Understanding Chronic Pancreatitis in Pets: Causes and Solutions

Has your dog or cat been struggling with frequent bouts of “loose poop"? Or perhaps you’ve noticed repeated episodes of intestinal upset? If so, your pet could be dealing with chronic pancreatitis, a condition caused by ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. This issue is often related to food, but it can also be triggered by other factors such as vaccines, stress, age, and environmental toxins.

Chronic Pancreatitis and Its Triggers

Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas remains inflamed over a long period, which can significantly affect your pet’s digestive health. Common triggers include:

• Food: Poor diet or food allergies can cause digestive issues.
• Vaccines: Some pets may react negatively to vaccinations.
• Stress: High levels of stress can trigger inflammation.
• Age: Older pets are more prone to digestive disorders.
• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to toxins can worsen the condition.

It’s important to understand that chronic pancreatitis doesn’t just affect the pancreas—it can lead to a range of digestive issues, including diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.

Support Your Pet’s Digestion with Supplements

Many pets with chronic pancreatitis respond well to digestive enzyme supplements. These supplements can help break down food more efficiently, reducing the stress on the pancreas and improving overall digestion.

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If your pet is dealing with chronic pancreatitis or other digestive issues, adding a digestive enzyme supplement to their routine could make a significant difference. And for managing pain and inflammation, our 95% Curcumin supplement is a great option that can help alleviate symptoms associated with IBD, chronic vomiting, and diarrhea.

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Understanding Pancreatic Problems and Digestion in Pets

The pancreas is a powerhouse organ that plays a crucial role in your pet’s overall health. It has two main jobs:

1. Regulating Blood Sugar
   The pancreas produces insulin, the hormone responsible for moving sugar from the bloodstream into cells to be used as energy.

2. Aiding Digestion
   The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes that help break down food so your pet can absorb nutrients. These enzymes include:

   • Lipase (breaks down fat)
   • Proteases (breaks down protein)
   • Amylase (breaks down starch)

But what happens when the pancreas isn’t functioning properly?

Common Pancreatic Disorders in Pets

Several pancreatic issues can affect pets, leading to digestion problems and other health issues. Let’s dive into the most common pancreatic disorders:

1. Pancreatitis

When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it leads to pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes life-threatening condition. Pancreatitis can be either:

• Acute (sudden onset)
• Chronic (long-term)

This condition can affect any pet, regardless of age, sex, or breed.

2. Diabetes

If the pancreas becomes too damaged and cannot produce enough insulin, pets, especially dogs, can develop Type 1 Diabetes. In cats, Type 2 Diabetes is more common, often linked to a high-carbohydrate diet that causes the cells to become resistant to insulin.

3. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

EPI occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. This condition can result in severe health issues for your pet if not addressed.

Symptoms of EPI in Dogs

A dog with EPI may eat large amounts of food yet still lose weight because their body isn’t absorbing the nutrients properly. Other symptoms include:

• Ravenous Appetite – Always hungry but losing weight
• Coprophagia (Eating Feces) or Pica (Eating Non-Food Items)
• Chronic Diarrhea – Stool may appear pale, greasy, and foul-smelling due to undigested food
• Excess Gas and Bloating
• Flaky Skin and Dull Coat

Breeds Most at Risk for EPI

While EPI can affect any breed, certain breeds are more predisposed to developing this condition. These include:

• German Shepherds (most common)
• Rough-Coated Collies
• Chow Chows
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Cairn Terriers
• Akitas
• West Highland White Terriers
• Australian Shepherds & Heelers
• Border Collies
• Shetland Sheepdogs

How is EPI Treated?

Dogs with EPI need to take digestive enzyme supplements to properly absorb nutrients. Commonly prescribed enzymes include Viokase and other veterinary formulations. Probiotics are also recommended to support gut health.

Could More Pets Benefit from Digestive Enzymes?

Something many pet owners don’t realize is that many dogs (and even humans) may have some level of digestive enzyme deficiency. Why? Because modern, processed pet foods lack the natural digestive enzymes found in raw diets.

Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM, supports this idea, stating:

“Digestive enzymes can be used for pancreatic and GI issues, but they are also beneficial for healthy pets eating heat-processed pet foods.”

Digestive Enzymes for Other Conditions

1. Chronic Pancreatitis
Pets with recurrent stomach issues may actually be suffering from chronic, undiagnosed pancreatitis. Digestive enzyme supplements can help by improving digestion and reducing inflammation in the pancreas.

2. Diabetes
Some holistic veterinarians use digestive enzymes to support diabetic pets. By improving digestion, enzymes can help stabilize blood sugar and reduce stress on the pancreas.

Bottom Line: Should Your Pet Take Digestive Enzymes?

If your pet suffers from chronic diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, or digestive distress, adding a high-quality digestive enzyme supplement could make a significant difference. Even healthy pets can benefit from better digestion and nutrient absorption, making digestive enzymes a worthy consideration for many pets.

P.S.

If you have a dog or cat with chronic GI disease, I highly recommend trying a digestive enzyme supplement. It could be a game-changer for your pet’s health.

Dr. Jones’ Complete Digestive Care Soft Chews contain all-natural ingredients. The active ingredients include an Enzyme Blend (Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Cellulase, Lactase, and Bromelain), along with a Probiotic Blend (2 Billion CFUs of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis).

P.P.S.

This 100% pure turmeric extract boasts enhanced bioavailability, being up to 700% MORE bioavailable than other curcumin supplements. It also contains BioPerine® to further boost absorption.

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