What is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is a major body organ locate in the abdomen that serves two major purposes

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  Produces enzymes that aid in the digestion of fat in the diet.

  
  
   
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  Produces insulin needed to control the blood glucose level.

  
  
   

What is Pancreatitis ?

Pancreatitis occurs when damage to the pancreas allows leakage of pancreatic digestive enzymes into the tissue of the pancreas. The enzymes begin to self digest the pancreas causing inflammatory reaction.  The severity of pancreatitis relates to the degree of inflammation. Some dogs with mild pancreatitis only have minimal belly (abdominal) pain while others with severe pancreatitis have major pain,vomiting and even bloody stools. Ina few cases pancreatitis become life threatening ending in death Other organs may be damage by pancreatitis especially in severe cases. Organs often affected are the

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  Liver

  
  
   
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  Kidneys

  
  
   
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  Heart

  
  
   
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  The insulin producing portion of the pancreas

  
  
   

What causes Pancreatitis?

The causes of the pancreatitis are variable but include trauma, stress,drugs and diets. Other contributing factors, but not required to be present include obesity,breed of dog,lack of exercise and age. By far the number one cause appears to be diets containing fat fed from the table. Diets rich in fat overloads the pancreas and the process of self digestion begins. The amount of fat that each dog can handle is variable. Some dogs will have pancreatitis the first time they are fed a high fat diet. Other seem to be able to tolerate improper diet for a period, even a long of time sometimes, before they suddenly develop pancreatitis. Due to the serious nature of pancreatitis the best solution is prevention. Avoid the temptation of feeding your dog table food and high fat treats even around the holidays.

Owen Fisk