My dog has pancretitis, is there any home remedies that will help my dog?

Answer 1

When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the disorder is called pancreatitis. It is a disease process that is seen commonly in the dog. There is no age, sex, or breed predisposition.

The pancreas, a vital organ that lies on the right side of the abdomen and has two functions:

1) to produce enzymes which help in digestion of food and,
2)to produce hormones, such as insulin.

The cause of pancreatitis is notreally known; however, there may be several contributory factors. It is often associated with a rich, fatty meal. In some cases, it may be associated with the administration of cortisone; factors tha can contribute to the development of pancreatitis can be infections; metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia (high amounts of lipid in the blood) and hypercalcemia (high amounts of calcium in the blood); and trauma and shock. Middle-aged dogs appear to be at an increased risk of developing pancreatitis. Of course, nutritionplays a large role. Dogs with diets high in cooked fat, or dogs who 'steal' or are fed greasy 'people food' seem to have a high incidence of the disease.

Under normal conditions, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are activated when they reach the small intestines. In pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead of in the small intestines. This results in digestion of the pancreas itself. The clinical signs of pancreatitis are often variable, and the intensity of the disease will depend on the quantity of enzymes that are prematurely activated.

There are two main forms of acute (sudden onset) pancreatitis:

1) the mild, edematous form and,
2) the more severe, hemorrhagic form.

A few dogs that have and recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the acute disease, known as chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity which can result in secondary damage to surrounding organs, such as the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines.

Nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea typically manifest the disease. The symptoms can also be a very painful abdomen, abdominal distention, lack of appetite, depression, dehydration, a 'hunched up' posture, vomiting, diarrhea and yellow, greasy stool. Fever often accompanies these symptoms. If the attack is severe, acute shock, depression, and death may occur. Laboratory tests usually reveal an elevated white blood cell count; however, many other things besides pancreatitis may also cause an elevated white blood cell count. The elevation of pancreatic enzymes in the blood is probably the most helpful criteria in detecting pancreatic disease, but some dogs with pancreatitis will have normal levels. Radiographs and ultrasound studies may show an area of inflammation in the location of the pancreas. Unfortunately, many dogs with pancreatitis will elude detection with any of these tests. Consequently, the diagnosis of pancreatitis may be tentative in some cases.

Will my dog recover?

The prognosis depends on the extent of the disease when presented and a favorable response to initial therapy. Dogs that present with shock and depression have a very guarded prognosis. Most of the mild forms of pancreatitis have a good prognosis.

Treatment/Management

The successful management of pancreatitis will depend on early diagnosis and prompt medical therapy. Resting the pancreas from its role in digestion best treats the mild form of the disease. The only way to "turn off" the pancreas is to withhold all oral fluids and food for a short period of time. This approach is of course, accompanied by intravenous fluids to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance. In addition, anti-inflammatory herbs, homeopathic remedies or drugs are sometimes administered. The presence of shock necessitates the immediate and intense use of intravenous fluids.

Usually, a number of cells that produce the digestive enzymes are destroyed either prior to the attack or due to the attack its self which will cause insufficient digestion of foods to follow. This is known as pancreatic insufficiency and can be treated with daily administration of enzymes added in the food. If a significant number of cells that produce insulin are destroyed, diabetes mellitus can result and insulin therapy may be needed. In rare cases, adhesions between the abdominal organs may occur as a consequence of pancreatitis. However, most dogs recover with no long-term effects.

Recommendations to prevent and treat pancreatitis

1. Dietary enzymes in a chewable healthy pet treat or granular form sprinkled on the food.

Enzymes are heat sensitive and destroyed in processing/cooking of all commercial foods or making home cooked diets. As care givers ot our dogs, we must put dietary enzymes back into the diet, in order to maintain proper wellness and not deplete their body of this important resource. Enzymes are of course needed to properly digest foods but they have other functions in the body as well, such as helping or preventing the following:

· Allergic reactions
· Arthritis
· Orthopedic problems ~ HOD, OCO, Pano, Wobblers, Hip Dysplasia, ACL
· Epilepsy and Seizures
· Vaccine reactions
Enzymes act as a natural anti-inflammatory ~ so you can avoid risky medicines
Enzymes Cleanse residual toxins from medicines, flea and parasite preparations.
Enzymes Boost the immune system
· Reduces shedding
· Reduce itchy ears
· Prevent and aid in healing Yeast infections,
· Bladder infections,
· Hotspots,
Enzymes reduce healing time from injury, surgery (cropping/bloat/c-sections),
· Reduce recovery time from anesthesia.

We recommend Fastrack Microbial Powder orSolid Gold D-Zymes Digestive Enzymes 2. Probiotics or “friendly bacteria”

Probiotics are microorganisms necessary for a healthy and balanced intestinal tract. There are two types of bacteria found in the intestinal tract, good and harmful bacteria. Good bacteria, or probiotics, ensure good health, as they are absolutely vital to help:

1. Produce natural antibiotics, which can fight harmful bacteria
2. Regulate and increase hormone levels
3. Manufacture B group vitamins, biotin and folic acid
4. Stimulate the immune system
5. Reduce food intolerance
6. Increase energy levels
7. Inhibit the growth of some yeast
8. Absorb nutrients, antioxidants and iron from food that is eaten
9. Reduce inflammation
10. Increase digestibility of food
11. Enhance Immune Function

We recommend Fastrack Canine Gel and/or Fastrack Canine Microbial Supplement powder, which also contain enzymes as well!

3. Diet
The die should be low in fat without harmful chemical additives or “junk” and easily digested.

Nutrition and your dog’s daily diet should be closely examined. Read the labels on your dog’s food and see what the ingredients are and what the fat, salt and grain content are.

Look for a food that is all natural with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, etc. and has more meat then any other ingredient and no grains or just rice as a grain. As stated above, pancretitis is usually caused by eating a very high fat, rich meal that the dog is not used to or due to the use of cortisone. Natural, raw fats (empasis on raw) are normally well tolerated by healthy dogs. It is the cooked, processed fats that tend to cause the problem. So, unless your dog has chronic pancretitis, there is really no need to switch to a lower fat diet for the dog, just a healthier one over all.

The pancreas is in control of insulin production, which controls blood glucose regulation. This means that often dogs with diabetes can be prone to pancreatitis, and pancreatitis can lead to diabetes. This means it would be a good idea to watch the amount of sugar in the diet as well. This would include high glycemic vegetables, fruits and honey as well as grains.

Avoid grains such as corn, wheat, barley, rye and even oats and soy. Dogs were not designed to properly digest grains in the first place and they turn to sugars in the body.

If you feed table scraps or cook for your dog, be sure to avoid fatty foods such as gravy, bacon, ham, sausage, margarine or processed foods. Feed only unseasoned meats and leave out the veggies and fruit.

Answer 2

There isn't a specific remedy for pancreatitis. Not eating or drinking anything is the best way to calm it - when you eat/drink the pancreas is stimulated and it cannot heal when it has to work.

Hospitalizing your dog and keeping him/her on IV fluids until the enzyme levels are normal, or ultrasound shows a normal pancreas is the best way to heal it.

If you cannot do that, feed a very bland diet only 1-2 times a day, nothing fatty. If the pancreatitis is mild you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your dog over it, but if it is severe or chronic it may be a tougher road.

What kind of dog do you have? How was it diagnosed with pancreatitis? Do you know what the trigger was?

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

No there is not, unless you want your dog to die. You need to get your dog to the vet ASAP and start getting it treated.

Answer 5

Have a look here.

Answer 6

Ask the vet.