Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs: Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect both cats and dogs. The pancreas is a vital organ that produces enzymes for digestion and hormones like insulin to regulate blood sugar. When it becomes inflamed, these functions can be severely compromised, leading to a range of health issues. This article will delve into the signs, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of both acute and chronic pancreatitis in our feline and canine companions.

What is Pancreatitis?

The pancreas is a small, elongated organ located near the stomach and small intestine. It plays an important role in both the digestive and endocrine systems. In the digestive system, it produces enzymes that help break down food. In the endocrine system, it produces hormones like insulin and glucagon. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, which can lead to the premature activation of digestive enzymes within the organ itself. This can cause the pancreas to start digesting its own tissue, leading to pain, swelling, and a host of other signs.

How Do Pets Get Pancreatitis?

In most cases, the cause of pancreatitis is unknown in both cats and dogs. Some pets experience acute pancreatitis, meaning it comes on suddenly. Other pets have chronic pancreatitis where it develops over time. Both types can range from mild to severe and can be quite painful.

A variety of risk factors can lead to pancreatitis in dogs and cats, including:

• Dietary Indiscretion – Overeating or consuming a mix of items, such as those found in the trash, or high-fat human foods like bacon, hot dogs, and fast food, can cause inflammation of the pancreas.
• Genetics – Certain breeds, such as Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkies, are more prone to developing this condition.
• Medications – Some medicines can cause side effects by raising blood fat levels.
• Concurrent Diseases – Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, chronic gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, hypothyroid disease, and Cushing’s disease in dogs and cats can contribute to the development of pancreatitis.

Signs of Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition characterized by milder but more intermittent signs such as anorexia, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Acute pancreatitis, on the other hand, develops suddenly and is more severe, often necessitating hospitalization. Both conditions can share similar signs, including a poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosing Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs

Diagnosing acute pancreatitis can be challenging, especially in cats, because the signs are often vague and can mimic other conditions. It’s important to inform your veterinarian about all the medications your pet is taking to rule out any potential causes. Make sure to report any signs your pet is experiencing, such as increased urination, changes in energy level, hair loss, and weight changes (both loss and gain). This information can be important in diagnosing other conditions as well.

Veterinarians use a combination of methods to make a diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats and dogs, including:

• Physical Examination: Checking for signs of pain, dehydration, and fever.
• Imaging: Ultrasound and X-rays can help visualize the pancreas and identify inflammation or other abnormalities that can cause similar signs, such as gastrointestinal foreign bodies.
• Blood Tests: A complete blood count (CBC) can provide valuable information about your pet’s overall health by assessing various types of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Your veterinarian might also order a chemistry panel, also known as a metabolic panel, which measures different substances in the blood, including kidney and liver function, blood sugar levels, and electrolyte balance. Elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, specifically amylase and lipase, can suggest pancreatitis, although these tests are not always conclusive.
• Urine Test: Urine testing is helpful for detecting signs of diabetes and infection.

Diagnosing pancreatitis in pets often requires multiple tests. For instance, a pet’s pancreas might look normal on an ultrasound, but a specific blood test for pancreatic enzymes—canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) for dogs and feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) for cats—could show elevated levels, indicating pancreatitis. On the other hand, a pet with abnormal ultrasound results might still have normal lipase levels (PLl).

Treating Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs

Unfortunately, there is no single cure for pancreatitis, and supportive medical care is vital for pets with acute pancreatitis. The good news is that surgery is rarely needed. Instead, your pet may be admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluids, especially if they haven’t been eating or drinking or if they have vomiting or diarrhea. In-hospital monitoring includes regular checks of vital signs, blood pressure, hydration status, blood glucose levels, and bloodwork, including electrolyte levels.

Pain management is a key part of the treatment, and your pet will receive pain medication intravenously while in the hospital. You will likely be given oral pain medication to continue at home.

Anti-nausea medications are also important for managing pancreatitis. Your veterinarian may prescribe a combination of these to help control nausea and vomiting. Additionally, appetite stimulants may be used to encourage your pet to eat. While antacids do not directly treat pancreatitis, they may be prescribed if your pet has other gastrointestinal issues.

In 2023, a new treatment for acute pancreatitis in dogs called Panoquell-CA1 was conditionally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Conditional approval means the drug can only be used in cases that match its original intended use, not for off-label purposes. Panoquell-CA1 works by limiting the movement of inflammatory white blood cells into the pancreas, thereby reducing inflammation. The treatment involves three injections given over three days. Although it will take years to fully understand the impacts of this treatment, it is believed to shorten hospitalization and recovery times.

Before Panoquell-CA1 was released, the only available treatments were the supportive measures mentioned above. While this new drug helps reduce inflammation, it is not a complete cure for pancreatitis. Therefore, supportive treatments are still essential to ensure your pet’s comfort and to accelerate recovery. Some complex or severe cases of pancreatitis will likely still rely heavily on these other aspects of care for the best outcomes.

Nutrition Management of Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs

Nutrition is important in the treatment of pancreatitis. Since pets with this condition often haven’t been eating well for days, withholding food is generally not recommended. Instead, pets with mild pancreatitis can start eating slowly with supportive care. If your pet’s appetite doesn’t return within 48 hours, your veterinarian may recommend a feeding tube.

Feeding tubes can also be used for hydration and administering medications. They are typically well-tolerated by both cats and dogs, with few complications.

Nasogastric tubes are inserted through the nose and extend down into the stomach. These tubes are usually the first choice because they require only mild sedation and are suitable for short-term liquid diet feedings in the hospital.

Esophagostomy tubes, on the other hand, are placed in the esophagus. These larger tubes allow for longer-term feeding of canned foods blended with water. If your pet needs prolonged feeding and recovery, this type of tube can be in place for a longer period and used at home.

For dogs, the long-term recommendation is to feed a low-fat diet and avoid high-fat treats and human foods. During the recovery period, some dogs may not immediately eat low-fat food. In such cases, the priority is to keep your pet eating, and you can transition them to a new diet later.

For cats, the recommendation is different. There is a lack of medical evidence to support the idea that dietary changes can prevent pancreatitis in cats. Therefore, it is not typically advised to switch a cat to a low-fat diet unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian.  Your veterinarian can recommend the best diet for your cat’s individual needs.

Pancreatitis can recur, and it is more likely to happen in patients who have had a previous episode. Even with these precautions, some pets may still experience a recurrence, but the chances should be lower if the dietary recommendations are strictly followed.

If you suspect your pet may be experiencing pancreatitis, contact your family veterinarian. If they are unavailable or if you believe your pet needs emergency care, find the nearest MedVet.

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