Is it pancreatitis when your dog’s stomach is gurgling a lot? It’s pretty normal for belly noises to happen every once in a while. But if it’s happening a lot and there are other symptoms, you might start worrying.
Like humans, dogs can get a condition called pancreatitis, and a gurgling stomach might be a sign that there’s something wrong.
Here’s what you should know about pancreatitis in dogs.
Table of Contents
What is pancreatitis in dogs?
Just like humans, dogs have a pancreas. This organ is an important part of the digestive system. When your dog’s body is digesting food, his pancreas begins to secrete juices called enzymes.
Enzymes are proteins that help to break down things like sugars and fats so that your dog’s body can process them.
The pancreas will also create important hormones that carry messages to different parts of the body.
Like any part of the body, the pancreas can become sick. When it gets inflamed, this is called pancreatitis. This can be a serious condition that needs to be treated by a vet.
If you’re worried that your dog might have pancreatitis, then there are a few signs you should look out for.
An acute pancreatitis attack in dogs can cause stomach gurgling, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. He might hunch or curl up because of his painful belly. Loss of appetite and thirst, heavy breathing and dry mouth might point at chronic pancreatitis.
Make sure that you visit your vet if you ever suspect that something could be going on with your dog.
Before we get into a little more information on pancreatitis, go ahead and check out these related articles:
- My Dog’s Stomach is Gurgling Very Loudly
- My Puppy’s Stomach Is Gurling and He Won’t Eat—What Can I Do?
Acute vs. chronic pancreatitis
There are a couple of different types of pancreatitis that you should know about. The first we’ll discuss is acute pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly and often severely, though it can also happen as a milder form.
This type of pancreatitis is fairly easy to cure. With proper treatment, your dog should start to feel better within a week or so.
The other type of pancreatitis that your dog might experience is chronic pancreatitis. As the name implies, this condition does not heal or get better. Rather, it will get worse over time, eventually leading to permanent damage to the pancreas.
No matter whether your dog has acute or chronic pancreatitis, getting your dog to a vet will get him the treatment he needs.
What is the survival rate for dogs with pancreatitis?
Your vet will be able to help you determine what your dog’s prognosis is. The survival rate for a dog with pancreatitis will depend on whether it’s acute or chronic.
It will also depend on the severity of your dog’s condition. For acute pancreatitis, most dogs will recover within a week or so with proper treatment.
However, if your dog’s case is particularly severe, then recovery might be more difficult.
Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, will require long-term care and management.
If you suspect that your dog might have pancreatitis, you should get him to a vet as soon as possible. Your dog’s outlook will be much better if you get treatment for him early.
How long does it take for dogs to get over pancreatitis?
Again, the amount of time it’s going to take for your dog to recover from pancreatitis will depend on a few factors.
If your dog’s pancreatitis is acute, then he should be able to recover fairly quickly with the help of a vet. Most dogs are able to recover within a week of receiving treatment.
However, if your dog’s case is more severe, then it can take longer for treatment to take effect. In some cases, dogs may not recover from acute pancreatitis.
Dogs that have chronic pancreatitis will not recover from the condition. Instead, your vet will recommend techniques to manage it instead.
Some things your vet might recommend are diet changes and supplements to keep your dog’s pancreas in good shape.
Have questions about your dog’s eating habits? Check out these articles:
- Why Is My Dog Refusing to Eat Dog Food?
- Best Dog Food Delivery Service for Fresh Cooked Food
- Do Dogs Get Tired of the Same Food?
Gurgling stomach and other pancreatitis symptoms in dogs
If you suspect your dog has pancreatitis, you should make an appointment with your vet as soon as you can.
Your vet will be able to provide you with the right treatment and management practices to help your dog feel better.
If your dog’s stomach is gurgling, that could be a sign of pancreatitis. However, your dog will show other symptoms as well. Here’s a little more information on what to look out for.
My dog’s stomach is gurgling, could it be pancreatitis?
In the medical world, stomach gurgling is referred to as borborygmi. It’s completely normal for your dog’s stomach to gurgle every once in a while.
The noise is usually caused by your dog’s digestive system preparing to digest food. It’s why your own stomach gurgles too when you get hungry. You’re ready to eat, and your body is preparing to process the food you’re about to put in it!
But if it’s happening a lot and it’s accompanied by other signs, then a gurgling stomach could indicate that you need to get your dog to a vet.
While it could be something as simple as a mildly upset stomach or a gas movement, if it’s going on for more than 24 hours there could be something going on.
It could be pancreatitis, or your dog could have something like inflammatory bowel disease or parasites.
Your vet will be able to determine what’s going on with your dog and get him the proper treatment.
Other signs of a pancreatitis attack in dogs
The onset of your dog’s symptoms is called an attack. During an attack, your dog is likely to show several signs.
Many dogs begin to have fevers during an attack. Your dog might also start to appear lethargic, and he may start vomiting and having diarrhea. Dogs also tend to hunch over during an acute attack, and may experience pain when you touch their bellies.
If your dog has chronic pancreatitis, then there might be other signs. For instance, your dog might stop eating regularly, or he might experience dehydration. Some dogs with chronic pancreatitis experience difficulty breathing or have dry mouths.
Treating pancreatitis in dogs
It can be scary if your dog has any kind of medical condition. Regardless of what you think your dog might have: If you think he’s sick, you should be proactive. Get your dog what he needs as soon as possible.
Keep these tips in mind if you think your dog could be sick with pancreatitis.
Take him to the vet
No matter what illness or condition you think your dog might have, your first step should be getting him to a vet.
Vets have the right training to diagnose what the issue with your dog is. They’ll also be able to set you up with a treatment plan to help your dog.
Even if it turns out that your dog isn’t sick, a trip to the vet can set your mind at ease. You’ll be able to relax knowing that nothing is wrong with your dog. Not all dogs’ stomach gurgling turns out to be pancreatitis!
That said, there’s no denying that vets can get pretty expensive. If you need to take your dog to the vet, you might be wondering how to pay for it.
These related articles will help you save money at the vet:
- How to Pay Vet Bills, Even in Emergencies
- How Much Do Dog X-Rays Cost at the Vet?
- 9 Tips to Save Money on Vet Bills
How you can help treat dog pancreatitis at home
Your vet will give your dog an initial treatment and a plan for dealing with his illness at home. There are likely a few things your vet will recommend that you do to help your dog recover from his illness, or manage it if it’s chronic.
Weight loss for dogs that are overweight can be very helpful in managing this condition, as well as several others. Finding food that is higher in carbs than in fats and getting out for regular exercise can help with weight loss.
Since dehydration can be a serious issue in dogs with pancreatitis, it’s important to make sure your dog stays hydrated. Encourage him to drink plenty of water, and remember to monitor him for any signs that his symptoms are getting worse.
Making your dog comfortable when he has pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can be uncomfortable and even painful for your dog. Once you’re back at home, finding ways to keep your dog comfortable will help with managing his condition.
There are a few things you can do to help keep your dog nice and comfortable. One thing you can do is make sure that you are feeding your dog a bland diet. Making sure it’s food his body can easily digest will help with his symptoms.
Not feeding him scraps from the table will also help.
General healthy lifestyle changes like getting sufficient exercise and reducing stress as much as possible help a lot too.
FAQs around stomach gurgling and pancreatitis in dogs
Do you still have some questions about pancreatitis and your dog’s gurgling stomach? Here are a few answers that might help.
What can I give my dog for a gurgling stomach?
If your dog’s stomach is gurgling, then it could just be a sign that he’s hungry. Once you feed him his next meal, the gurgling should stop.
If you are only feeding your dog one meal per day, then splitting that into 2 or 3 should help prevent your dog from getting hungry later.
Sometimes a dog’s stomach can get a little upset. If your dog is throwing up, withholding his food for 12 or so hours can help. Once you feed him again, make sure to give him something bland.
Boiled chicken, rice, and carrots can be a great meal option for a dog with an upset stomach.
Why is my dog eating grass when his stomach is gurgling?
Dogs have a lot of habits that we humans might find pretty confusing. If your dog’s stomach seems to be upset, he might start eating grass.
So why exactly is that? Grass can actually help your dog’s digestive tract. Your dog knows this instinctively, and might chow down on a little grass to help his stomach feel better.
You can let your dog eat a little grass if his stomach is bothering him. Just don’t let him eat too much, since that can make the problem worse.
Do dogs with pancreatitis drink a lot of water?
Pancreatitis can cause dehydration in dogs. That’s why it’s very important to keep your dog hydrated if he’s sick with this condition.
When he’s receiving his initial treatment, one of the things your vet will do is set him up with an IV line to help him stay hydrated.
When you get back home, make sure he has access to clean water.
Should I put my dog down if he has pancreatitis?
Just because your dog is sick, that doesn’t mean you should put him down! The prognosis for many dogs with pancreatitis is good.
When you take your dog to the vet to get diagnosed, they will be able to assess the condition of your dog. They can also tell you what the next steps you should take are.
In some cases, putting a dog down might be a difficult but necessary decision. However, in many other cases, your dog can recover and live a happy, healthy life.
Can pancreatitis in dogs cause gas?
Does your dog seem gassier than usual? Pancreatitis can certainly cause gas in dogs. However, gas on its own isn’t enough to point to the issue being pancreatitis.
There will be other symptoms that indicate that your dog might have a medical condition like pancreatitis.
But if your dog just experiences gas sometimes and it goes away quickly, then that’s just a normal part of your dog’s digestive system!
Conclusion
It can be scary when your dog gets sick. You love your dog, and you do a lot to keep him safe and healthy. But there are some things that are out of your control.
Stomach gurgling is normal in dogs, but it could also be a symptom of pancreatitis. Keep an eye on him!
If you think your dog might be sick, getting him to a vet as quickly as possible is important. The sooner you get him to one, the better his prognosis is likely to be.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of my links, at no cost to you.