Dog Health and Longevity Course Chapter 13
Pancreatitis is a common and sometimes life-threatening illness in dogs, but it can be effectively treated and prevented with natural, holistic, drug-free methods.
In the previous chapter of our Dog Health and Longevity course we wrote about the energy pathways that connect to the organs and how they affect organ function. If you missed this chapter you can find out more here. here.
How does the pancreas function?
The pancreas is both an exocrine (enzyme) and an endocrine (hormonal) organ.
Pancreatic juice contains enzymes that digest all three major foods: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Pancreatic juice contains the enzymes trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, amylase, and lipase. It also contains sodium bicarbonate, which plays an important role in neutralizing the acidic stomach contents as they are emptied into the small intestine.
The pancreas produces three hormones:
- Glucagon increases blood sugar levels.
- Insulin lowers blood sugar levels.
- Somatostatin inhibits the secretion of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland and gastrin from the stomach.
Causes of pancreatitis
From a holistic perspective, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is caused by multiple factors. However, this condition is more common in dogs fed processed dog foods.
Anatomically, dogs are designed to digest meat, bones, organs and some plant matter. Nature never intended for dogs to eat a highly processed, grain-based diet. Processed foods put a strain on the pancreas And it causes inflammation.
Inflammation can cause premature activation of digestive enzymes and trigger a process of “autodigestion” in the pancreas, which can result in pancreatic enzymes leaking into the abdominal cavity and damaging the abdominal wall and other organs. Pancreatitis is a serious, often life-threatening, illness that needs to be taken seriously.
Symptoms
Acute pancreatitis In the most severe form, onset is relatively sudden. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (with or without), signs of lethargy, dehydration, and the abdomen may become hard and sensitive to the touch, especially the front of the abdomen. The pancreas has a close relationship with the stomach and is located in the same place.
Chronic pancreatitis In many cases, no symptoms will appear – the only sign will be a slight elevation in pancreatic enzymes.
diagnosis
The best way to confirm a dog’s diagnosis is with a blood test consisting of a CBC, chemistry panel, and pancreatic-specific enzyme tests such as lipase. New tests have been introduced in recent years. Canine specific lipase, This is usually done separately and is much more reliable than a simple lipase level. Ultrasound and/or x-rays can help confirm the diagnosis and also help rule out other causes of vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Over the years, I have seen many dogs misdiagnosed with pancreatitis, especially very healthy animals who are eating a natural diet. These dogs tend to have healthy high levels of pancreatic enzymes and do not suffer from pancreatitis. The reason for this is: Veterinary laboratories use reference values for “normal” for animals eating processed foods, and there is little understanding of normal values for dogs fed a raw food diet.
The pancreas and energy flow
Injury causing congestion of energy flow at the thoracic-lumbar junction Although less well known, it is a very common cause of pancreatitis. The area where the thoracic vertebrae transition into the lumbar vertebrae provides energy to the stomach and pancreas. If this area becomes damaged or congested, it weakens the pancreas, increasing the chances of pancreatitis.
To determine if there is a problem at the stomach-pancreas point, palpate along the area of the spine where the last rib begins for signs of blocked energy flow, such as increased sensitivity, heat, or muscle pain. This area is commonly associated with pancreatitis and Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, or Stomach Bloat, in Dogs.
Other possible causes of pancreatitis
of Ingesting garbage or eating large amounts of irritating foods It can also cause pancreatitis. Some people say that a high-fat diet can cause pancreatitis, but I think carbohydrates, mainly grains, are a more common culprit.
Mineral and nutrient deficiencies is a common, yet often underestimated, cause: without essential minerals and other nutrients, no organ can function properly, and the pancreas is no exception.
In general, processed foods are of very low quality and nutritional deficiencies are very common. We live in a time when the soil is being depleted of minerals because it has been overused and nutrients are not being put back into the soil.
Without minerals, the pancreas cannot function and the body cannot heal.
Treatment of pancreatitis
Treatment of pancreatitis involves the following steps:
- Avoid processed foods as they are not suitable for your dog’s breed and are actually a major cause of pancreatitis. Learn how to feed your dog a healthy, whole food diet.
- Detox, Cleanse, Nourish Green Min.
- Providing the highest quality certified organic multivitamin – Soul Food.
- Use a probiotic formula made specifically for dogs – Guts Sense.
- Take FeelGood Omega, an essential fatty acid supplement.
- Treats back muscle tension and injuries to the thoracic-lumbar junction. Ideally, you should see a chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopath, or experienced massage therapist monthly. Repeated treatment is important.
- In cases of acute pancreatitis, your dog should be fasted for at least 48 hours to allow the pancreas to rest – most dogs can fast for much longer than two days. After the fast, feed your dog a 50/50 mix of pumpkin or squash and lean meat, followed by a raw or cooked diet.
FAQ
Is IV therapy necessary?
Although most textbooks recommend complete fluid withdrawal, we found that if the pancreatitis is moderate, the above steps are sufficient and fluid restriction or intravenous therapy is not necessary.
Your vet may state that the situation is serious and that you can’t go wrong with IV therapy. If you agree to this treatment, you should insist on 24/7 monitoring of your dog, because there are still clinics out there that leave inpatients unattended overnight, which is unacceptable in my opinion.
Are antibiotics necessary?
As we have said before, the most important aspect of treating any illness is to eliminate what the body does not need and provide it with what it needs.
As far as I know, pancreatitis is not caused by a lack of antibiotics. Antibiotics are toxic substances that kill bacteria when necessary, but are also toxic to the human body, including the pancreas. During an attack of pancreatitis, the additional toxic load can negatively affect the outcome of treatment. Pancreatitis is not caused by bacteria.
Some argue that antibiotics should be used to prevent secondary sepsis and the spread of bacteria. I believe antibiotics have the most detrimental effect on the outcome of pancreatitis since our goal should be to cleanse and support, not add toxins to the body.
What about Metacam?
Steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs like Metacam put the body’s natural defenses to sleep, significantly inhibiting the body’s ability to heal. It’s no different from taking a sleeping pill when you find out your house is on fire. I think more dogs with pancreatitis could be saved if they didn’t get poisoned during treatment.
Are low protein diets good for you?
In my opinion, a diet that contains high quality protein is much better for dogs suffering from pancreatitis than a starch, rice or grain based diet. Low protein diets are not recommended.
How about low fat?
Low-fat meats are recommended for dogs with pancreatitis. Chicken, turkey, rabbit, and eggs are good examples of low-fat foods. Fatty meats such as duck and lamb are not recommended. Also, red meats from large animals (beef, buffalo, bison) are not recommended for dogs with pancreatitis.
We hope this article will answer many questions and, above all, save many dogs’ lives. Thank you for sharing this article with others.
If you would like to learn more about natural treatment and prevention of pancreatitis, click the link below to watch our Facebook Live presentation.
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© Dr. Peter Dobias, Veterinarian
