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ancreatitis in Dogs and Cats

The pancreas is a very important organ. It is a long, soft piece of tissue located between the stomach and small intestine. The pancreas has two major functions; it controls blood sugar and produces digestive enzymes. To control blood sugar, the pancreas produces a variety of hormones, such as insulin. Insulin is critical in allowing the body to transfer sugar from the bloodstream into the body's cells. Insulin is the hormone that is dysfunctional in diabetes.

The other function of the pancreas is the production of digestive enzymes. These enzymes are secreted into the small intestine. Once in the small intestine, the enzymes are needed to digest protein, carbohydrates, and fats. The enzymes break these big nutrients into smaller pieces that can then be absorbed through the wall of the small intestine. In the normal pancreas, enzymes are produced and stored in an inactive form. This means that while the enzymes are in the pancreas, they are unable to digest anything. The enzymes are activated when they reach the inside of the small intestine. This is very important, because the enzymes are very powerful and cannot tell the difference between protein and fat found in food and the body’s protein (muscle) and fat. If the enzymes were active inside of the pancreas, they would quickly begin to digest the pancreas!

This is what happens in both acute and chronic pancreatitis. For some reason, the enzymes become activated inside of the pancreas. The enzymes begin to digest the pancreatic tissue. This causes much damage, cell death, and inflammation. This is called ‘pancreatitis’, which means ‘inflammation of the pancreas’.

Unfortunately, pancreatitis is a viscous circle. Damage by the enzymes causes more enzyme release, which causes more damage. This is why pancreatitis is such a serious disease. It can get out of control very quickly. In fact, these enzymes can digest right through the pancreas and can begin to digest and damage other nearby organs, such as the liver.
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