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Digestivas

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas. It can be mild or life-threatening. It is common after eating very fatty food (typical after the Christmas holidays).

Severe🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats

This may be a veterinary emergency

URGENT if there is vomiting with abdominal pain and a hunched posture, especially after a large meal. In cats, any lethargy with anorexia warrants a check-up.

Symptoms to watch for

  • • Repeated vomiting
  • • Severe abdominal pain (hunched, "praying" posture)
  • • Lethargy and refusal to eat
  • • Diarrhoea
  • • Fever
  • • In cats the signs are more subtle: only lethargy and anorexia

Causes

Often triggered by a very fatty meal. Other factors: obesity, certain medications, trauma, metabolic diseases. Predisposed breeds: Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier.

Diagnosis

Specific blood test (pancreatic lipase cPLI/fPLI), abdominal ultrasound. The clinical signs are suggestive, but confirmation is from the laboratory.

Treatment

Hospitalisation in moderate-to-severe cases: fluid therapy, pain control (essential), anti-emetics, careful reintroduction of a low-fat diet. The pain of pancreatitis is very intense.

Prevention

Do NOT give fatty food or human leftovers. Maintain a healthy weight. A lifelong low-fat diet if there has been a previous episode.

When should you see the vet?

URGENT if there is vomiting with abdominal pain and a hunched posture, especially after a large meal. In cats, any lethargy with anorexia warrants a check-up.

Consult a vet24 h emergency vets nearby

WetAi guides you and takes you to the vet; it does not diagnose.

Notice: this information is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It does NOT replace diagnosis or treatment by a registered veterinary surgeon. If you notice any symptoms, always consult a professional. Wallapets accepts no responsibility for the use of this information without veterinary supervision.

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