Cat Pancreatitis

The function of the pancreas is to help balance blood sugar, and it also provides digestive enzymes to initiate digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. One indicator of acute pancreatitis is the marked elevation of amylase and lipase in the blood. This happens as a result of these enzymes escaping from the pancreatic ducts and becoming resorbed back into the blood. Symptoms include gastrointestinal disorder, vomiting, acute abdominal pain and lack of appetite.



Inflammation of the feline pancreas is a very poorly understood condition in the veterinary community. It is difficult to diagnose, and the direct cause is rarely discovered. Unfortunately, discussions of the causes of this disease in veterinary references do not consider the effects of constant poor nutrition. As with many chronic conditions of the cat, this condition is usually associated with a poor diet that is far too high in carbohydrates, (the typical dry kibble diet).



Cat pancreatitis can also be a precursor to diabetes. The pancreas is overburdened by a constant diet of grains, or a variety of other foods that are high in starches, and this organ simply cannot maintain optimal function when it is faced with these inappropriate foods. Inflammatory damage to the pancreas can destroy the ability of this organ to perform its normal functions. An additional factor which can negatively impact the pancreas is the presence of toxins in the form of food pollutants of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and vaccines and drugs administered by the veterinary profession.



Treatment of cat pancreatitis is usually, mistakenly, the same treatment that is prescribed for dogs - a diet that is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates. In fact it should be noted that the true carnivore's diet should be low in carbohydrates and high in proteins. Although the jury is still out on whether to keep dietary fat under control, it is a good idea to feed meats that are relatively low in fats.



A complete amino acid profile is essential, in the form of fresh, raw, lean meat. Foods that are high in processed carbohydrates must be avoided at all costs, in order to avoid further damage to an already debilitated pancreas. The cat may require supplementation with insulin injections or enzymes added to the food until the affected organ can resume secretion of these vital substances.



Inflammation of the pancreas is usually the result of poor nutrition in the form of dry commercial diets. The solution to avoiding further flare-ups is a species appropriate diet, high in proteins and low in carbohydrates.

Diabetes Mellitus and Pancreatitis in Cats - What You Should Know About This Glandular Problem

Older cats may suffer from hormone related diseases caused by glandular changes that occur with advancing age. Again, most vets recommend routine screening for hormone levels in the blood because early intervention with diet, drugs, and other treatments improve the odds of effective control of these diseases.



Let's look at some of the more common glandular problems seen in older cats. The pancreas produces several enzymes that are essential for processing sugars and fats in the diet. Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas loses its ability to metabolize and regulate blood sugar through the production of insulin.



Symptoms of diabetes include heavy water consumption, and consequently, heavy urination. Obesity can lead to diabetes, but not all diabetic cats are fat. If your cat drinks and urinates a lot, or if she is overweight, consider having her tested for diabetes.



Some cases can be managed with changes in diet, but many diabetic cats require daily insulin injection to control excess blood sugar. If that is true for your cat, your vet can teach you to give the injections at home and to monitor blood sugar with urine glucose strips available from any pharmacy.



He also can explain what to do if your cat's blood sugar drops too low from the insulin injections. Even with careful home care and monitoring, you will need to take your cat to the vet frequently to be sure that her insulin dosage is correct.



Pancreatitis is a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and elevated heart rate. Eating too much fatty food can bring on an attack of pancreatitis, or it can be caused by certain infections, medication, metabolic disorders, trauma or shock.



If your cat is diagnosed with pancreatitis, your vet will probably advise you to withhold food for a short period to give the pancreas a chance to rest and recover. He also may administer fluids and electrolytes to combat dehydration and may prescribe other treatments to manage potential complications or to address the suspected cause of the pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis in Dogs - What is It?

Just what is pancreatitis in dogs, anyway? It's simply an inflammation of your pooch's pancreas. So what's a pancreas? It's a little gland located near the stomach. It has two main jobs--to produce enzymes that help digest food, and to produce insulin, which regulates the blood sugar level.



Miniature Schnauzers have a genetic susceptibility to this condition. Yorkshire and Silky Terriers, Miniature Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels also seem to be more susceptible. It tends to occur more frequently in dogs that are older, overweight or diabetic.



Types of Pancreatitis in Dogs



Pancreatitis is usually classified as either chronic or acute. What's the difference? Well, the chronic version is actually milder, but it's a continuing inflammatory disease that often causes slow, irreversible damage over a period of time. On the other hand, while acute pancreatitis is usually more severe, when it's over, there's no long-term damage to your dog's internal organs.



Another less common (fortunately) type is called hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. In this case, the damage is so severe that portions of the pancreas are actually destroyed. It can be fatal without early intervention and aggressive treatment.



Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs



What a dog eats has a great deal to do with whether or not he'll get pancreatitis. Dogs with diets high in fat, or who have been fed greasy table scraps (or have recently gotten into the garbage) have a greater chance of ending up with this condition.



Even one high-fat meal can cause pancreatitis in a dog who normally eats a moderate or low-fat diet. That's why vet clinics see a lot of sick dogs around holiday times. We just can't resist sharing our high-fat leftovers with furry family members.



Some other factors contributing to the development of pancreatitis include:
* Obesity
* Lack of exercise
* Long-term use of corticosteroids
* Cushing's disease
* Chronic kidney or liver disease
* Trauma
* Recent abdominal surgery



Symptoms of Pancreatitis



Because chronic pancreatitis symptoms are milder, they're often mistaken for other illnesses, or just an upset tummy. Besides obvious signs of abdominal pain--such as standing with front legs down on the ground as in a bowing position--here are some other symptoms you can watch for:
* Fever
* Lack of appetite
* Depression, lethargy, weakness
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea or yellow, greasy stool
* Irritability
* Rapid breathing and/or heart rate
* Difficulty breathing



Diagnosis and Treatment For Pancreatitis



Canine pancreatitis can easily be mistaken for several other conditions, which makes it tougher for your vet to make an accurate diagnosis. But he'll do his best by taking your dog's medical history (especially what he's been eating lately), doing a thorough physical exam, and running some laboratory tests.



What your vet decides to do for your dog will depend on how severe the case is, and how long your dog's been sick. Dogs with a mild case of chronic pancreatitis may be treated at home, while those with a severe case of acute pancreatitis will require hospitalization and intensive care. A dog with pancreatitis can develop severe complications, so it's important to follow your vet's instructions to the letter, and entrust your pooch to in-patient clinic care if necessary.



Will It Happen Again?



Pancreatitis in dogs can be a very unpredictable condition. Most of the time, if your dog suffered a one-time mild episode, chances of his full recovery are quite good. Simply avoiding high fat foods may be all he needs to do to keep from going through it all over again. That means not sharing holiday goodies with your pooch, and keeping him out of the garbage.



It would also be a good idea, if your Chunky Charlie has a serious weight problem, to work on eliminating that extra fat. Add exercise gradually, and help your pooch regain his slim, youthful figure so he can ward off future pancreatitis problems. He'll feel a lot better, too!

Recognizing the Symptoms and Causes of Canine Pancreatitis and How to Treat It

Will the dog die from canine pancreatitis?



Can something be done to make sure it doesn't appear?



If my dog has Canine Pancreatitis, how do I treat it?



For the first question, you should know that only the cases that get to severe stages can become fatal. The other two questions can be answered if you know how the Pancreas works and what it is.



The disease appears when those enzymes leak instead of getting to the intestines. The end result is an inflammation, which as it advances, so does the severity of the disease.



There are a number of causes which make this disease to appear. Below you can see some of the possible causes for Canine pancreatitis:



- a diet with too much fat
- obesity
- a disease of the liver
- traumas
- drug reactions
- giving the pet too many leftover that are fatty



Some of the symptoms that you can expect:



- decreased appetite
- abdomen that hurts
- greasy and yellow feces
- dehydration
- vomit



If the pancreatitis is acute, these are the symptoms that you can expect:



- body wide spread infection
- heart rhythm that is irregular
- organs get inflamed if they're in the vicinity of the pancreas



Another side effect of acute pancreatitis is that the dog might get a disseminated intravascular coagulation. To put it simply, this happens when the white blood cells increase and the blood clots. When the blood begins to clot it can't be reversed and it will kill the dog in most cases.



There are two main things you should do to treat him:



- giving him fluid therapy
- don't give him water or food for 1-2 days



When the dog doesn't get any water or food, the pancreas has the chance to stop the production of enzymes, so the inflammation isn't stimulated anymore. After one or two days, you can start reintroducing the food, and it should consist of food that is easy to digest, with low protein and fat. If the dog is dehydrated, they can receive fluids intravenously, so they get their electrolyte and hydration balance.



If you have reason to suspect that your dog suffers from canine pancreatitis, you should visit a doctor immediately.

Tell-Tale Signs of Canine Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis in dogs can occur in two forms: acute and chronic. If it manifests in acute bouts, the condition lasts for little time and no permanent damage is done. Chronic pancreatitis in dogs happens as a result of a fat diet and some specific medications and the situation is worse. The most serious form of canine pancreatitis is acute necrotizing pancreatitis. It happens very fast and dissolves the pancreas and all the organs that surround it. Death may occur if it is not taken care of.



Known causes of canine pancreatitis include obesity, elevated levels of lipids in the blood, ingestion of a very fatty meal decreased blood flow to the pancreas, medications such as steroids, pancreatic duct obstruction, toxins, chronic kidney disease, and infectious agents. Pancreatitis in dogs may also occur without a known cause.



Many times, bouts of pancreatitis occur during holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, when celebrations are accompanied by a lot of fatty foods. Dogs eating from their owner's table are at risk to develop pancreatitis.



The clinical signs of dog pancreatitis vary but may include the following:



- vomiting
- anorexia
- depression
- upper abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- severe weakness or collapse
- dehydration
- shock
- fever



Dogs show signs of abdominal pain by acting restless, panting, crying or wincing when picked up, standing with an arched back, or lying with the front end down and the rear end elevated.



The goal of treatment is to rest the pancreas, provide supportive care, and control complications. Treatment usually begins by withholding food, water, and oral medications for at least 24 hours in order to stop the stimulation of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. Food intake is started again after a few days and is usually a meal of a bland, easily digestible, low-fat food. The quantity and size of meals are gradually increased depending on your dog's response.



If the pancreatitis is caused by a medication, the medication should be stopped. If it is caused by a toxin, infection, or other condition, appropriate therapy of the underlying condition should be started.



The second major component of treatment is fluid therapy since water intake has been restricted. Fluids are given either subcutaneously or intravenously to treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.



Dogs who are experiencing severe pain can be treated with pain relievers. Antibiotics are often administered to protect against infection.



Aside from medication and treatment provided by a veterinarian, a dog with canine pancreatitis will need a good diet to help them fight the disease more efficiently.



Dogs who have repeated bouts of pancreatitis may need to be fed low-fat diets to prevent recurrence. In addition to low-fat diets, high carb diets with added nutritional supplements may be the change needed to prevent recurrence.

My Dog Has Pancreatitis - Now What?

Inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, is a painful condition characterized by an overproduction of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, which actually begin to damage the pancreatic tissue itself. Pancreatitis is seen most often in middle-aged, overweight female dogs, although any dog fed table scraps or fatty diets can come down with it. Heredity plays a strong role in pancreatitis, with miniature schnauzers, miniature poodles, and cocker spaniels seemingly at greater risk.



Signs of pancreatitis include loss of appetite, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and marked pain in the abdominal region, especially on the right side just behind the rib cage. Because of the similarity of the clinical signs, acute bouts of pancreatitis must be differentiated from other gastrointestinal disorders such as foreign bodies and intestinal obstructions.



Dogs with pancreatitis often assume a "praying" posture, with the front legs bent and the hind end stuck up in the air, in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain. With severe flare-ups, dehydration, shock and death can result if the pain and inflammation associated with the pancreatitis are not relieved promptly.



To diagnose pancreatitis, veterinarians often measure the blood levels of the pancreatic enzymes amylase and lipase, since one or both tend to be elevated during an acute attack. Yet these values can be unreliable at times. As a result, other more specific tests for pancreatitis, such as the pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) assay, may be used to confirm a diagnosis. Radiographs and ultrasound are also useful for ruling out other potential causes of the clinical signs, such as intestinal obstructions.



In the past, when treating pancreatitis, it was recommended that food be withheld for a minimum of 48 hours to prevent further digestive enzymes from being secreted by the pancreas. However, research has demonstrated that food should not be withheld in these dogs suffering from pancreatitis in order to maintain epithelial integrity within the intestines and to minimize the chances of bacterial overgrowth and septicemia. This is assuming, of course, that the vomiting caused by the pancreatitis can be controlled. A daily injection of the anti-nausea drug, maropitant (Cerenia), can be used to achieve this goal.



With pancreatitis, antibiotics are sometimes (but not always) indicated to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may be needed if dehydration is present or if the vomiting proves difficult to control. Finally, because pancreatitis is a painful condition, your dog should receive veterinary-prescribed pain medicine until the inflammation subsides.



Pancreatitis can be a recurring problem unless certain measures are implemented to minimize this risk. Failure to do this can put your dog at risk for developing diabetes mellitus, as digestive enzymes destroy the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas.



Steps you can take to help prevent pancreatitis include the following:



1. Switch your dog to a low-fat, easily digestible diet. Foods high in fat and high in protein should be avoided. Your veterinarian can help you choose a brand to use for your particular pet.



2. Be careful when offering treats to your dog. Make sure they are low in calories and in fat.



3. Inspect your yard daily and keep a watch when walking your dog for items he/she could get ahold of and eat. Dietary indiscretion is a major cause of pancreatitis.



4. If your dog is overweight, you need to get those excess pounds to disappear through a combination of exercise and calorie-restriction. Again, your veterinarian can help you determine the ideal weight for your dog and determine the daily caloric intake needed to achieve that desired weight.