Pancreatitis in cats

Pancreatitis in cats is an inflammation of the pancreas. It's no secret that this gland is essential for normal digestion. It has a special area responsible for producing the hormone insulin, which is needed to "feed" cells with glucose. If the hormone is deficient or the cells become resistant to it, blood sugar levels skyrocket, and the pet develops diabetes. diabetes mellitusHow to treat pancreatitis in cats?

Like any other inflamed organ, the pancreas is unable to fully function during pancreatitis. This is extremely dangerous, as not only is the digestive process itself disrupted, but metabolism is also severely affected. The risk of diabetes increases.

Certain cat breeds are predisposed to pancreatitis. For example, Thai, Siamese, Oriental, Balinese, and their close relatives. Stress, pregnancy, and hormonal fluctuations can also increase the risk. Therefore, female cats (often unspayed) and male cats with whiskers, who frequently experience stress, are more susceptible to the disease. Diseases similar to pancreatitis become more common with age, so pancreatic inflammation is more common in older cats (over 8 years old).

Causes of pancreatitis in cats

Let's start with the root cause. Why and how does pancreatitis occur in cats?

• CongenitalSometimes kittens are born with the condition. Any contributing factor can lead to the pet developing pancreatitis.
• Excess or, conversely, underweightSuch a deviation from the norm already indicates that something is wrong with the metabolism (as well as with the pet's nutrition). Obesity in a cat only makes the situation worse. The fact is that fats prevent cells from "contacting" glucose.
• Excess calciumA deficiency of this element in the diet is just as bad as overfeeding it.
• Poisoning (most often due to drug intoxication).
• Other diseases infectious (for example, calicivirus), fungal, parasitic (for example, toxoplasmosis) etiology.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (not only the stomach or intestines, but also the liver and gallbladder).
• Diabetes mellitusIt can either arise from pancreatitis or lead to it. It's a vicious circle.
• Injury (especially if the peritoneum has been injured, often even as a result of surgery). The cat may fall and injure itself. Or it may become a victim of a dog attack or cruelty.

Types of pancreatitis in cats

Pancreatitis in cats can be acute or chronic. Chronic pancreatitis is more insidious because it slowly and continuously destroys the body. While there may be no noticeable symptoms, the animal continues to get worse.

Moreover, the disease can be divided into primary (the disease developed independently) and secondary (the disease is a consequence of another, that is, inflammation of the pancreas is a symptom).

Symptoms of pancreatitis in cats

Typically, it's quite difficult to visually detect the symptoms of pancreatitis in a cat. While a person or dog might be practically climbing the walls in excruciating pain, our pet remains silent, perhaps just starting to sleep more. Therefore, owners often fail to notice the signs of pancreatic inflammation in cats, even if the condition is acute. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, progresses almost unnoticed, only occasionally flaring up. For this reason, we'll focus on the symptoms of acute pancreatitis in cats.

Naturally, a cat may have only some of the symptoms listed above, not necessarily all at once.

Possible complications

If a cat didn't have it before pancreatitis, it can lead to diabetes! Therefore, treatment for a cat with pancreatitis should be urgent. In very severe cases (thankfully, these aren't very common in animals), the cat can develop sepsis—blood poisoning.

How to make a diagnosis?

Clinical signs alone aren't enough. The veterinarian must perform a number of other tests: ultrasound, X-rays, gastroscopy, urine and blood tests. Only with all these additional examinations can the doctor make a definitive diagnosis. They will assess the extent of pancreatic damage and ensure that no other organs are damaged (if the cat has urolithiasis, hepatitis, gastritis, stones in the bile ducts and bladder, etc.).

Treatment of pancreatitis in cats

How to treat pancreatitis in a cat? Treatment should begin immediately after diagnosis. If the animal vomits immediately after drinking or eating, stop feeding.

The veterinarian will need to find the underlying cause of the inflammation. Without addressing it, treatment is futile; pancreatitis will immediately return. Therefore, the cat may be given anthelmintics, antibiotics, and antiviral medications. If the symptoms are mild, symptomatic therapy is most often used (antiemetics, cardiac medications, and glucose IVs to treat dehydration). However, if the cat has diabetes, the intravenous glucose should be replaced with a different saline solution (diabetics already have high blood sugar levels; adding glucose could cause the animal to go into a coma).

Feeding cats with pancreatitis

What should I feed a cat with pancreatitis? Feeding a cat with pancreatitis should be done in small portions. Don't overload the pancreas. It's better to feed frequently, but in small portions. This also won't cause a large release of glucose into the blood, since an inflamed pancreas produces less insulin. Here are a few simple rules:

1. Food (if natural) should be warmed slightly (just above room temperature) to avoid unnecessary irritation of the digestive tract. Avoid feeding food that is too hot or straight out of the refrigerator.
2. Don't overload your pet's diet. Don't feed them a ton of different foods daily. It's better to introduce one food at a time, gradually introducing new ones. At first, it's best to feed low-fat broths and easily digestible cereals (oatmeal, rice).
3. There should be plenty of water. It needs to be filtered in advance, but it should be lukewarm (room temperature).
4. If the animal gets worse, switch back to light food and immediately call or visit a veterinarian!

There's a list of prohibited foods for cats with pancreatitis. These foods are strictly prohibited, even if your pet feels better. It's important to understand that your pet remains at risk for a long time after recovery (or visible improvement). Therefore, don't risk feeding anything that could trigger a relapse.

Prohibited foods

List of prohibited foods for a cat with pancreatitis:

• Cabbage. It is not recommended for feeding to healthy animals.
• Corn. If you feed dry food, carefully read the ingredients. Manufacturers often cut corners by adding corn and its derivatives.
• Boiled eggs. The whites are digested much better than the yolks, but if you have pancreatitis, you shouldn't give them either; they're too heavy.
• Raw vegetables and fruits. The gastrointestinal tract is not yet ready to digest fiber.
• Do not give a sick cat porridge made from whole grains.
• Refrain from feeding fatty foods (meat, dairy, fish).

Forget about "human treats." No sweets (especially chocolate). Hot dogs and sausages are completely unsuitable for feeding to a pet! You can't even add table salt to a cat, let alone hot dogs and sausages? How much "healthy" stuff is in there? The digestive tract won't cope, and the irritation will only become more severe.

• Fried? That's contraindicated even for a healthy animal!
• Avoid fermented milk products! And hold off on anything with a sour taste until "better" times.

Prevention of pancreatitis in cats

Preventing pancreatitis in cats isn't that difficult. Start by keeping up with all veterinary treatments (vaccinations, deworming), and also visiting your veterinarian for regular checkups.

Monitor calcium in your diet

Avoid overfeeding your cat with calcium-rich foods. Avoid giving them hard-to-digest foods. Ensure your cat's diet does not contain any prohibited foods. Carefully read the ingredients of any dry food you buy. Don't hesitate to ask for quality certificates.

If your pet has gastrointestinal problems, they're at risk. Avoid neglecting them under any circumstances. Monitor your pet's weight.

Do not self-medicate

If your veterinarian has prescribed any medications, do not substitute them with similar medications yourself (some owners try to find similar medications in human pharmacies). Do not exceed the prescribed dosage, and do not give your pet medications more often than recommended by your veterinarian.

Houseplants

Keep houseplants away—some are poisonous. The toxins damage the liver, which over time leads to inflammation of the cat's pancreas.

A comprehensive webinar for professionals on pancreatitis (and other pancreatic diseases) in cats and dogs:

We hope you found our article on pancreatitis in cats helpful. Any questions? Ask them in the comments.

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• Hepatolux for cats
• Elevated Creatinine in a Cat: What Does It Mean and What to Do?