Meet Baloo, who recently visited the surgery with anorexia and vomiting. After his clinical exam further tests were needed to establish what was causing him to feel unwell. Due to our onsite laboratory we were able to run routine bloods and perform a more complex test for pancreatitis. Within minutes of the cPL test being conducted we were able to establish a positive result for severe pancreatitis.
The signs of pancreatitis are loss of appetite, sickness, diarrhoea and lethargy. They may also show signs of abdominal pain and dehydration. In milder forms, symptoms aren’t quite as obvious but may still include loss of appetite, lethargy, and diarrhoea.
The prognosis for pancreatitis depends on the severity of the disease. Mild cases may just require a change of diet, while more severe cases will need urgent aggressive treatment. If left untreated, pancreatitis may lead to severe organ damage and even sudden death. You should contact your vet straight away if your dog or puppy is showing signs of the disease.