Pancreatitis in Dogs:
Blood Sugar Balance and Herbal Medicine
By Gary Le Mon  

Pancreatitis in dogs is an inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to organ damage if left untreated. It is therefore vital to understand the disease since early treatment can help ease the condition and prevent it from reoccurring. This crippling disease presents with several common symptoms that include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Functions of the pancreas

The pancreas, which is part of the endocrine and digestive system, produces the hormone insulin and digestive enzymes. Once the pancreas becomes inflamed, the enzymes in the digestive tract can get forced out of the pancreas and into the abdominal area, where they begin to break down fats and proteins in other organs of the body as well as the pancreas. The dog's abdomen then becomes inflamed, and pancreatitis can progress rapidly. There are two forms of pancreatitis in dogs: chronic and acute.

Chronic pancreatitis 

Chronic pancreatitis may have no recognizable symptoms, making it less severe but more difficult to detect. It takes time to develop and more commonly affects older dogs, overweight dogs, and female dogs. The condition can occur after repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis in dogs occurs suddenly and can be more severe. If the inflammation spreads, it can affect other organs in the body and become life-threatening. It is, therefore, necessary to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Common causes of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis in dogs is a somewhat common disease, although the precise causes are unknown. Some dogs, such as rough collies, German shepherds, Yorkshire terriers, cocker spaniels, and poodles, are known to be at higher risk than other breeds. Some people have blamed an injury to the middle back, and even gross over-vaccination, for triggering the condition. However, one of the more common causes is thought to be a high-carbohydrate diet.

Unlike humans, dogs get all the nutrition they need from animal protein and fat. Many people routinely feed their pets dry dog food that is about 50 percent carbohydrate. Dogs do not produce as much of the enzyme amylase as humans do, so too many carbs can put the pancreas under strain. This situation also raises the blood sugar level so that more insulin is required.

Once pancreatitis occurs, vitamin E levels drop. Vitamin E controls the excess fat in the dog's body, so feeding it table scraps and other high-fat foods will exacerbate the situation.

How to Treat Pancreatitis in Dogs

If your dog has pancreatitis, it is essential to improve its diet as soon as possible. However, before changing its menu, you must give the dog's system a 24-48-hour rest period, feeding the animal smaller meals of freshly prepared and easily digestible food, such as low-fat chicken and turkey or white fish. Once your dog's system has settled down, you can begin adding organ meats, cooked vegetables, and even probiotics into the diet. If you think your dog's pancreatitis is the result of an injury, then seek a qualified vet for treatment.

Our own Primalix Blood-Sugar Balance is a 100% natural, organic, herbal remedy especially formulated to (a) lower blood glucose levels, (b) stimulate natural insulin production, and (c) reverse insulin resistance in all breeds of dogs and cats, large and small – all without painful injections, toxic drugs or side effects.  

Prevention of pancreatitis in dogs

Feeding a diet that consists of natural raw or cooked non-processed foods appears to be the best way of keeping pancreatitis in dogs at bay. Only feed small amounts of meats that are high in fat, such as duck, lamb, and beef, and provide natural supplements, such as daily herbs and whole foods.  

It is important to remember that, apart from diet, all dogs require regular exercise to keep their bones and muscles in good shape. A fit and healthy dog is also less likely to suffer from injuries or ill health. A happy canine should hopefully provide you with many years of companionship while avoiding the crippling effects of pancreatitis and blood sugar imbalance in dogs.

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