{"id":11579,"date":"2016-08-29T19:28:04","date_gmt":"2016-08-29T19:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\/?p=11579"},"modified":"2022-02-17T21:48:50","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T21:48:50","slug":"diagnosis-treatmenta-case-canine-acute-pancreatitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/diagnosis-treatmenta-case-canine-acute-pancreatitis\/","title":{"rendered":"From Diagnosis to Treatment: A Case of Canine Acute Pancreatitis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sidney, a 10-year-old female spayed cocker spaniel, presented with a 2-day history of lethargy, anorexia, and diarrhea.<\/p>\n

History & Physical Examination<\/h2>\n

Sidney had a history of chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca that was treated with topical cyclosporine.<\/p>\n

Two days before presentation, Sidney began refusing to eat and became lethargic. At that time, she was taken to her primary care veterinarian; basic blood analysis and urinalysis were performed (specific results not available). The urinalysis results indicated a urinary tract infection, and Sidney received amoxicillin\/clavulanic acid.<\/p>\n

However, after initiation of antibiotic therapy, Sidney had loose stools that contained gelatinous red clumps. At this point, her primary care veterinarian referred her for further diagnostics and treatment.<\/p>\n

Sidney\u2019s physical examination findings on presentation to the referral facility are listed in Table 1<\/strong>. Differential diagnoses based on history, clinical signs, and physical examination findings are outlined in Table 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"T1609F03Table01\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"T1609F03Table02\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Diagnostic Approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n

Initial workup included a complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemical profile, urinalysis, urine culture, coagulation panel, and patient-side SNAP cPL test (idexx.com); the results of the CBC, serum biochemical profile, and coagulation panel are shown in Tables 3 and 4<\/strong>, with abnormal results bolded. Blood and urine samples were collected before treatment was initiated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In addition, 3-view abdominal radiographs were taken to rule out a gastrointestinal (GI) foreign body and other obvious abdominal organ-related diseases. On the basis of abdominal radiography results, abdominal ultrasonography with abdominocentesis was performed. The collected abdominal fluid was prepared for analysis and cytology.<\/p>\n

\"T1609F03Table03\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"T1609F03Table04\"<\/a><\/p>\n

CBC Results<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The number of red blood cells (RBCs) was normal at first and mildly decreased later. The normal number of RBCs upon presentation may have been related to the mild dehydration. With aggressive fluid therapy, the patient became mildly anemic due to a dilutional effect on the number of RBCs.<\/p>\n

Moderate thrombocytopenia together with the coagulation panel results indicated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). DIC can occur in patients with severe pancreatitis and other serious systemic diseases, such as sepsis due to peritonitis or neoplasia.<\/p>\n

Serum Biochemical Profile Results<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Decreases in total protein and albumin are common in dogs with severe acute pancreatitis and other causes of peritonitis due to albumin loss into the peritoneal effusion. However, the pathogenesis may vary and there are many other differential diagnoses for decreased albumin, including:<\/p>\n