Pancreatic enzyme supplements for cats are designed to assist your kitty’s digestion, especially if she has an underlying condition that is affecting the pancreas. The pancreas secretes enzymes into the cat’s small intestine where they break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into smaller particles that can be absorbed into the body to nourish it. When certain conditions affect the pancreas or cause it to stop producing enough enzymes, your cat may become malnourished. This results in weight loss, lack of appetite and delayed growth in kittens, diarrhea, and vomiting among other symptoms.
Generally speaking, pancreatitis is an inflammation of the gland known as the pancreas; specifically this time we will be discussing pancreatitis in cats. Pancreatitis is a serious business, cats can die from lack of treatment. While it is rare for humans to die from pancreatitis the same cannot be said for our feline friends. Cats are extremely sensitive animals and have a hard time fighting off infection so any little thing can cause them to go downhill fast. It has been noted that an inappropriate diet will stress the pancreas which in turn makes way for inflammation. Some foods that are not easily digestible or high in fat content are the biggest culprits
The symptoms of this horrible disease usually include but are not limited to :
-Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
-Vomiting
-Weight loss
The characteristics of pancreatitis in cats vary depending on the severity of the condition. Pancreatitis may be acute or chronic. Chronic pancreatitis is when inflammation has been going on for a long period of time whereas acute pancreatitis is where the infection hits all at once. In some cases cats will recover from pancreatitis yet in others it can become a vicious circle that leads to death, especially if treatment isn’t sought out fast enough . Treatment for this disease often involves providing your pet with medicine and special food that doesn’t strain or inflame his pancreas while allowing him to regain his strength and energy levels.
There are ways you can help your cat avoid contracting this horrible disease:
-Avoid feeding your cat table scraps and instead feed him an appropriate diet as prescribed by your vet
-Keep your cat at a healthy weight
-Know the symptoms of pancreatitis in cats and get them treated right away if that’s what they are suffering from
-Do not allow your cat to become obese or overweight
Pancreatitis in cats is no laughing matter, so be sure you know how to spot the signs early on before it becomes fatal. And remember, when in doubt always contact your vet for advice. They will be able to provide you with more insight into this disease and help you come up with a treatment plan.