What to do when a dog has pancreatitis?
It is almost impossible for an owner to determine if their dog has pancreatitis, without help from a veterinarian and diagnostic testing. However, there are glaring signs that indicate the need to visit a vet. There are certain things to do when a dog has pancreatitis, they include:
- Feed your dog properly: initially, the treatment given to dog pancreatitis was fasting. The intention was to rest the pancreas. However, recent research has shown that fasting is not appropriate. If vomiting is not constant, a dog with pancreatitis must eat.
- Fluid therapy: aggressive iv (intravenous) fluid therapy is essential. Dehydration exacerbates pancreatitis in dogs and can affect other organs such as the stomach and intestines. Except in mild cases, the subcutaneous fluid is usually very inadequate.
- Hospitalization: A dog needs to be taken to the hospital in complicated cases. It is very important there is a doctor on-site 24 hours, to provide adequate treatment.
- Pain Management: the pain associated with dog pancreatitis is very severe, so medication should be given to dogs. These drugs should be prescribed by a vet. The pains could affect the kidney, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health [7].
Conclusion
Dog Pancreatitis should be attended to properly by a vet because if left unattended to, can lead to other severe medical condition. Certain enzymes in the pancreas help in metabolic activities. Therefore, inflammation in the pancreas impedes these metabolic activities.
References
[1] http://www.akc.org/
[2] http://www.healthline.com/
[3] http://www.healthline.com/
[4] http://www.akc.org/
[5] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
[6] http://www.medicinenet.com/
[7] http://www.webmd.com/