Effective Treatment Methods for Feline Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis primarily occurs due to damage or obstruction in the majority of the pancreas's exocrine part, which consists of exocrine cells, or due to injury to the pancreatic ducts. This condition leads to inflammation.
Cats suffering from pancreatitis typically exhibit common symptoms such as a lack of energy, decreased appetite, and varying degrees of weight loss. Some may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, rapid breathing, increased thirst, and frequent urination. However, these symptoms can vary greatly from one cat to another and often do not manifest simultaneously.
Diagnosis: There are two primary methods—fat fecal analysis and muscle fecal analysis. The fat fecal method involves taking 20 grams of feces, staining it with a 70% alcohol saturated Sudan III solution, and observing the presence of large amounts of neutral fat droplets (ranging from red to orange) to make a diagnosis. The muscle fecal analysis method requires adding 30% acetic acid to a fecal smear, covering it with a coverslip, and examining it under a 20x magnification to confirm the presence of striated muscle fibers.
Western Medical Treatment: This includes symptomatic and supportive therapy. Pain relief can be achieved through the intramuscular injection of medications like atropine and promethazine (even in cats without apparent abdominal pain, early administration of painkillers is crucial). Antibiotic and antiinflammatory treatments may include kanamycin and cephalosporins. To inhibit pancreatic secretion, atropine can be administered intramuscularly. In cases of dehydration, timely fluid replacement is essential. If the condition worsens and signs of shock or hypoproteinemia appear, plasma or whole blood transfusions should be administered promptly.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment: For cats with concurrent bile duct diseases and symptoms like conjunctival jaundice and petechiae on the skin, treatment focuses on soothing the liver, regulating qi, and promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis. The herbal formula includes 3g of bupleurum, 3g of angelica, 2g of chuanxiong, 2g of safflower, 4g of artemisia, 3g of lonicera, and 3g of rehmannia, all boiled and administered once a day. For cats with symptoms like anorexia, loose stools, and a yellowish greasy tongue coating, the treatment emphasizes clearing heat, extinguishing fire, and strengthening the spleen to eliminate stagnation. The formula includes 5g of tangerine peel, 1g of pinellia, 2g of zhizi, 2g of amomum, 3g of山药, 2g of mung bean, 3g of longdan, 3g of pueraria, 2g of poria, and 2g of three kinds of herbs. This is also boiled and administered once a day.
During treatment, it is important to reduce the secretion of pancreatic exocrine fluids. Clinically, this is often achieved through methods such as esophageal and abdominal gastrostomy, which not only reduce the stimulation of exocrine secretions but also serve to supplement nutrition. Additionally, incorporating pancreatic enzyme or powder preparations into the cat's food can also be an effective treatment strategy.
