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| | | Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which disrupts this gland's functioning and releases toxinsAcute pancreatitis is unpredictable -- ranging from one day of illness to kidney failure and even death. But chronic pancreatitis can usually be controlled fairly easily with a special low-fat diet.VeterinaryPartner.com has an overview of pancreatitis in dogs. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Treatment cost can vary between $200 and $1,000-plus per episode, depending on the size of the dog, the severity of the condition and how many days of treatment are required. The cost includes diagnosis, which could involve laboratory tests, X-rays and ultrasound, as well as round-the clock monitoring and multiple blood tests per day during hospitalization -- which can last from one to five days or more.
- The average pancreatitis treatment claim amount submitted by policyholders of Veterinary Pet Insurance is $482.
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| What should be included: | - Treatment involves withholding food and water for two to three days and preventing dehydration with intravenous fluids and potassium supplementation.
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| Additional costs: | - Pain management, with injections or patches or drips, and nausea control, usually are necessary. Antibiotics might also be used to control bacteria released from diseased tissue.
- If 80 percent of the pancreas is damaged, it will be unable to produce insulin, resulting in diabetes mellitus. Managing this disease can be costly -- $200 or more for diagnosis and initial treatment and $30 or more per month for maintenance -- and can require a special diet and insulin. VeterinaryPartner.com has a primer on diabetes mellitus.
- Some dogs who have one episode of pancreatitis will go on have additional episodes, so repeated treatment might be required.
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| Discounts: | - Treatment for pancreatitis is commonly covered under veterinary health insurance plans, so the pet owner pays only part of the cost for an insured dog. However, many plans do not cover pre-existing conditions.
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| Shopping for dog pancreatitis treatment: | - When a dog has symptoms that could indicate pancreatitis -- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain -- it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment quickly. To find a good veterinarian, ask fellow dog owners, breeders or humane associations. Or, search at the American Veterinary Medical Association to find your state's veterinary medical association for a referral. VeterinaryPartner.com offers guidelines on how to find and which questions to ask a veterinarian.
- Tip: If your dog must stay overnight at an animal hospital while undergoing treatments, ask the veterinarian for details about how pets are supervised and monitored during non-business hours.
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Article updated September 2007 |
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