Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, and when inflamed, the digestive enzymes leak out and cause damage to the pancreas and the nearby liver. Pancreatitis is quite different in cats than it is in dogs.Cats usually present with lethargy, decreased appetite, dehydration and weight loss. They rarely show signs of abdominal pain although there is improvement seen when pain medications are given. When there is chronic pancreatitis, long-term pain medication can be used.
They may also have intermittent vomiting or none at all, but either way, an antinauseant should be given to help with the appetite, and if not then an appetite stimulant can be added in as well. Many times there is a concurrent disease such as Hepatic Lipidosis, Cholangitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Diabetes Mellitus and they should also be treated at the same time.
If pancreatitis is the only disease present than a low residue diet should be sufficient, but if there is any type of gastrointestinal disease than a novel protein diet is the best.
Written by Laurie Box