What Causes Dog Pancreatitis

1 Causes of Dog Pancreatitis

1. Too much high-fat food: pancreatitis is often blamed on a high-fat diet, though no firm science proves it — sled dogs eat up to 60% fat without pancreatitis, but older, obese, inactive dogs easily get it from excess fat. Many commercial dog foods are already high in fat. Both sudden acute and slow chronic pancreatitis are harmful.

2. Frequent human-food feeding: at holidays, owners share rich leftovers high in fat and salt, which dogs should not eat — a main reason pancreatitis rises after holidays.

3. Obesity: most affected dogs are middle-aged, overweight, and inactive.

4. Genetics: herding breeds with immune defects are prone to chronic pancreatitis; collies and boxers too; dachshunds are more likely to get acute pancreatitis. Many breeds are affected by genetics.

5. Drug irritation: all medicine has side effects — large amounts of antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, or acetaminophen can damage the pancreas and cause pancreatitis.

6. Toxins: accidental ingestion of insecticides, disinfectants, or other poisons.

7. Other diseases: diabetes, hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia, and similar can trigger pancreatitis.

8. Other causes: impact, intestinal blockage, bacterial or viral infection, pancreatic-duct obstruction, or intestinal contents flowing back into the pancreatic duct.