Topic of The Month- November 2004
ARE YOU KILLING YOUR PET WITH KINDNESS?
PANCREATITIS:INFLAMATION OF THE PANCREAS
 The pancreas is a vital organ which plays a key role in the digestion of food and is the primary organ responsible for regulation of blood sugar in the body. When the pancreas is diseased, it can result in a very painful and debilitating condition called acute pancreatitis. Signs of pancreatitis can vary from mild gastrointestinal upset to collapse and even death. Most animals present with common gastrointestinal signs of upset such as:
However, it must be said that these signs are not specific to pancreatitis and can be seen with many gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.
CAUSES OF PANCREATITIS The known predisposing causes include obesity, animals that eat high fat diets (especially including ham and salt), lack of excercise, hyperlipidemia, ( a common problem in Schnauzers), long term use of corticiosteriods, Cushing's Disease, clotting disorders, and trauma.
Although most cases of pancreatitis are seen after almost every holiday meal in which big meals are prepared. You should avoid feeding table scraps to pets. Not only will this cut down on the chance of them getting pancreatitis, but it will also reduce the other risks associated with eating high fat foods.
The scary thing about pancreatitis is that it can be acute and occur only once in an animals lifetime or it can become chronic and return over and over again. It can be a rapidly fatal illness or a mild attack of pain that resolves in a few hours or a day or so. It can cause tremendous side effects including shock, blood clotting disorders, heart arrythmias, liver or kidney damage and even death.
So the next time you think you're being a loving parent by giving your little one some Thanksgiving left overs, just think, you may actually be killing them with kindness!!!
-Written by Brittany Shaw
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