Do you know what pancreatitis is in cats? The disease that affects many dogs and humans can also appear in cats. Feline pancreatitis is a relatively common disease that affects the animal's pancreas and can have many health consequences. Identifying the disease early on is critical, as pancreatitis in cats is serious and delay in treatment can end up compromising the entire body.the functioning of the pet's organism. Paws of the House spoke with Estela Pazos, a veterinarian specializing in feline medicine. She explained exactly what feline pancreatitis is, what causes it, how to identify the disease and what should be done to treat a cat with the problem. Check it out!

What is pancreatitis? The disease weakens a key organ for feline digestion

Although relatively common, many owners have doubts about what pancreatitis is and what causes it. Veterinarian Estela Pazos explains that feline pancreatitis is an inflammation of the animal's pancreas. This organ's main function is to produce enzymes that help digest essential nutrients, such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Usually, enzymes are found in the pancreas.In feline pancreatitis, however, these enzymes are activated before the optimal time. As a result, they cause autodigestion of the organ, leading to inflammation.

In the case of pancreatitis, cats of any breed, sex and age can develop the disease. However, some experts say that pancreatitis in elderly cats is more common. At this age, even more care must be taken, since immunity is weaker, which can make treatment difficult. In addition to pancreatitis in elderly cats, some professionals also say that Siamese cats are more likely to develop pancreatitis.are more likely to suffer from the disease.

The difficulty in determining the cause of feline pancreatitis means that many cases are considered idiopathic

A major problem with pancreatitis in cats is the difficulty in discovering its origin. The specialist explains that the causes of pancreatitis in cats are still not very well defined, which means that a large proportion of cases are considered idiopathic (when the origin is not known). However, she says that there are some aspects that facilitate the onset of the disease: "we have some factors that can cause pancreatitis.can contribute, such as the presence of some intestinal parasites, ingestion of toxic products, presence of other inflammatory or infectious diseases, immune-mediated origin, adverse reactions to medications and the presence of inflammatory bowel disease," he explains.

What is the difference between chronic pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis in cats?

Knowing what pancreatitis is, it is also important to understand that there are two types of the disease: acute or chronic. "In acute pancreatitis in cats, the symptoms appear suddenly and resolve with supportive treatment, and an accurate diagnosis is not always reached," explains Estela. Contrary to what happens in the acute condition, chronic feline pancreatitis develops slowly, in a mannerthat the organ is gradually worn down and symptoms take longer to appear.

"There is a persistent inflammation in this organ that slowly deteriorates its cells until it reaches the point where the pancreas no longer produces the enzymes that aid in the digestive process or insulin, leading to a disease called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency", she explains. In addition, the specialist says that it is also common to have an "exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis". In thisAt the time of pancreatitis, cats that have had the disease for a long time suddenly show symptoms.

Symptoms of feline pancreatitis are common to several diseases

The signs of pancreatitis in cats are common to other diseases, which makes diagnosis and even treatment more difficult. "The main symptom is partial or total loss of appetite and, consequently, weight loss. Lethargy and prostration is another very frequent symptom, as well as vomiting. Diarrhoea can also occur and it is common for these cats to become dehydrated and with icteric mucous membranes(yellowish)".

Pancreatitis: cats with the condition can also develop diabetes

One of the great dangers of feline pancreatitis is that it often does not happen alone. Inflammation in the pancreas can lead to several other health problems, such as feline diabetes. In addition to the production of enzymes, the pancreas also produces hormones, including insulin, which is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose circulating in the blood. "If the cat has pancreatitisChronic feline pancreatitis can cause a destruction of the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. Consequently, it causes a progressive reduction in the secretion and release of this hormone in the body, leading to the onset of diabetes, "explains Estela. In addition, she explains that, because of the loss of appetite and weight caused by pancreatitis, cats with the disease canalso present hepatic lipidosis as a consequence.

Pancreatitis in cats is difficult to diagnose

Pancreatitis in cats is serious mainly because it is difficult to have a quick and accurate diagnosis, which directly impacts the treatment of the disease. With very common symptoms that can be related to several other health problems, doubts about what causes pancreatitis in cats also make it difficult to understand the disease. Therefore, in order to have an accurate diagnosis it is necessary toa professional evaluation and a series of laboratory tests: "It is necessary to perform ultrasound and abdominal radiography and complementation with blood tests, including specific tests for the evaluation of pancreatitis in cats such as feline pancreatic lipase and feline trypsinoid immunoreactivity (fTLI)", advises the veterinarian.

Treatment of pancreatitis in cats is focused on supportive therapy

Pancreatitis in cats is serious, but fortunately, it can be treated. Although there is no specific remedy for pancreatitis, cats can be given supportive treatments that take care of the symptoms and consequences of the disease. "Supportive treatment is given to correct dehydration, nausea and vomiting, pain control, diarrhea management and, if necessary, the following are also usedantibiotics and corticoids," Estela advises.

In addition, some vitamins can help relieve inflammation: "The prescription of antioxidants such as vitamins A and C helps to decrease oxidative stress in cells, improving inflammation and tissue protection. Supplementation with vitamin B12 may be necessary since most cats with pancreatitis are deficient," he adds. It is very important that the treatment ofpancreatitis in cats should be started as soon as possible. As it is a silent disease, it is important to always keep an eye on your pet's health. If you notice any symptoms, take your pet to the vet immediately.

After cure of pancreatitis, cats need to undergo dietary changes

Cats cured of feline pancreatitis also need to undergo dietary changes. With the disease, the pancreas becomes weakened and therefore has difficulty producing enzymes to digest nutrients. Therefore, it is essential that the cat's diet is adapted to include foods that are easier to digest. Estela explains that this nutritional support is essentialin the treatment of pancreatitis in cats: "The food should be chosen according to the tests and clinical condition of the patient, but in general it should be easily digestible and have a balance between proteins, fats in moderate quantity and with good quality and digestibility, and carbohydrates. The diet should help prevent the loss of muscle mass and restore the body, "he says.

In addition, the specialist points out that even if pancreatitis in cats causes loss of appetite and difficulty in digesting food, the animal should never be fasted. "If the cat cannot feed itself, a feeding tube may be necessary until it feeds again spontaneously", she adds.