Investigations of pancreas functions in dogs with gastritis

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether some pancreatic enzymes are affected in dogs with gastritis. Digestive system problems and especially gastritis have an important place among canine diseases. A number of infectious and non-infectious agents play a role in the etiology of gastritis. Gastritis may occur primarily or secondary to other system and organ diseases. Gastritis may cause complications such as pancreatitis, hepatitis and nephritis. On the orther hand, gastritis may originate from these organ's diseases. For example, increased pancreatic enzymes, in assosiciation with pancreatitis, may cause gastritis via reflux of these enzymes and destruction of the gastric mucosa. In this study, gastroscopy was applied to dogs with suspected gastritis and 20 dogs with gastritis (study group) with gastric lesions were included in the study. In addition, 10 healthy (control) dogs that were clinically healthy and had no lesions on gastroscopy were used as the control group in the study. The dogs used in the study were over 1 year old, different gender and breeds. Blood samples were taken from all dogs and serum samples were prepared and kept -80oC until used. All the serum samples were used to determine canine specific amylase (AML) and pancreatic lipase enzymes (cPL).In the study, cPL values of dogs with gastritis were significantly high compared to those of the control group (p<0,05), while AML levels of dogs with gastritis were found to be similar to those in the control group. In dogs with gastritis, cPL values were found to be between 200-400 µg/L (pancreatitis suspected) in 11(55%) dogs and over 400 µg/L (pancreatitis positive) in 3(15%). The cPL values of dogs in the control group were below 200µg/L. According to cut-off values, cPL values increased in 12 (60%) and AML values in 8 (40%) dogs with gastritis. In conclusion, increases in cPL and AML levels reveal that pancreatic functions are affected in some dogs with gastritis. Particularly high increases in cPL suggest that, dogs with gastritis may also develop pancreatitis. Therefore, both gastritis and pancreatitis should be taken in consideration for the treatment of dogs with gastritis.