Normally, when food is ingested, the pancreas secretes digestive agents that do not become active until they have found the food that was taken in and begin to assist in its digestion. In pancreatitis, the digestive agents become active before they are secreted from the pancreas, and thus, they begin to digest the pancreas itself. Bad dietary habits are also associated with pancreatitis. As this disease seems to be based on a diet of unnatural foods for the cat, it stands to reason that a natural, holistic diet would bring relief.
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What is Pancreatitis?
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Pancreatitis is either acute (sudden onset), or chronic (on again / off again) in scope and degree, and is a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Any of the following symptoms may be present: vomiting; diarrhea; lack of appetite; abdominal pain; dehydration; fever; depression; weakness; weight-loss.
Note: Chronic pancreatitis, often affecting cats, is generally more difficult to recognize and symptoms may come and go.
Help for Pancreatitis
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Supportive treatment (in which the pancreas heals on its own) is the only available treatment. A vet will likely begin treatment by withholding all but IV fluids for 2-5 days. This allows the pancreas to slow down and become less reactive to the ingestion of food and water.
Natural Remedies That Might Control Pain By Controlling the Disease
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Veterinary treatment is always necessary in cases of pancreatitis, but herbal and homeopathic remedies can be administered along with conventional treatment or as a means to control the conditions future recurrence.
Some homeopathic agents are quite beneficial to the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. One of these is Milk Thistle. It is a high-powered antioxidant; removing system toxins at the cellular level, thus alleviating the cats symptoms.
Burdock is also an herb for the treatment and future prevention of new attacks of the ailment. Burdock has antibiotic and blood purification properties.
A bio-chemic tissue salt called Nat. Phos helps break down and digest fats in the system.
Nat. Sulph helps with liver detoxification, which is a contributing factor to pancreatitis.
What Else Can Help?
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Holistic experts agree that the best diet for cats (and dogs) with pancreatitis is a raw diet. The belief is that processed foods are damaging to most animals, if not people too. The cat's anatomy is one good argument for a raw, meat-based diet. Cats have sharp teeth, short intestines, and their digestive secretions are highly concentrated. This is indicative of a cat's natural need for a diet of raw protein.
• Slowly add fresh, raw, unprocessed food into the cat's daily diet, and simultaneously reduce a bit of the usual commercial food.
• Vary your cat's diet, but be watchful for allergic reactions.
• Exercise on a regular basis aids digestion and reduces boredom and stress.
• Grow some "cat grass" to keep in your home for your cat that naturally chooses the grass to induce vomiting and rid itself of hairballs or other toxins.
• Adding some green sprouts to the cat's diet is another option.
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