Acute pancreatitis in dogs: A review

Acute pancreatitis is the more clinically recognized form of inflammation in pancreas. Failure of zymogens activation causes inflammation and necrosis of the pancreatic tissue thereby resulting in leakage of pancreatic digestive enzymes into the peritoneal space or the intravascular space. Chances of disease occurrence varies with respect to age, breeds etc. Dogs with acute pancreatitis attain “praying position” or “position of relief” in response to cranial abdominal pain. In addition, there is vomiting, anorexia and depression. Blood examination shows peripheral blood neutrophilia with a degenerative left shift, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Azotemia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia and eleveted levels of liver enzymes are usual findings. Disease is diagnosed by radiography, ultrasonography, Computed tomography and immunological tests. Fluid therapy, plasma, analgesics, antiemetics are generally recomended. Also, dogs are provided healthy diet.