Pancreatitis: chronic

Buy now to access the full article, existing subscribers login

Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Predisposing factors, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Mr James Simpson SDA BVM&S MPhil MRCVS
Dr Kenneth Simpson BVMS PhD

Introduction

  • Chronic pancreatitis in the dog is not commonly diagnosed antemortem.
  • It may develop as a sequelae to acute pancreatitis Pancreatitis: acute.
  • Cause : usually unresolved acute pancreatitis.
  • Signs : episodic signs of abdominal pain/vomiting or subclinical condition manifest as/resulting in diabetes mellitus or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
  • Diagnosis : laboratory tests, ultrasonography.
  • Treatment : acute episodes as for acute pancreatitis; dietary modification.
  • Prognosis : guarded unless underlying etiology identified and controlled.

    Print off the owner factsheet on Pancreatitis Pancreatitis to give to your client.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Anterior (cranial) abdominal pain (in acute recurrent pancreatitis, absent in sub-clinical).
  • Jaundice (if inflammation causes swelling and obstruction of bile duct).

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other causes of vomiting Vomiting.
  • Pancreatic neoplasia Pancreas: neoplasia.
  • Other causes of:
    • Abdominal pain.
    • Chronic diarrhea.
    • Reduced weight.
    • Polyuria/polydipsia.
    • Jaundice if present.
  • Intestinal foreign body Intestine: linear foreign bodies.
  • Bilious vomiting syndrome Gastroduodenal reflux.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Fair if underlying cause identified and managed.
  • Relapses still likely in spite of all efforts.

Expected response to treatment

  • Cessation of vomiting on therapy.
  • Improving demeanor, appetite and weight gain.
  • Diabetes and EPI are unlikely to resolve once established.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Underlying disease not addressed.
  • Severity of pancreatic damage → diabetes mellitus or EPI.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from PubMed.
  • Mansfield C S & Jones B R (2000) Plasma and urinary trypsinogen activation peptide in healthy dogs, dogs with pancreatitis and dogs with other systemic diseases. Aust Vet J 78 , 416-422.

Sample content only, to unlock the full article login or buy now

Loading...