Just as with humans, dogs tend to overeat on holidays because WE overfeed them or we feed them things they love but shouldn't have.
After consuming a hearty Christmas lunch, it's not uncommon for dogs to develop a temporary ailment known as pancreatitis . The pancreas is part of the digestive system, and produces enzymes which travel down a small duct into the small intestine. There it is involved in digesting food. The pancreas also produces insulin, which is important in glucose regulation. The exact cause of pancreatitis isn't known but it can often develop after a meal with a high fat content, such as ham or gravy. Dogs that are obese seem to be predisposed to pancreatitis, and again, the reason for this isn't known.
Though the cause of pancreatitis isn't known, we do know it's effect; when a dog develops pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes are activated before they should be, and start to digest the pancreas itself.
Symptoms of pancreatitis are vague. Dogs are usually depressed and restless, with a severe tummy ache. However, dogs may just have a bit of a fever and appear otherwise normal. The problem with this condition is that the severity of the symptoms doesn’t always correlate to the severity of the illness. Dogs have died of pancreatitis while showing virtually no sign of being unwell.
If you suspect your dog has pancreatitis, see your veterinarian as soon as you can. Treatment involves fluids, pain relief and often antibiotics. He may have to stay in hospital for several days. It can be fatal, so don't waste time.
To protect your dog, don't feed fatty table scraps, stick to his regular diet, and tell your visiting family and friends that your veterinarian forbids table scraps and leftovers.
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