Chronic pancreatitis in dogs: A retrospective study of clinical, clinicopathological, and histopathological findings in 61 cases

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to characterize the clinical, clinicopathologic, and histopathologic findings of dogs with chronic pancreatitis. The necropsy database at Texas A&M University was searched for reports of dogs with histologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis defined as irreversible histologic changes of the pancreas, i.e. fibrosis and atrophy. Medical records and necropsy reports were retrieved and reviewed. A reference necropsy population of 100 randomly selected dogs was used for signalment and concurrent disease comparisons. Cases were categorized as clinical or incidental chronic pancreatitis based on the presence of vomiting, decreased appetite, or both versus neither of these signs. All archived pancreata samples were evaluated histologically and scored using a published pancreatic scoring system. A total of 61 dogs with chronic pancreatitis were included in the study. The most frequent clinical signs were lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Compared to the reference necropsy population, chronic pancreatitis cases were more likely to be older, neutered, and of the non-sporting/toy breed group and to have concurrent endocrine, hepatobiliary, or neurologic diseases. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases had significantly higher histological scores for pancreatic necrosis and peripancreatic fat necrosis. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases were significantly more likely to have hepatobiliary or endocrine disease as well as increased liver enzyme activities, and cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations. In conclusion, clinical disease resulting from chronic pancreatitis might be related to the presence of pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic fat necrosis. The signalment, presentation, and concurrent diseases of dogs with chronic pancreatitis are similar to those previously reported for dogs with acute pancreatitis.

Prevalence of pancreatic, hepatic and renal microscopic lesions in post‐mortem samples from cavalier King Charles spaniels

“…This may be because the clinical signs were very intermittent, interpreted to represent an alternative disease or because the clinical signs were genuinely so subtle. However, chronic pancreatitis is known to be an important cause of chronic pain in dogs (Watson et al 2010a ;Bostrom et al 2013 ) and in humans (Bouwense et al 2013 ). The pain in humans results in a significant upregulation of central nociception, which is more marked in association with more severe lesions (Bouwense et al 2013 ).…”

ANIMAL MODELS OF DISEASE: Classification and etiology of diabetes in dogs and cats

“…Diabetes may occur secondary to disorders of the exocrine pancreas and any process that diffusely injures the pancreas can cause diabetes, most notably pancreatitis. The incidence of histologically identifiable often severe pancreatitis in diabetic dogs is 30-40% and is believed to be a contributing factor in the development of diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis in affected dogs (Watson et al 2010, Bostrom et al 2013. The cause and effect relationship of pancreatitis and diabetes in cats is difficult to define.…”

Canine Diabetes Mellitus

“…Clinically, pancreatitis is often seen in dogs with diabetes mellitus and has been suggested as a cause of diabetes after destruction of the islets (Watson et al, 2010;Bostrom et al, 2013). However, the incidence of histologically identifiable pancreatitis in diabetic dogs is only 30% to 40%.…”