The 'Sticky' at the top of the Health section on pancreatitis by Dr Penny Watson says this
Quote....."The pancreas is a small organ just behind the stomach which has two very important functions:
• Firstly, it produces enzymes which go down a duct in to the gut and are critical in the digestion of food.
These enzymes are especially important for fat digestion. If they are deficient, the animal develops what is know as ‘exocrine pancreatic insufficiency’ (EPI) where they cannot digest fat properly so typically loose weight in spite of a ravenous appetite and have smelly, fatty faeces. This is treated relatively easily by feeding a low fat diet and adding enzymes to the food.
• Secondly, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which passes in the blood stream to all the organs in the body and is centrally important in the regulation of blood glucose levels and energy supply to the cells of the body. A deficiency of this hormone results in the development of DIABETES MELLITUS where the blood sugar level is very high and the animal drinks and urinates excessively. This is also relatively easily treated by giving the dog regular insulin injections and keeping daily food and exercise as stable as possible."
I think she needs to update this to mention , as is known, that pancreatitis can segue into both Epi and diabetes, because the pancreas literally rots away.
It took months for the vet to diagnose my springer, who lost 7kg, she'd been about to be pts. Vets who've heard of it, sayit's rare, but as AndyB said, it is missed and thought to be a terminal cancer, whereas its controlled by adding pork enzymes and B12 injections, grain free food and antibiotics when the room emptying farting creeps in. My dog
I end a happy chubby life till she was 12. Sadly followed by Bob cocker who was only 8, from a much nastier condition, protein losing nephropathy of the kidneys. I couldn't bear to even see a spaniel after that, hence now having healthy terrier rescues.
Anyway , I hope to hear that Jazz does some proper poops soon to show he's digesting some food and won't feel hungry all the time.
I second the comments about the power of COL, I was so grateful to read the Behaviour section for years, after Bobby turned out to be a puppy from h-ll!