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This is an extremely painful and serious condition requiring intensive therapy. It can be life-threatening. • Pancreatic insufficiency Wasting of the cells of the pancreas that produce digestive enzymes leads to poor digestive function, persistent diarrhoea, weight loss and ravenous appetite. The condition, when it occurs, is often diagnosed in dogs of less than two years of age, and is seen occasionally in the Labrador. Diagnosis is made on clinical symptoms and laboratory testing of blood and faeces. • Diabetes mellitus Another function of the pancreas is to manufacture the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. If insulin is deficient, blood and urine glucose levels rise, both of which can be detected on laboratory testing. Affected animals have an increased appetite and thirst, weight loss and lethargy. If left untreated, the dog may go into a diabetic coma. • Pancreatic tumors These are relatively common and are usually highly malignant. Symptoms vary from vomiting, weight loss and signs of abdominal pain to acute jaundice. The prognosis is usually hopeless, and death occurs rapidly. |
