Canine Pancreatitis: 'Unfamiliar Foods' and 'Trash Cans' Are More Dangerous Than Greasy Foods

The act of giving dogs human food such as ribs or pancakes during holidays or family gatherings can be a major cause of triggering pancreatitis. While it is common to think of 'greasy food' as the sole cause of pancreatitis, actual research results show that unfamiliar foods not usually eaten or the act of scavenging through trash cans are higher risk factors.

Unexpected Triggers of Pancreatitis: 'Unfamiliar Foods' and 'Trash Cans'

According to a video released by veterinarian Lee Se-won on the YouTube channel 'Dog Expert Man', the decisive trigger for causing pancreatitis depends on 'how different it is from the usual diet' rather than the fat content. Citing a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2008, dogs that scavenged through trash cans showed a 13.2 times higher risk, dogs that ate foods they do not usually eat showed a 6.1 times higher risk, and dogs that were fed human food showed a 2.2 times higher risk. The highest risk was shown by the act of scavenging through trash cans, because it is impossible to know what is inside the trash can.

Recent studies also stated that a consistent link between the fat content of kibble and the onset of pancreatitis has not been confirmed. Therefore, rather than simply giving lean meat with the grease removed, it is more important not to suddenly feed foods that the dog does not usually eat. In particular, holiday foods require extra caution as they are completely unfamiliar foods to dogs.

Pay Attention to 'Loss of Appetite' and 'Vomiting', Which Are More Common Early Symptoms Than Abdominal Pain

When thinking of pancreatitis, it is easy to imagine a dog curling up in pain due to abdominal discomfort, but actual clinical data differs from this. In a survey of 170 dogs with elevated pancreatic levels, the frequency of symptoms showed that loss of appetite was the highest at 62%, followed by diarrhea (53%) and vomiting (49%). Abdominal pain was only 32%, and in other studies, abdominal pain appeared at a level of 15%. In other words, it can be dangerous to judge that it is not pancreatitis just because the dog does not seem to be in pain when its belly is touched.

Veterinarian Lee Se-won advised that if ▲loss of appetite (refusing food), ▲repeated vomiting, or ▲a state of being noticeably lethargic appears within a few days after eating unfamiliar food, you should visit a hospital immediately. If a dog shows a 'prayer position,' where it keeps its front legs and chest on the floor but lifts only its hips and stays still, this can be seen as a definite sign of abdominal pain.

Checking Triglyceride Levels and Dietary Management to Prevent Recurrence

Regarding the management of pancreatitis, it is important to check the 'triglyceride' levels in the blood. This is because excessively high triglycerides can act as a toxin to pancreatic cells. In particular, Miniature Schnauzers are genetically predisposed to high triglycerides, and Yorkshire Terriers were also mentioned as a breed with a high risk of acute pancreatitis. Additionally, in cases of hormonal diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, or diabetes, triglycerides can rise secondarily, so it is recommended to check these levels during health checkups.

Pancreatitis is a disease where recurrence is very common. 71% of the surveyed患犬 (affected dogs) experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea again within the last 12 months. Repeated pancreatitis can damage pancreatic tissue, leading to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, where digestive enzymes cannot be produced, or to diabetes. To prevent this, management is required such as: ▲managing trash cans containing food waste or greasy packaging, ▲prohibiting the feeding of human food (ribs, pancakes, fried foods, japchae, etc.), and ▲feeding low-fat prescription diets if the dog has already suffered from it. In particular, green onions, garlic, and onions must be avoided as they have toxicity that breaks down a dog's red blood cells.