Did you know that vacation times are the ones with the most veterinary emergencies? Specifically, pets with pancreatitis due to ingestion of foods that they should not taste.

At Glòries Veterinary Hospital we would like to emphasize the importance of having a safe summer or Christmas vacation for pets. Those days, excesses are the protagonists among humans … but our dogs do not have to suffer the consequences of our carelessness and lack of restrictions. Read on to learn more about pancreatitis in dogs and what you can do to prevent it.

Introduction to pancreatitis in pets

The pancreas is an organ located near the stomach and small intestine. It is responsible for producing insulin and digestive enzymes. Acute pancreatitis occurs when this important glandular organ becomes inflamed.

Although there is no discernible cause for pancreatitis in pets, it does match some of these risk factors:

  • Obesity.
  • Fatty food diet or a sudden greasy meal given all at once.
  • Abdominal / thoracic trauma.
  • Certain medications (potassium bromide, anticancer drugs, antibiotics, etc.).
  • Mellitus diabetes.
  • Cushing’s disease.
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Previous episode of pancreatitis (can turn into chronic pancreatitis)

Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs can range from mild to life-threatening. They generally include:

  • Repeated vomiting with or without diarrhea.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stooped posture.
  • Pain when touching the abdomen or sides.
  • Bloating or bloating.
  • Lethargy.
  • Dehydration
  • Fever.

Because inflammation can spread to other vital organs, it’s important to take these signs seriously and have your pet examined by your vet as soon as possible.

Once the diagnosis is made, pancreatitis is treated with supportive therapies, such as intravenous fluid therapy, anti-vomiting medications, and pain relief. Depending on the severity of the episode, some pets may require medical monitoring for 48 hours or more. They may also require nutritional support and treatment for secondary problems caused by pancreatitis.

At best, the animal will only experience mild to moderate symptoms, but some pets develop severe episodes or become vulnerable to chronic episodes.

Safer holiday lunches and dinners for your pet

The good news is that you can still include your pet in your festivities. To make the most of these special times, it is not necessary to feed him the same as you dine at that barbecue with friends. Here are some tips for including your dog in vacation plans:

  • Reserve the morning of the event in question to take a walk or walk with more friends and their pets. Your dog will get tired and less active at the time of the celebration.
  • During food preparation and cleaning, consider moving your pet away or keeping it in another room, entertained with her toys, and away from garbage and food debris that may fall to the floor.
  • During celebrations, ask guests to refrain from giving your pet scraps (even the dog puts on his best beggar’s face). Quickly clean up spills and don’t leave plates / glasses on coffee tables or other low surfaces.
  • Share some healthier foods with your pet in small amounts. Some good options are unseasoned steamed green beans, baby carrots, sweet potatoes, or squash. You can also consider a small amount of cooked, boneless, and skinless turkey meat.
  • Be aware of toxic foods that can make your pet seriously ill, such as chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, garlic, and onions.

Do you think you can prevent your dog from eating food that he should not? We hope you find these tips helpful the next time you go to a celebration with lots of food and your pet.