Evaluation of risk factors for fatal acute pancreatitis in dogs

Objective-To identify risk factors associated with fatal acute pancreatitis in dogs. Design-Case-control study. Animals-70 case dogs with clinical evidence and histopathologic confirmatio n of fatal acute pancreatitis and 104 control dogs that had trauma, underwe nt necropsy, and did not have histologic evidence of acute pancreatitis. Procedure-Information on signalment, weight, body condition, medical histor y, concurrent disease, and results of histopathologic examination was obtai ned by reviewing medical records. Logistic regression analysis included cal culation of univariate and multivariate (adjusted) odds ratios and 95% conf idence intervals. Results and Clinical Implications-Dogs with fatal acute pancreatitis were l argely middle- to older-aged dogs. Risk of developing fatal acute pancreati tis was increased by overweight body condition, diabetes mellitus, hyperadr enocorticism, hypothyroidism, prior gastrointestinal tract disease, and epi lepsy. Additionally, Yorkshire Terriers were at increased risk, and Labrado r Retrievers and Miniature Poodles were at decreased risk, of developing fa tal acute pancreatitis. Males and neutered females appeared to have an incr eased risk of developing fatal acute pancreatitis, compared with sexually i ntact females; Thrombus formation was more likely in dogs that developed fa tal acute pancreatitis than in control dogs.