Occurrence, clinical features and outcome of canine pancreatitis (80 cases)

Abstract

Medical records of 80 dogs diagnosed with acute pancreatitis during a 4-year period were evaluated regarding history, breed predilection, clinical signs and additional examination findings. Cases were selected if compatible clinical symptoms, increased serum activity of amylase or lipase and morphologic evidence of pancreatitis by ultrasonography, laparotomy or necropsy were all present. Like in other studies, neutered dogs had an increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis. Although breed predilection was consistent with earlier reports, some notable differences were also observed. Apart from Dachshunds, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and Fox Terriers, the sled dogs (Laikas, Alaskan Malamutes) also demonstrated a higher risk for pancreatitis according to our results. Concurrent diseases occurred in 56 dogs (70%), diabetes mellitus (n = 29, 36%) being the most common. Clinical signs of acute pancreatitis were similar to those observed in other studies. The study group represented a dog population with severe acute pancreatitis, having a relatively high mortality rate (40%) compared to data of the literature. Breed, age, gender, neutering and body condition had no significant association with the outcome. Hypothermia (p = 0.0413) and metabolic acidosis (p = 0.0063) correlated significantly with poor prognosis and may serve as valuable markers for severity assessment in canine acute pancreatitis.

Clinical Utility of Diagnostic Laboratory Tests in Dogs with Acute Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Investigation in a Primary Care Hospital

“…Severe pancreatitis in dogs has been reported to be associated with thrombocytopenia, hypovolemia due to dehydration, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, azotemia, and increased activities of hepatic enzymes and concentrations of CRP . However, these variables were not significantly different between the NP and AP groups in our study, indicating that these variables were not useful in the diagnosis of AP.…”

“…Acute pancreatitis (AP) frequently is diagnosed in dogs presenting with acute nonspecific clinical signs such as anorexia, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, and abdominal pain . Observed systemic clinical signs such as fever, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular shock also can be attributed to AP.…”

“…Many dogs with AP and nonspecific clinical signs are diagnosed in primary care hospitals. Nevertheless, most previous studies examining the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory tests for AP have used data from secondary care hospitals . This study therefore investigated the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory tests for AP used in a primary care hospital.…”

Serum Adipokine Concentrations in Dogs with Acute Pancreatitis

“…Acute pancreatitis (AP) is defined as an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas with variable involvement of possible peripancreatic tissue or remote organ systems . It is widely accepted that pancreatic inflammation is relatively common, but its exact incidence in dogs is unknown because many dogs have subclinical or mild disease . However, AP can develop into a severe form, which is associated with local and systemic complications, and the reported mortality rate of AP is high, ranging from 27 to 58% .…”

“…It is widely accepted that pancreatic inflammation is relatively common, but its exact incidence in dogs is unknown because many dogs have subclinical or mild disease . However, AP can develop into a severe form, which is associated with local and systemic complications, and the reported mortality rate of AP is high, ranging from 27 to 58% . In human medicine, it is well known that obesity is a definitive risk factor for the development of local and systemic complications in AP and increases the likelihood of mortality rate with this disease .…”