Pancreatitis in Cats - Factsheet

Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. This organ is responsible for producing the enzymes needed for digestion, and is situated close to the stomach, at the front of the abdomen.

Causes

Until recently the condition has been little understood, and much of the information has therefore been based on what happens in humans and dogs.

1. High fat diet.

2. High density diet
- the sudden need to produce enzymes to digest a large amount of food can trigger an inflammation.

3. Renal failure
- the toxin build-up can affect this sensitive organ

4. Other causes
Age seems to be significant and usually relates to severity – young cats tend to have a more aggressive form of the disease whilst older animals are more likely to have milder clinical signs that are recurrent.

Clinical Signs

These relate to the disturbance in digestion and the results of the inflammation itself. Classically there is diarrhoea which may be accompanied by the cat being sick. This can be just food regurgitation or bilious.

In severe conditions, the degree of inflammation leads to a dehydration and 'shock' – the cat appears hunched up, and the skin becomes less mobile.

Pancreatitis can be painful and the cat may have a raised body temperature.

Diagnosis

It is not always possible to distinguish this condition from a genuine gastric infection, which is usually a less serious problem. Physical examination and palpation (feeling the abdomen) may give clues, but blood tests are usually needed to confirm the problem. Since the duct from the pancreas lies very close to that from the gall bladder some liver markers get elevated, for example bilirubin. Calcium levels can decrease as the free form is mopped up by the inflamed fatty tissue around the pancreas itself.

Finally, the glucose level could be upset – the pancreas contains the insulin producing cells and if these cannot function properly the body's glucose cannot be converted into storage carbohydrates. In effect, a temporary diabetes develops, though this is usually transient if treatment is prompt.

Recently a specific blood test has been developed in America and this is now considered to be conclusive. However as it takes 3 weeks to get the result, we tend to only use it for confirming the disease as treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.

Radiography, ultrasound and surgical procedures can also be helpful.

Treatment

The principal aims are to reduce the workload of the pancreas and to reduce the inflammation. Injections are usually needed since tablets would only stimulate the organ as they pass through.

In moderately severe cases intravenous fluids help rehydrate the cat, and flush out the toxins.

Dietary changes can reduce the chance of a further attack:

Diet Considerations for a Pancreatic Cat

Reduce the fat content - avoid foil-wrapped cat food

Reduce the density of the diet - go for lighter foods, where more volume is needed for the same amount of calories, since the slower digestion will prevent a pancreatic 'overload'

Avoid dairy products - they have high mineral, fat and protein contents

Use easily digestible foods – these will have shorter molecules that do not have to be broken down as much before they can be used. They are also easily absorbed, so less is needed which can be important if the cat is not eating properly. There are prescription diets available.

Many cats cannot take dried food – most are simply too energy-dense to be digested properly when the pancreas isn't working very well. Unfortunately though, many commercially available tins are still be too high in protein ad fat for some cats. Hence the need for these specially prepared diets.

Complications

Some cats, particularly the older ones, have damage to their pancreas that cannot be fully repaired. They are then left unable to produce insulin properly, in which case they become diabetic. This is not a death sentence – many cats live long lives with insulin injections, but it is a hassle and needs commitment from their owners, to say nothing about the costs involved.

To reduce the risk of this happening, and indeed to reduce the risk of pancreatitis developing again….

1. Follow our dietary advice

2. Make sure all medication is taken

3 .Don't let you cat get fat – it is the single most likely factor in producing diabetes after pancreatitis.