Chyloabdomen and non‐iatrogenic traumatic pancreatitis in a dog

Abstract Chyloabdomen is a rare condition in veterinary medicine and has rarely been reported in association with non‐iatrogenic traumatic pancreatitis in dogs. A 1‐year‐8‐month‐old, male, entire, mixed‐breed working dog presented 4 days after a high‐speed collision that occurred during rough play with a medium‐sized dog due to acute abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and progressive abdominal distention. Pancreatitis was diagnosed based on history, clinicopathological test results and ultrasonographic findings. Serum canine pancreas‐specific lipase concentration, analysed 6 days after initial trauma, was equivocal. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a large volume of slightly echoic peritoneal effusion and enlargement of the pancreatic body and cranial aspect of the right pancreatic lobe, with marked hyperechogenicity of the peripancreatic tissue. Abdominocentesis was consistent with chyloabdomen. The dog received supportive care, was discharged after 3 days of hospitalisation, and was doing well 18 months later.