Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. It can be sudden and short-term, known as acute pancreatitis, or ongoing, called chronic pancreatitis. The pancreas has two key activities: making metabolic hormones called insulin and glucagon that regulate blood sugar and making digestive enzymes that help break down food. Pancreatic enzymes are powerful. They can potentially break down parts of the body and the pancreas itself, so they are normally sent to the gut in an inactive state. Once they reach the intestines, they are activated to digest food. Pancreatitis can disrupt this process, and enzymes can be activated too soon inside the pancreas, leading to symptoms and self-digestion of the pancreas ¹.
It’s not exactly clear what causes pancreatitis in cats. It used to be considered a rare disease in cats, but recent studies show that it’s more common than originally thought. Pancreatitis is linked to some cases of viral or parasite infections like toxoplasmosis or pancreatic flukes, and other problems like an injury, but these aren’t common causes. Pancreatitis is often only a minor part of these conditions, too. Other less common causes are tumors, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and certain medications. Pancreatitis in cats also often happens along with liver or gallbladder disease, but the exact cause is generally unknown. In most cases, it happens suddenly, without a reason ¹.
Symptoms of pancreatitis in cats can include loss of appetite, lack of energy, vomiting, yellow eyes and gums, fever, belly pain, weight loss, dehydration, and diarrhea. In severe cases, pancreatitis can cause shock and sudden death ¹.
Ringbio‘s Feline Pancreatitis Rapid Test Kit can help you detect if your cat has pancreatitis within 10 minutes. This rapid test kit is based on an immunochromatographic assay to detect feline pancreatitis in feline plasma or serum, which is rapid, accurate and easy-to-operate. Check here, https://www.ringbio.com/products/pet/feline-pancreatitis-rapid-test-kit
Source:
(1) Feline Pancreatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment …. https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/pancreatitis-in-cats.
(2) Pancreatitis in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and …. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/health-care/cat-conditions/pancreatitis-in-cats.
(3) Pancreatitis in Cats: Signs, Care & Treatment (Vet Answer). https://www.catster.com/ask-the-vet/pancreatitis-in-cats-vet-answer/.
(4) Pancreatitis in Cats | Great Pet Care. https://www.greatpetcare.com/cat-health/pancreatitis-in-cats/.
(5) Feline Pancreatitis | Cornell University College of Veterinary …. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-pancreatitis.