The pancreas is an important gland organ that, among other things, provides enzymes for the breakdown of nutrients and also produces the insulin necessary for regulating blood sugar levels.
If the cat’s pancreas is inflamed, this has serious consequences for the health of the four-legged friend. In this article you can find out how pancreatitis occurs in cats, what symptoms it causes and whether it can be cured.
Key facts at a glance
- Cats can develop either acute or chronic pancreatitis.
- Inflammation can have many causes and manifest itself in different ways depending on its severity and form.
- Acute pancreatitis in cats is usually completely curable
- In the case of chronic inflammation, with a bit of luck, the symptoms can at least be brought under control.
Why the pancreas in cats becomes inflamed
The exact cause of pancreatitis can usually no longer be determined afterwards. Nevertheless, there are a number of previous illnesses and other risk factors that can trigger or promote inflammation of the pancreas in cats.
An inflammation of the pancreas in cats can be favored by the following factors, for example:
- Viral and bacterial infections
- diabetes
- Chronic inflammation of the intestine
- kidney failure
- side effects of medication
- hypothermia
- injuries
- tumors
Acute and chronic pancreatitis
In principle, cats can suffer from acute and chronic inflammation of the pancreas, with the chronic form usually being preceded by untreated acute pancreatitis.
Inflammation can be either mild or severe. If the latter is the case, the disease of the pancreas can spread to the rest of the body and, in the worst case, cause fatal organ failure.
Possible symptoms of pancreatitis in cats
When a cat’s pancreas becomes inflamed, it causes a variety of problems, with symptoms varying in intensity depending on the course and severity.
Possible symptoms of pancreatitis in cats include:
- apathy
- Diarrhea
- Vomit
- stomach pain
- constipation
- dehydration
- lack of appetite
- weight loss
- Fever
While the often relapsing symptoms of chronic pancreatitis usually develop slowly, the acute form often leads to a sudden deterioration in the condition, which can sometimes even be accompanied by a dangerous circulatory collapse.
Diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats
Only a veterinarian can tell you whether the symptoms mentioned are actually caused by pancreatitis in your cat. As part of his examinations, he will use ultrasound and various blood tests, among other things. At least a severe inflammation of the pancreas can be diagnosed very quickly in this way.
Treating cats with pancreatitis
Your cat’s treatment may vary depending on the severity and type of pancreatitis. In the case of severe complaints, inpatient treatment of the four-legged friend may be necessary for this purpose.
The treatment measures consist primarily of suitable painkillers and infusions to compensate for the loss of fluid. If your cat is taking medication that may have caused the infection, the vet will also stop taking it if possible.
In addition, it is very important to pay attention to the diet in cats with pancreatitis. Because easily digestible food with a moderate protein and fat content and a relatively high carbohydrate content, which the four-legged friend receives in several small portions, helps to relieve the pancreas and reduce the symptoms associated with the inflammation.
What are the chances of recovery for cats with pancreatitis?
Whether your cat will make a full recovery or whether pancreatitis will cause permanent problems is hard to say. If acute pancreatitis is recognized in good time and only causes minor symptoms, you can usually expect your cat to be completely healthy again very soon.
Chronic pancreatitis in cats, on the other hand, cannot be cured in most cases. The damage to the pancreas can at best be slowed down with suitable measures so that the symptoms of the four-legged friend do not increase any further. Don’t expect a full recovery, however.