Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the pancreas, a vital organ located near the stomach and small intestine. The pancreas produces enzymes essential for digestion and hormones like insulin, which regulates blood sugar. When inflamed, these digestive enzymes can prematurely activate within the pancreas, causing it to digest itself. In dogs, pancreatitis is often linked to eating fatty foods, but in cats, the cause is frequently unknown. Symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain (often a hunched posture), lethargy, fever, and decreased appetite. It can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Diagnosis involves blood tests and imaging. Treatment focuses on supportive care, pain management, anti-nausea medication, and fluid therapy, with a specially formulated low-fat diet often recommended during recovery.