The pancreas is described as a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system.
As an endocrine gland it produces hormones such as insulin. The pancreas also secretes pancreatic juice which contains digestive enzymes that in the small intestine, help break down carbohydrates, protein and fat. Pancreatitis is a result of inflammation of the pancreas.
There are two types of Pancreatitis – acute and chronic.
Signs of acute pancreatitis can be rapid heart beat, tenderness and/or pain in the abdominal area, fever, vomiting,depression, hunched up posture, dehydration, abdominal distention. High blood sugar is common, especially in cats as they are extremely prone to diabetes.
The more common form is chronic pancreatitis. Food passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed due to a lack of digestive enzymes. This can lead to malnutrition and anemia.
In cats, both digestive enzymes and the hormone insulin are affected, causing the development of diabetes.
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis can be loss of hair, sudden weight loss and changes in feces, along with the same signs of acute pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis can also be caused by a pet’s sensitivity to medication. In this case, medication should be stopped immediately.
Pancreatitis is a very painful condition and in either case, your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If the inflammation is severe, it can be life-threatening.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Sometimes a low fat diet is also recommended. See more: Home Cooking For Your Pet
