Dogs · Question
What is the term for inflammation of the pancreas in dogs?
Answer
Pancreatitis
The story behind the answer
Pancreatitis is the correct term because “-itis” means inflammation, and “pancrea-” refers to the pancreas. The other options name inflammation of different organs: gastritis (stomach), hepatitis (liver), and enteritis (intestines).
In dogs, pancreatitis often follows a high-fat meal or occurs in predisposed breeds (like Miniature Schnauzers) or overweight, middle-aged dogs. Digestive enzymes activate too early, causing the pancreas to “digest itself,” leading to vomiting, abdominal pain, a “prayer position,” and lethargy. Treatment is supportive and usually includes