a strict, home-cooked
low fat diet, which fully managed her symptoms.
O
n the other end of the appetite spectrum was Star.
No one could ever call Star a picky eater. She ate ev-
erything she could get into her mouth, including a leather
jacket, slipcovers, underwear, stuffed animals, and a pound
of chocolate chips. She and her littermate, Preacher, were
both on Comfortis (to kill fleas). Preacher was 4 years old
when he had his first symptoms of pancreatitis; Star had
her first symptoms at 5 years old. Their mom is convinced
that the Comfortis was a trigger since the symptoms
stopped and started when she stopped and started the flea
treatment. Despite eliminating this trigger, Star’s dietary
indiscretions ultimately led to abdominal bleeding and se-
vere acute pancreatitis symptoms. Fortunately, Preacher is
doing well at age 13.
I
n humans, the majority of individuals with recurrent
pancreatitis have genetic
Causes of pancreatitis in
dogs:
• A high-fat diet
• Dietary indiscretion
• Obesity
* Hypothyroidism
• Severe blunt trauma
• Diabetes mellitus
• Certain medications
• Genetic predisposition
From AKC.org
Cont’d next page