|
|
|
|
Pancreatitis Pancreatitis in the cat can present concurrently with cholangiohepatitis or inflammatory bowel disease. Causes also include trauma and infection.The signs of pancreatitis are non specific, affected cats can be fevered, lethargic and inappetant. Some may have high blood glucose levels (interference with insulin production) and jaundice. The clinical signs are indistinguishable from many liver or gastrointestinal disorders. In order to achieve a diagnosis abdominal X-rays, ultrasound scanning, blood biochemistry and the feline TLI test may all be required. Occasionally the diagnosis is only made when surgical exploration of the abdomen is undertaken. Supportive nutrition and maintenance of hydration are important, nasogastric tube feeding and intravenous fluid therapy should be undertaken. If abdominal pain is present then painkillers may be administered and drugs to control vomiting can be used if this is a problem. Those cases with raised blood glucose levels will benefit from insulin supplementation and antibiotics should be used if infection is though to be the cause of the disease process. When the animal resumes feeding small meals should be offered at frequent intervals. This disease, especially if complicated by hepatic lipidosis, can be difficult to manage, some acute cases can become fatal. |
|