Jasmine & meadow were not happy with me yesterday because I wouldn't let them go on the walk they wanted. I told them it was too far. meadow thinks if she doesn't look at me she won't get lifted in the car. We have found out through blood tests that Jasmine has pancreatitis. Thankfully her bloods were low when tested, her levels were 86. 250 they would be worried. She is now on a low fat diet of fish, steamed chicken (without the skin) vegetables & chappie canned dog food. I have found low fat biscuits for night time & also low fat treats, so she won't miss out too much. No cup of tea for her though in the mornings, unless she gets used to it without milk!!!! The pancreas is part of the endocrine and digestive system, which is integral for the digestion of foods, producing the enzymes that digest food, and producing insulin. When a condition occurs to cause inflammation of the pancreas, the flow of enzymes into the digestive tract can become disrupted, forcing the enzymes out of the pancreas and into the abdominal area. If this occurs, the digestive enzymes will begin to break down fat and proteins in the other organs, as well as in the pancreas. In effect, the body begins to digest itself. Because of their proximity to the pancreas, the kidney and liver can also be affected when this progression takes place, and the abdomen will become inflamed, and possibly infected as well. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock, and even death can follow. Inflammation of the pancreas (or pancreatitis) often progresses rapidly in dogs, but can often be treated without any permanent damage to the organ. However, if pancreatitis goes long-term without treatment, severe organ, and even brain damage can occur. Pancreatitis can affect both dogs and cats. Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs There are a variety of symptoms that may be observed in the animals, including: Fever Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of appetite (anorexia) Weight loss (more common in cats) Dehydration Fatigue and sluggishness Mild to severe abdominal pain (may become more sever after eating) Depression Increased heart rate Difficulty breathing Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs There are several possible causes of inflammation to the pancreas. Some of them are nutritional factors, such as high levels of fat in the blood (lipemia), high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), trauma to the pancreas, and some drugs or toxins. Obesity linked to a high fat and low carbohydrate diet has also been shown to be a risk factor for this inflammation disorder. Although pancreatitis can occur in any dog breed, it occurs more frequently in the Miniature Schnauzer, Miniature Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel. Inflammation of the pancreas is also more common in females than in males, and more common in elderly dogs. Jasmine symptoms were tiredness & tummy ache. Thanks for all the lovely comments & favs, so, so appreciated. Info Pet MD