Why does a dog eating a mouse cause pancreatitis?

Question

Somebody listed this as part of an answer regarding a mouse. I am a biologist that studies mice, and I have never heard of this. Why would it cause pancreatitis?

The person didn't list a reference. The answer occurs in the question "Should I take my dog to the vet for eating a mouse?" or something like that.

Answer 1

I've never heard of a mouse causing pancreatitis in dogs. What sources did they list? I'm curious. There's plenty of dogs out there that hunt and eat mice (mine do) and not one that I've heard of have gotten it. The only references I could find that would perhaps be a cause would be bacteria from contaminated food or water. Perhaps eating a mouse contaminated with bacteria could trigger the disease, but most often the disease in dogs (and humans for that matter) is linked to obesity, high fat diets and occasionally by medications. In humans, chronic alcohol use can also trigger acute attacks.

Answer 2

In a large number of cases, according to doctors, the cause of pancreatitis remains unknown. During holiday seasons, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving,Vets see many more cases of pancreatitis at the clinic due to high fatty meals. Another cause of pancreatitis is brought on by medication including the medications asparagines and eazathioprine.

There is no evidence that eating a mouse causes pancreatitis, unless the mouse aggravated an existing pancreatic problem

Answer 3

In a dog with chronic pancreatitis, any shift in diet can cause an acute flare-up. Fatty kitchen scraps will kill a dog with pancreatitis.

Answer 4

Pancreatitis can be cause by dietary indiscretion in general, especially involving high protein and high fat foods. We typically see it this weekend, after everyone feeds their dogs turkey. :)

Any change in diet for that matter that is vastly different from what the pet normally gets can cause GI upset. Feeding dog food to a dog that is on a BARF diet could potentially cause pancreatitis.

And for the BARFer, no, this is not a myth. You'll find that out when you go to vet school.

Answer 5

It doesn't - it is just another myth that people spread about the feeding of raw meat.

I hope the links help.

EDIT - I can only assume that I am the BARFER referred to below. If by this you mean that I recommend a diet based on Bones And Raw Food (raw meat, edible bones and offal) then yes I will happily claim that title. If you mean the commercialised patties with vegetables and ground bones then I may have to meet you at dawn!! :-) I am only joking about this but there is a huge difference between the two schools of thought, please don't confuse them.

Answer 6

Never heard that a mouse can cause it, but I know that fatty foods can, such as fried foods, cooked turkey skin and cooked bacon. I myself wouldn't compare a mouse to bacon...

Answer 7

Wait while I find out what pancreatitis is firstly!

Answer 8

Well, Mice have organs that might work differently and not clean blood as WELL as dogs or humans, so when a dog eats one it might send dirtier, not as well working blood to the limb, and it could get infected or not work as well.

Answer 9

my dogs have eaten so many things, its too many to count.

I feel strongly that is a "Chemical" concern.... I did have animals that got very sick from consumed roaches and rodents, that had been chemically treated, yet it didn't kill them.

Answer 10

Transmitted diseases that rodents carry.