Pancreatitis in dog who will be 1 next week

[keldal]

My boxer was hospitalized today with severe pancreatitis.  Her pancreatic enzymes are off the charts, it is so severe.  This was an acute case and she hasn't had it before.  She absolutely NEVER eats anything othet than her commercial dog kibble, especially due to multiple food allergies.  She's my service dog (in training) so she is always with us, so we know she didn't eat something she shouldn't have.  The vet has no idea what could make her so critically ill.

Has anyone experienced this illness that wasn't caused from eating human food?  Also, will she be prone to repeat attacks now that she's had this one?  She's inpatient for a few days so hopefully we'll learn more.

Thanks for any input!
Kelley

[keldal]

Thank you for your post almost 3 yrs ago! I'm just finding this now!!  I'm happy to say my sweet Bella recovered fully from this episode of Pancreatitis.  Unfortunately, three weeks later, she was bitten by Mosquitos and had a systemic allergic reaction and died.  The PET ER missed it and by the time we returned to the PET ER 12 hrs later, her brain was filled with fluid and her central nervous system had shut down.  We were devastated to lose her so young.  
  We have since gotten another one, Sarge.  He will be our last Boxer.  Just under 2 yrs old we had his heart screened.  He has severe cardiomyopathy.  He's on meds and doing fine.  We love him!  (And learned from Bella and got pet insurance the day we brought him home.  Trupanion Pet Insurance is spectacular!
Thanks again for your reply!  

[Jaybay]

Hi Kelley.  I'm so sorry to hear about your little boxer.  Pancreatitis is a terrible disease for dogs (and people) to endure.  If your vet hasn't yet performed an ultrasound, that will be the next step.  They'll need to check to see how swollen the pancreas is, if there is something like a tumor or pseudo-cyst, or even a birth defect causing the trouble.  It's even possible there is something blocking the pancreatitic or common bile duct at the root of the problem.

In dogs, one danger in severe cases (however slight) is that the swollen pancreas itself blocks not only the pancreatic duct but also the bile duct.  Bile from the liver gets stuck in the gallbladder and can't get to the small intestine.  I chose to put my dog to sleep after 3 weeks of trying to save his life because his gallbladder was getting so huge a rupture was likely.  While it IS possible to remove a gallbladder in a dog, the dog's anatomy makes it difficult and doing so in one so ill with pancreatitis generally isn't a good idea.

As you've no doubt been told already, pancreatitis is an incredibly painful condition.   Dogs are usually far more stoic about pain than people, but that doesn't mean their pain shouldn't be treated.  My dog had a 75 mcg fentanyl patch and dilaudid while he was an inpatient.

If nothing shows up on ultrasound, all the vets can do is literally starve your dog, treat the symptoms and hope for the best.  If there is no improvement in a week (or even less), she'll need a port installed in her neck.  It may sound extreme, but it's actually kinder for long-term patients - and pancreatitis can last a looooong time.  Blood draws can be taken from the port, so no more painful sticks in the leg; and fluids, meds and nutrients can be administered through the port without further sticks as well.

With such a severe case, complete digestive rest is essential.  That means absolutely NOTHING by mouth - not even water.  The pancreas is already trying to digest itself so you don't want to prompt it to produce more enzymes.

I so wish I could be more encouraging, but pancreatitis is deadly and as you already know, this is a severe case.  Sometimes the underlying cause is idiopathic - unknown.  My aunt had a mini-schnauzer who had an acute attack early in life.  She had chronic pancreatitis for the rest of her life with a handful of acute attacks thrown in.  BUT, she lived to be 18.  I'm praying for that kind of outcome for your little girl.  Do keep us posted on her progress.  :-)