Leftover, fatty meat scraps can produce
severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
Sadly, we see a marked spike in Pancreatitis cases around Thanksgiving, which is
a severe inflammation of the Pancreas.
In both cases,
severe inflammation of the pancreas can cause enzymes to leak into the abdominal cavity.
Not exact matches
In cases
of severe pancreas inflammation, the dog may also experience
inflammation of this organ which can cause increased levels
of liver enzymes in the blood as well.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the
pancreas, a
severe and sometimes life threatening disease often associated with eating fatty foods.
High fat diets apparently cause release
of pancreatic lipase in the microscopic circulation
of the
pancreas which digests fats in the blood causing release
of damaging fatty acids, which cause
inflammation and release
of more lipase, which eventually starts to digest the pancreatic tissue, leading to the
severe inflammation that causes the signs
of pancreatitis.
For instance, says Dr. Labato, it can be «an acquired problem after
severe pancreatitis [
inflammation of the
pancreas].»
If the
inflammation of the intestines is
severe, the neighboring liver and
pancreas may also become inflamed, resulting in increased liver enzymes and amylase (produced by the
pancreas).
The severity
of signs is often directly correlated with the degree
of inflammation in the
pancreas, ergo less
severe cases will present with less
severe clinical signs.
Pancreatitis, or
inflammation of the
pancreas, can cause these digestive enzymes to decrease, and in
severe cases the enzymes may begin to digest the actual organs
of the dog instead
of digesta.
Possible consequences are serious and include
inflammation of the
pancreas (pancreatitis), broken teeth,
severe vomiting, diarrhea, or a blockage
of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines — which would require emergency surgery.
Sometimes the
inflammation of the
pancreas is so
severe that the bile duct becomes obstructed.