As a pet parent, our utmost duty is to ensure our pet’s safety and health at all times. As our beloved pets get older, their health naturally begins to deteriorate, a bit like us in that aspect! While they are only around for a part of our lives, we are present for their entire lives, so of course, we want to make sure they are as okay as possible always. So, what do you do if you are faced with the unfortunate position that your dog has Pancreatitis? If you are sadly in this position, we have a helpful guide below of things you will need to know when treating and managing Pancreatitis in your beloved pet. Read on for more!
What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the Pancreas, an organ that sits close to the stomach and helps with digestion. Unfortunately, if your dog has got Pancreatitis, the symptoms range from mild to severe, with the most common including vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Your dog will be at a higher risk of developing Pancreatitis if they are on a poor diet and obese, if they are unwell generally, if they have recently had some sort of surgery, and if they have recently consumed a high-fat food item.
Below we have detailed two parts to the guide; how to treat Pancreatitis if it is discovered that that is what your dog is experiencing and the ways to manage the condition following recovery. If you are incredibly concerned about your dog’s health, it should be noted to seek assistance from a professional.
Treating Pancreatitis
There are several ways detailed online of what best practices to take to treat Pancreatitis successfully. For mild symptoms, you should be able to pick up some pain relief from your local veterinary surgery, but for more severe symptoms, there is the risk that your dog might need some treatment at the surgery. Whether your dog is experiencing one, a few, or none of the symptoms associated with Pancreatitis, you know your dog the absolute best. If there is something that you are concerned about, get them checked out as soon as possible. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be sure, especially when it comes to the safety and health of your beloved dog.
Changing Your Dog’s Diet
Changing your dog’s diet is one way to treat Pancreatitis and ensure that it does not come back in the future. Opting for low-fat options is the best choice to make while restricting the number of fatty foods and treats you give them. Avoiding treats like cheese and pork and replacing them with something like pieces of chicken breast and carrot are great ways to ensure that you are minimizing the risk of your dog developing Pancreatitis and to treat the symptoms. Giving your dog food that is easier for them to digest will alleviate the pressure on their Pancreas.
There are several low-fat food options available on the market, including options specifically created to help dogs with Pancreatitis. If you are in the position where you need to pick up Pancreatitis-specific food, consider checking out Bella and Duke’s dog food for Pancreatitis. Considered one of the best dog food for Pancreatitis in the UK, the low-fat options complement your dog’s digestive system and ensure that they stay fit and healthy. To find out more about the available food options and to discover more about the ways that it will help your dog, head to their website.
Medicating the Symptoms
If your dog is sadly experiencing some vomiting symptoms, a trip to the vets will undoubtedly be on the cards sooner rather than later. Getting your beloved pet addressed with professional care will ensure that the symptoms do not progress and that your dog does not deteriorate even further. Anti-sickness medication – and in some cases, an IV – will be administered to prevent your dog from becoming dehydrated from vomiting. Naturally, as a devoted pet parent who knows their dog exceptionally well, you would notice something wrong with your dog before symptoms progressed this far, especially if they are going off their food or standing in ways that would hint at some abdominal pain.
Plenty of Rest
Sleeping and resting aplenty when unwell certainly seems like the magic cure most of the time, and the same goes for your pet. When they have received their treatment and are consuming pain killers and anti-sickness medications alike, you will want to make sure that they are getting as much rest as they possibly can prior to letting them run around the local park! Not to mention, you can receive endless dog cuddles at this stage of their recovery, which we are confident you will both appreciate immensely!
Managing and Preventing Recurrent Pancreatitis
When your dog has made their recovery from Pancreatitis and is home from the veterinary surgery, there are some things that you will have to do to make sure that their further recovery is as comfortable as possible.
Food Options
As mentioned previously, making sure that you are giving your pet the right food and nutrients will ensure that they are as healthy as possible and minimize the risk of them getting Pancreatitis and other illnesses in the future. If you are in the position where your dog has not had Pancreatitis and you are instead putting measures in place to prevent it from happening, making changes sooner rather than later will lessen the cost of the treatments over time. Naturally, as a pet owner, you don’t care about the price and will do whatever it takes to make your pet as comfortable as possible. However, taking the simple decision to swap to a healthier food option like the one mentioned previously is a lot cheaper than paying for an extended vet stay.
It is essential that if your dog has had a battle with Pancreatitis, that you transition them to a low-fat diet as soon as possible, for they are at risk of developing the condition again in the future. By eliminating as many of the risk factors as possible, the chances of them getting the illness are drastically reduced.
Regular Exercise
Like us humans, your dog requires regular exercise in order to stay fit and healthy and to prevent any adverse health problems from occurring. Making sure that your dog receives at least 20 minutes of exercise every day will contribute toward their overall health and keep them slim and at less of a risk of developing obesity or other related illnesses. Whether you take them for a long walk or run in the local park, or give them a run around in your garden, by ensuring that they are receiving this important exercise, you are making sure that the risk of them getting overweight is lessened.
Finally, reassure your pet regularly. While this will be an alarming time for you, this will certainly not be a walk in the park for them either! Giving them lots of attention and reassurance and ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible while recovering will ensure that they are back to normal in no time!
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