Acute Pancreatitis

The pancreas, while being a small organ, delivers a significant impact on digestion of food and blood sugar regulation. This key organ of digestion rests next to the small intestine as it exits from the stomach. Functionally, the pancreas is divided into two sections: 1) the larger exocrine pancreas releases digestive enzymes to breakdown fats, sugars, and proteins in the diet and 2) the smaller endocrine pancreas releases blood sugar regulating hormones. Inflammation of the pancreas causes unregulated release of digestive enzymes. The digestive enzymes begin to uncontrollably digest tissues surrounding the pancreas, creating tremendous inflammation. Dogs with pancreatitis present with vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, and abdominal pain. Common causes of pancreatitis include: high fat meals, concurrent diseases (e.g.: Cushing’s disease, hyperlipidemia), medications, abdominal trauma, and tumors. Diagnosis of pancreatitis involves a thorough history, physical examination, and specialized blood tests; an abdominal ultrasound may be needed to evaluate the area around the pancreas more closely. Treatment for this painful condition requires aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, medications to curtail vomiting, pain management, and withholding of food or water orally for 24-48 hours to rest the pancreas, and pain management.

Location

Location Hours
Monday8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday9:00am – 12:00pm
SundayClosed

Appointments are encouraged to minimize wait times. We will work in walk-ins between scheduled appointments as needed. Emergencies are not considered walk-ins.