Chloe the Cavoodle spent several days visiting us at the NWVC and Casey Pet Emergency after ingesting a bone just before Christmas. Chloe felt very out of sorts, and rightly so – she was experiencing a bout of Pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatitis commonly occurs in dogs, with no apparent age, breed or sex predisposition. The pancreas is a vital organ that lies on the right-hand side of the abdomen adjacent to the stomach. This organ produces enzymes that assist in food digestion, and hormones such as insulin which aid in the regulation of blood sugar or glucose metabolism. The most common clinical signs of canine pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and decreased appetite.
The exact cause of pancreatitis is not known, although it may be triggered in some cases by a fatty meal or corticosteroid administration. However, in many cases it appears to occur spontaneously.
Chloe’s treatment included intravenous fluid therapy, anti-nausea medication and pain relief. Once back at home with her family, these treatments appeared to reduce Chloe’s discomfort, however she still wasn’t feeling 100%. Chloe was again admitted for ultrasound imaging with Dr. Susi for further investigation. We’re pleased to report that no further abnormalities were found. Chloe is resting at home, receiving the Hills Prescription Low Fat I/D diet to help with further bouts of pancreatitis. She has been such a brave girl!