Practical Management of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ
Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ
From the time he was five years old, Dr. Christopher Byers knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. In fact, his first dream was to become a stegosaurus veterinarian, but since extinction made that impossible, he settled on the next best thing: saving the lives of dogs and cats through emergency and critical care and internal medicine.
Dr. Byers is a double board-certified specialist in veterinary emergency & critical care and small animal internal medicine, as well as a certified veterinary journalist. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, he brings more than two decades of experience at the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
Dr. Byers is the Co-Editor of the textbook Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and the upcoming textbook Canine Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. He has also authored numerous chapters and peer-reviewed articles in leading medical journals. He is deeply passionate about education and is known for sharing his experiences and delivering practical clinical pearls that help colleagues elevate the care they provide in their own practices.
Overview:
This session provides a clinically focused overview of acute pancreatitis in dogs, emphasizing real-world diagnostic challenges, evidence-based treatment strategies, and supportive care techniques that optimize patient outcomes. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of disease pathophysiology, the limitations of current diagnostic modalities, and the importance of individualized treatment plans. Key topics include diagnostic imaging, interpretation of pancreatic lipase assays, fluid therapy strategies, and multimodal pain management. Attendees will leave with practical tools and current knowledge to manage both straightforward and complicated cases of canine acute pancreatitis.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the clinical signs, pathophysiology, and known risk factors of acute pancreatitis in dogs. (Knowledge - Bloom’s Level 1)
- Differentiate between various diagnostic modalities for acute pancreatitis, including Spec cPL, imaging, and laboratory testing, and interpret their strengths and limitations. (Analysis - Bloom’s Level 4)
- Formulate an evidence-based treatment plan that incorporates fluid therapy, nutritional support, and analgesia for dogs with suspected or confirmed acute pancreatitis. (Synthesis - Bloom’s Level 5)
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
