How to Diagnose Pancreatitis in a Cat

Imagine the scenario: Your adored inside only cat wakes up from a nap and seems to have trouble walking. Then, this playful companion stretches and seems to favor her left rear leg. Instead of playing, she spends most of the day curled in a tight ball and sleeping. Not even her favorite toys or food can coax her out of her bed. Of course, it happens on Saturday and the veterinarian says it is probably not an emergency so the cat can be seen during normal office hours on Monday.Over the weekend, the cat barely eats and rises from her bed only to drink and use the litter box. Her limping is more pronounced by the time she gets into see the vet.

Things You'll Need

  • Thermometer
  • Notepad
  • Heating pad

Instructions

    • 1

      Observe your cat. Often, the first sign of pancreatitis is less food consumption. Like any person, when a cat's stomach hurts, he doesn't feel like eating or drinking. This should include any observations of the way your cat eats. If, for instance, the cat normally comes running to the food dish and instead has to be coaxed into eating, mention it to the veterinarian.

    • 2

      Talk to your vet. The vet may be the expert in animal health in general, but you know your pet better than she does. Make notes about the behavior you observe in your pet and give those notes to the vet. If the only symptom you mention to the veterinarian is that the cat is limping, you will spend more money on unnecessary x-rays and an orthopedic specialist that your cat doesn't need.

    • 3

      Stick with a vet that knows your cat. Even if the veterinarian has full access to your cat's medical records, he might not recognize behavioral differences if he does not know that cat. Also, remember that cats will instinctually hide their injury or illness from unfamiliar people. The cat might try to hide her pain when dealing with an unknown vet.

    • 4

      Monitor your cat's temperature. Using a rectal thermometer and a generous coat of petroleum jelly, take the cat's temperature. You can also look for visual signs that your cat has a fever. Often when a cat's temperature spikes, the cat will begin to shake and shiver.

    • 5

      Consider a blood test. The blood test can confirm that the cat's enzyme levels are at unusual levels and she is suffering from pancreatitis. A blood test can also rule out other potential problems, giving the vet a better idea of how to diagnose your cat. For example, diabetes in cats can lead to a nerve injury which would also explain the limping scenario, as would an injury to the leg or even a foreign object in the cat's stomach or intestinal tract.

    • 6

      Give your cat a heating pad set on the lowest setting to sleep on. The warmth on her injured stomach helps her to relax and relaxing helps her get better. One of the worst problems with pancreatitis is that the pain makes the cat not want to eat. Not eating makes the illness worse. A warm towel or heating pad can help ease the pain and get the cat to eat.

    • 7

      Check your cat for dehydration. The easiest way to do this is to hold your cat for a second by the scruff of the neck. when you let go, the scruff should easily fall back into place. If it takes longer than a few seconds, your cat may be dehydrated. If the cat is showing signs of dehydration or not eating and using the bathroom at all, take her immediately to the emergency vet clinic.

    • 8

      Prepare for battle. There are two major medications that are given to cats with pancreatitis. Both are pills. Giving a cat a pill is a lot like telling the wind where to blow. Often, hiding the pill in her food won't work. Cats will simply eat around the foul-smelling medicine or spit it out.The vet has a pill popper which will allow you to throw the pill to the back of your cat's throat. Then, you can rub her throat to make her swallow. Even with this device, the cat can sometimes spit the pill out. The general treatment for pancreatitis requires pills four times a day, an antibiotic and something to make it easier for her to eat.