What You Should Know About Feline Pancreatitis

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

A serious condition that needs immediate attention from a veterinarian, know what to look for in case your cat suffers from pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis occurs when a cat’s pancreas becomes inflamed. This organ plays a vital role in the digestion of foods through the production of enzymes. If the pancreas is inflamed, the enzymes can’t flow into the digestive tract freely, leading to disease.

Pancreatitis needs to be treated promptly by a vet, so if you begin to notice any of its symptoms, it’s necessary to have your pet examined as soon as possible.

What Happens When Pancreatitis Occurs?

When the pancreas isn’t inflamed, the digestive enzymes that it produces don’t come into contact with pancreatic tissue. Instead, the enzymes remain inactive until they’ve moved into the small intestine. However, when these enzymes get to work too soon, when they are still within the pancreas, they could start eating away at the organ because it’s made up of protein, fat, and carbohydrate. This leads to pancreatitis, which can affect cats of all breeds and ages.

Related:5 Feline Skin Conditions You Should Know About

What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatitis?

Some of the common symptoms that are associated with pancreatitis include low body temperature, dehydration, anorexia, and lethargy. There typically is not any vomiting, and there typically is not any obvious indication of abdominal pain, but a cat will lie around not wanting to eat and feeling very lethargic. Cats may also be jaundiced or have excess abdominal fluid.

If you have a cat who normally has a healthy appetite but suddenly doesn’t want to eat, even if it’s just for one day, you should contact your veterinarian, especially if there is lethargy and an unwillingness to start eating again within one or two days.

Related:3 Veterinary Tests That Every New Cat Should Get

Because the symptoms of this disease are also symptoms associated with other feline conditions, a proper examination is necessary for the correct diagnosis.

What Is the Treatment for Pancreatitis?

Once your vet has thoroughly examined your cat and diagnosed his condition as pancreatitis, the proper treatment will need to be administered promptly. The vet may order fluid therapy, tube feeding, medications for nausea and vomiting if they’re present, plasma transfusions, antibiotics, and pain relief medications or corticosteroids. And if there is a blockage that’s causing the inflammation, or if there is severely damaged tissue or large accumulations of fluid, your vet may need to do surgery.

What About Nutrition’s Impact on Pancreatitis?

Many felines who have pancreatic illness will also have inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.

Inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis, enteritis, and colitis are a few examples of gastrointestinal issues that may be the result of food allergies that could occur from feeding your cat a commercial diet that contains allergenic ingredients without any natural enzymes.

Also, feeding the same protein every day may result in an allergy to that protein source, and foods that contain a high number of carbohydrates might tax the pancreas by creating the need for higher levels of insulin.

The pancreas is used to aid digestion, but when a cat’s gastrointestinal tract is inflamed, the organ has to work even harder to create enough digestive enzymes that the intestines can use. Feed cats a high quality, grain-free diet, and supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics to assist digestion.

Are There Ways to Prevent Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic, and it can recur. Also, preventative measures may not guarantee that your kitty will never develop this type of inflammation. However, keeping your cat at a healthy weight is a good idea for many reasons, one of which is helping to prevent pancreatitis. Also, talk to your vet before giving medications to your pet, as some of them might increase inflammation and lead to pancreatitis.

Being aware of what pancreatitis is will help you as a cat owner. If you notice symptoms associated with this disease, such as fever, loss of appetite, sluggishness, and vomiting, have your cat examined by a vet, as this condition could be fatal.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Frug

The Frug is a cross between a purebred French Bulldog and Pug. They like spending as much time around their human family as possible.

Most Likely To… Take The World’s Most Epic Yearbook Photo

Diane Wilkinson might just be the coolest principal on the face of the planet, after she and a student take ’80s-inspired yearbook photo with their pet…

What You Should Know About Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

When it comes to Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, a small problem can turn serious quickly. Here''s what you need to know about this health risk.

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is an ancient, no-nonsense hunting hound from Portugal. They are multi-sensory hounds that use both their sight and scent.

Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk Rex has a patient, loving, and tolerant personality.They are docile and good natured, and enjoy nothing more than cuddling with you.

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Rolly

What happen when you cross a Dachshund and Boxer? You get Rolly, our Adoptable Dog of the Week! Rolly is a young male Dachshund and Boxer mix from Mandan, No…

Benefits Of A Grain-Free Diet For Your Dog

Is a grain-free diet right for your dog? Here’s how to tell if you should go against the grain and make a switch. A grain-free diet for dogs is very mu…

Briquet Griffon Vendeen

The griffon breed type is known for its coarse, wiry coat and its hunting abilities - this is particularly true for the Briquet Griffon Vendeen.

Belgian Horse

The Belgian horse is beloved for its intelligence and willingness to please. This breed is also known for being docile, kind, quiet, and willing to please.

Standard Schnauzer

We''re sure that you''ll find plenty to enjoy about the active, sporty Standard Schnauzer that is also known to be obedient, loyal, athletic, and watchful.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Penny

Talk about the dog days of summer! It looks like our Upside Down Dog of the Week, Penny, from Upsidedowndog.com is taking advantage of all the sunny days she…

Kai Ken

If you picture a small dog with a dark coat, pointed ears and a fluffy tail, you have the image of a Kai Ken. They are considered a fairly rare breed.

Product Review: WeatherTech Cargo Liner and Pet Barrier Review

Dog Sport Enthusiast Kevin Roberts takes WeatherTech''s Cargo Liner and Pet Barrier out for a spin - do they stand up to the mess of his snow-loving dogs?

4 Ingredients Dog Treat Recipe

If you’re in a bit of a rush and don’t have many ingredients to work with, the 4 Ingredients Dog Treat Recipe will be right up your alley. We lov…

Make Your Own Homemade Dog Shampoo

In this article you will learn how to make your own homemade dog shampoo from simple household ingredients.