Mary Allen
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas.
The cause of pancreatitis can often not be finally determined. In addition to certain medications, there are risk factors that favor the development. These include very high-fat feed, trauma (e.g. injury from accidents or during an operation), and circulatory disorders (which can also occur during an operation). In cats, defenestration is a classic situation that can lead to pancreatitis. Too high a concentration of calcium or triglycerides (fats) in the blood is also considered a possible cause of pancreatitis. Some cat pathogens are said to cause inflammation of the pancreas, but there is little evidence to date.
Pancreatitis occurs in a mild or severe form and as an acute or chronic disease. Depending on the severity, the prognosis for healing varies.
Symptoms
Pancreatitis can manifest itself in very different ways. In a mild form, the animal will show no or few symptoms; if it is difficult, however, it can lead to failure of several organs.
Possible symptoms of pancreatitis are:
- lethargy (weariness)
- food refusal
- weakness
- Diarrhea and dehydration (dehydration, dehydration)
- Ataxia (disorders in movement)
- difficulty breathing
- Vomit
- Stomach ache
When Should You Go To The Vet?
Do you notice your pet vomiting or diarrhea for which you do not know the cause, does it not eat? You should also see a veterinarian if, for example, you feel unwell when you pet your pet’s stomach or if your darling is only lying dully on its blanket. These symptoms are very unspecific, which means that they can be caused by many different diseases and should be explained as far as possible.
Diagnosis
With a combination of tests, the vet will try to track down pancreatitis. After a general examination and a suspicion, the first signs are usually found when examining a blood sample. It may also be necessary to use a fine needle and syringe to aspirate some pancreatic tissue and examine it under a microscope. The gland cells change as a result of the inflammation, and purulent fluid may also be found in them. The changes are difficult to see on an X-ray, but they are easier to see on an ultrasound. However, both methods are primarily suitable for excluding other diseases.
Due to the relatively unclear symptoms, various gastrointestinal diseases or uterine suppuration (pyometra) can also come into question, especially in the case of severe abdominal pain.
Treatment
If the cause of pancreatitis can be found, it should be corrected immediately. It may make sense to discontinue a medication that has been given for a long period of time. As already mentioned, investigating the cause of pancreatitis is difficult and rarely successful.
However, the vet will also treat the symptoms, especially in severe cases of pancreatitis. Severely ill animals are given an IV to replenish lost fluid and treated for nausea and pain. This is particularly important for cats, because: the cat’s organism – unlike that of the dog – does not tolerate a “zero diet”, i.e. total fasting. A cat that does not eat for a long time will suffer irreparable liver damage.
When the animals want to eat again, they are given a special diet that is rich in carbohydrates and rather low in fat and protein. This puts as little strain as possible on the pancreas.
In the case of mild forms of pancreatitis, which are particularly noticeable when they are chronic, the right diet is often sufficient. However, even mild pancreatitis should be taken seriously. Sometimes pain treatment is also useful for the mild form since cats do not show their pain to the same extent.
The prognosis for healing pancreatitis depends on how severe it is and the extent of the damage that has already occurred. Mild pancreatitis that is recognized early has a good chance of healing. In severe forms with already severely damaged other organs, however, the animal can die.