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Pancreatitis is a common problem in dogs with little common knowledge. Pancreatitis literally means inflammation of the pancreas. The most common sign seen is vomiting. Of course, all dogs occasionally vomit, but vomiting caused from pancreatitis is excessive, up to every 20 minutes. Other clinical signs include inappetence, a painful abdomen, and diarrhea. Most of the time pancreatitis is caused from ingesting a high fat food or treat, especially table treats. Sometimes even the smallest snack that usually is okay can be the causative agent; sometimes it can be caused by a tumor; and sometimes a cause cannot be found.
Diagnosing pancreatitis can often be difficult since vomiting is a nonspecific sign of disease, and there are many possible causes, not just pancreatitis; therefore, an arsenal of tests is usually needed. Abdominal radiographs, blood work, and an abdominal ultrasound are used to create a total body picture. Amylase and lipase are two pancreatic enzymes that can be measured in the blood. Elevations of these usually mean pancreatitis; however pancreatitis can be present with normal levels of these enzymes. That’s where the radiographs and ultrasound help to complete the clinical picture and lead to the diagnosis. Ultrasound is the most sensitive test, but it is also the most expensive. The most specific test is the canine PLI (pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity). This is another blood test; however, only one lab in the country currently performs this and the results are not back for approximately 7 to 10 days. Usually the affected patient is better by the time the results are back, so the test just confirms the diagnosis.
Most of the time, pancreatitis can be treated medically, requiring hospitalization, intravenous fluids, injectable medications, and fasting for one to five days. Occasionally, the pancreatitis is so severe that the pancreatic enzymes that normally aid in digestion leak out into the abdominal cavity, causing severe inflammation that cannot be controlled, and death can occur.
So, the next time you’re at the dinner table, and those big brown eyes are sadly begging for a treat, remember high fat treats, especially meat or meat with fat, can really cause a major illness. So instead of that meat, offer some vegetables such as carrots or green beans. As long as you’re enthusiastic and this treat is from the table, most dogs will be content.
Diagnosing pancreatitis can often be difficult since vomiting is a nonspecific sign of disease, and there are many possible causes, not just pancreatitis; therefore, an arsenal of tests is usually needed. Abdominal radiographs, blood work, and an abdominal ultrasound are used to create a total body picture. Amylase and lipase are two pancreatic enzymes that can be measured in the blood. Elevations of these usually mean pancreatitis; however pancreatitis can be present with normal levels of these enzymes. That’s where the radiographs and ultrasound help to complete the clinical picture and lead to the diagnosis. Ultrasound is the most sensitive test, but it is also the most expensive. The most specific test is the canine PLI (pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity). This is another blood test; however, only one lab in the country currently performs this and the results are not back for approximately 7 to 10 days. Usually the affected patient is better by the time the results are back, so the test just confirms the diagnosis.
Most of the time, pancreatitis can be treated medically, requiring hospitalization, intravenous fluids, injectable medications, and fasting for one to five days. Occasionally, the pancreatitis is so severe that the pancreatic enzymes that normally aid in digestion leak out into the abdominal cavity, causing severe inflammation that cannot be controlled, and death can occur.
So, the next time you’re at the dinner table, and those big brown eyes are sadly begging for a treat, remember high fat treats, especially meat or meat with fat, can really cause a major illness. So instead of that meat, offer some vegetables such as carrots or green beans. As long as you’re enthusiastic and this treat is from the table, most dogs will be content.
Please choose from the following topics:
Pancreatitis in Dogs • Heartworm • Second-Hand Smoke • Giardia
Pancreatitis in Dogs • Heartworm • Second-Hand Smoke • Giardia
by Dr. Cheryl Adams
A survey by the American Heartworm Society found that at least 250,000 dogs and cats tested positive for heartworm infection in 2000. Yet a survey by Gallo has shown that the use of heartworm preventative is actually declining in the US: 55% of dog owning households were using some kind of heartworm preventative in 2001 compared to 66% in 1998. Reported cases of heartworm were highest in Texas and the Southeast, but heartworm cases are found in all 50 states and in nearly every country.
This quote prompted me to discuss heartworm further: "The cause of heartworm is Dirofilaria immitis - the immediate host is the female mosquito." I am sure we all are at least somewhat familiar with heartworm. Because we don't see acute heartworm infections every day, since we have a good variety of preventatives, and since our pets are better confined, I think we get careless about testing and remembering to give preventative.
One big problem is that we see no signs of heartworm infection for 6-9 months after an infected mosquito bite.
Infection rates up to 45% reportedly occur within 150 miles of the Atlantic coast from Texas to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and it's tributaries. Most of the rest of the U.S. and southern Canada have infection rates up to 5%. Heartworm infection is spread throughout much of the tropical world. Male dogs are more frequently infected than female dogs because of their lifestyle. In endemic areas, dogs as young as one year of age are infected whereas in most areas, dogs are diagnosed between 3-15 years. Dogs housed outside are 4-5 times more likely to be infected than indoor dogs. The haircoat does not make much difference. German Shepherds, English Pointers, Setters, Retrievers and Beagles are most commonly infected. Boxers have an unusually high incidence.
Heartworm infection is spread by many species of mosquitos. Female mosquitos obtain a blood meal from an infected dog with circulating microfilaria. The microfilaria become infective inside the mosquito and are capable of infecting another dog within 10-14 days. The microfilaria enter the skin and migrate through body tissues for the next 100 days. The young adult heartworms travel to the small pulmonary arteries. Approximately six months after entering their new host, baby worms (microfilaria) appear in the blood. The microfilaria increase markedly over the next six months.
Disease severity and onset are partially a reflection of the number of adult heartworms. Until the heartworm number exceeds 25 in a 25 pound dog, nearly all reside in the caudal pulmonary arteries. As infestation increases, this spreads to the right heart and vena cava. As soon as adult heartworms appear in arteries there are changes in the artery wall and there is early pulmonary obstruction. The signs are weakness, fatigue and a cough. An animal can be infected for a long period of time before signs of illness appear.
We have very effective tests that demonstrate the microfilaria and a radiograph of the chest can show early heart and pulmonary changes. Treatment for an infected dog, if diagnosed early, is fairly safe and effective. Post treatment activity needs to be curtailed. Testing and continuing treatments are also needed.
Occult heartworm disease is the presence of adult heartworms with the absence of microfilaria. This may be an immune mediated problem but severe pulmonary infection is more likely to result from the occult form.
Cats can also become infected with heartworm. In cats, heartworm can be suddenly fatal or may be self-limiting. No safe treatment exists for cats.
I would like to stress the importance of yearly testing, and in our climate, year round preventative. Along with the monthly preventatives, we now have Proheart, an injectable preventative which has proven to be very effective and is given every 6 months. It is clear that it is far safer to prevent heartworm than treat it.
This quote prompted me to discuss heartworm further: "The cause of heartworm is Dirofilaria immitis - the immediate host is the female mosquito." I am sure we all are at least somewhat familiar with heartworm. Because we don't see acute heartworm infections every day, since we have a good variety of preventatives, and since our pets are better confined, I think we get careless about testing and remembering to give preventative.
One big problem is that we see no signs of heartworm infection for 6-9 months after an infected mosquito bite.
Infection rates up to 45% reportedly occur within 150 miles of the Atlantic coast from Texas to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and it's tributaries. Most of the rest of the U.S. and southern Canada have infection rates up to 5%. Heartworm infection is spread throughout much of the tropical world. Male dogs are more frequently infected than female dogs because of their lifestyle. In endemic areas, dogs as young as one year of age are infected whereas in most areas, dogs are diagnosed between 3-15 years. Dogs housed outside are 4-5 times more likely to be infected than indoor dogs. The haircoat does not make much difference. German Shepherds, English Pointers, Setters, Retrievers and Beagles are most commonly infected. Boxers have an unusually high incidence.
Heartworm infection is spread by many species of mosquitos. Female mosquitos obtain a blood meal from an infected dog with circulating microfilaria. The microfilaria become infective inside the mosquito and are capable of infecting another dog within 10-14 days. The microfilaria enter the skin and migrate through body tissues for the next 100 days. The young adult heartworms travel to the small pulmonary arteries. Approximately six months after entering their new host, baby worms (microfilaria) appear in the blood. The microfilaria increase markedly over the next six months.
Disease severity and onset are partially a reflection of the number of adult heartworms. Until the heartworm number exceeds 25 in a 25 pound dog, nearly all reside in the caudal pulmonary arteries. As infestation increases, this spreads to the right heart and vena cava. As soon as adult heartworms appear in arteries there are changes in the artery wall and there is early pulmonary obstruction. The signs are weakness, fatigue and a cough. An animal can be infected for a long period of time before signs of illness appear.
We have very effective tests that demonstrate the microfilaria and a radiograph of the chest can show early heart and pulmonary changes. Treatment for an infected dog, if diagnosed early, is fairly safe and effective. Post treatment activity needs to be curtailed. Testing and continuing treatments are also needed.
Occult heartworm disease is the presence of adult heartworms with the absence of microfilaria. This may be an immune mediated problem but severe pulmonary infection is more likely to result from the occult form.
Cats can also become infected with heartworm. In cats, heartworm can be suddenly fatal or may be self-limiting. No safe treatment exists for cats.
I would like to stress the importance of yearly testing, and in our climate, year round preventative. Along with the monthly preventatives, we now have Proheart, an injectable preventative which has proven to be very effective and is given every 6 months. It is clear that it is far safer to prevent heartworm than treat it.
An interesting article from Veterinary Forum magazine relates some research on second-hand smoke in cats. Researchers at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study of 180 cats treated at the school from 1993-2000.
Cats that lived with one smoker had 1.9 times the rate of lymphoma over non-smokers.
Cats that lived with two or more smokers had 4.1 times the rate and those that were exposed to one smoker for more than five years had 3.2 times the rate.
Indoor cats face continous exposure and are at a disadvantage. Cats also get particular toxins from the haircoat and household surfaces when licking.
The problem is somewhat similar in young children who are in the house almost all of the time. They also cannot get away from continuous exposure.
Cats that lived with one smoker had 1.9 times the rate of lymphoma over non-smokers.
Cats that lived with two or more smokers had 4.1 times the rate and those that were exposed to one smoker for more than five years had 3.2 times the rate.
Indoor cats face continous exposure and are at a disadvantage. Cats also get particular toxins from the haircoat and household surfaces when licking.
The problem is somewhat similar in young children who are in the house almost all of the time. They also cannot get away from continuous exposure.
Giardia is a flagellate protozoan parasite that infects many mammals. It is grouped into a single species, Giardia intestinalis.
Giardia is a common cause of diarrhea that is often overlooked in a differential diagnosis. Giardia is common down here because of the climate. It grows best in warm, moist surroundings and standing water. The reason for its importance is that humans commonly get giardia. Dogs and cats can be carriers without showing signs of infection. They pass cysts, which are immediately infective. The most common route of infection is stool to mouth. Contaminated water is another common route. In the intestine, the cyst breaks open and releases two trophozoites to initiate infection. If left in a contaminated environment, a dog or cat can continually reinfect themselves. Surveys throughout the world have found infection rates of 1-39% in dogs and cats. Many animals did not show signs in these studies and younger animals have a higher rate of infection. Because there are so many carriers showing no signs, giardia may be a zoonotic threat. For this reason, children and immunocompromised adults should not handle the feces of infected animals. The feces should be disposed of promptly and hand thoroughly washed. Animal strains may be more infective to humans than vice-versa.
The trophozoites adhere to intestinal walls and divide to produce a large population. They begin to interfere with the absorption of food and then cyst production. Typical signs are diarrhea, mucus in the feces and sometimes there is straining. Usually the blood picture is normal, but there may be an increase in eosinophils. Without treatment, this condition may continue chronically or intermittently for weeks or months.
Diagnosis is based on elimination of other causes of diarrhea and demonstrating the cysts in fecal samples. One sample is 70% accurate in diagnosing infection, so more than one sample should be run.
There are a number of drugs that can be used as treatment, such as Fenbendazole, Albendazole and Metronidazole. Of course, controlling the environment is very important to avoid reinfection. If you have more than one pet, it is wise to treat them all at once. If a disinfectant is used to clean an area, quaternary ammonium compounds at the manufacturer's dilution have been found to be effective.
Animals can pass the cysts in small numbers even after all treatments and exams have been completed. It is important that thorough cleaning and disinfection is maintained and careful check is kept on the condition of all animals.
There is a vaccine that is effective in dogs and cats, that now is being used in endemic areas routinely. It has been used for over a year and appears to be very effective.
Lat spring the Herald Tribune reported that giardia and crytosporidium are both commonly found in reclaimed water.
A case we had about the same time involved a cat with chronic diarrhea. We diagnosed giardia. The owners had recently put in a well. The well was tested and contained giardia. The owner developed giardia at about the same time. We have seen several similar cases since then. Standing water, whether from rains or watering lawns and flowers, can often be a problem.
Giardia is a common cause of diarrhea that is often overlooked in a differential diagnosis. Giardia is common down here because of the climate. It grows best in warm, moist surroundings and standing water. The reason for its importance is that humans commonly get giardia. Dogs and cats can be carriers without showing signs of infection. They pass cysts, which are immediately infective. The most common route of infection is stool to mouth. Contaminated water is another common route. In the intestine, the cyst breaks open and releases two trophozoites to initiate infection. If left in a contaminated environment, a dog or cat can continually reinfect themselves. Surveys throughout the world have found infection rates of 1-39% in dogs and cats. Many animals did not show signs in these studies and younger animals have a higher rate of infection. Because there are so many carriers showing no signs, giardia may be a zoonotic threat. For this reason, children and immunocompromised adults should not handle the feces of infected animals. The feces should be disposed of promptly and hand thoroughly washed. Animal strains may be more infective to humans than vice-versa.
The trophozoites adhere to intestinal walls and divide to produce a large population. They begin to interfere with the absorption of food and then cyst production. Typical signs are diarrhea, mucus in the feces and sometimes there is straining. Usually the blood picture is normal, but there may be an increase in eosinophils. Without treatment, this condition may continue chronically or intermittently for weeks or months.
Diagnosis is based on elimination of other causes of diarrhea and demonstrating the cysts in fecal samples. One sample is 70% accurate in diagnosing infection, so more than one sample should be run.
There are a number of drugs that can be used as treatment, such as Fenbendazole, Albendazole and Metronidazole. Of course, controlling the environment is very important to avoid reinfection. If you have more than one pet, it is wise to treat them all at once. If a disinfectant is used to clean an area, quaternary ammonium compounds at the manufacturer's dilution have been found to be effective.
Animals can pass the cysts in small numbers even after all treatments and exams have been completed. It is important that thorough cleaning and disinfection is maintained and careful check is kept on the condition of all animals.
There is a vaccine that is effective in dogs and cats, that now is being used in endemic areas routinely. It has been used for over a year and appears to be very effective.
Lat spring the Herald Tribune reported that giardia and crytosporidium are both commonly found in reclaimed water.
A case we had about the same time involved a cat with chronic diarrhea. We diagnosed giardia. The owners had recently put in a well. The well was tested and contained giardia. The owner developed giardia at about the same time. We have seen several similar cases since then. Standing water, whether from rains or watering lawns and flowers, can often be a problem.
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