Pancreatitis
Pancreatic disorders occur frequently in the dog and cat. The
pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that produces enzymes which aid
in the digestion of food. It also produces some hormones such as
insulin which are secreted into the blood. If, because of injury or
disease, these digestive enzymes become activated within the
pancreas before they are released, they will begin digesting the
pancreas itself. This self-digestion causes severe inflammation
called Pancreatitis which is associated with pain and tenderness of
the abdomen. Pancreatitis is usually classified as either acute
(occurs suddenly) or chronic (an ongoing condition).
The signs of pancreatitis usually occur suddenly in dogs and cats.
You ll need to be aware of the signs so you can get treatment for
your pet as soon as possible. A pet with pancreatitis will exhibit
some or all of the following signs: lack of appetite, frequent
vomiting and diarrhea which may contain blood. A pet may also drink
more water than usual and vomit it soon after consumption. Weakness,
inability to walk and abdominal tenderness or pain may be present.
Body temperature will vary in pets with pancreatitis, but usually
the temperature will be higher than normal at the onset of the
disease and then fall to below normal as the condition continues.
The eyes may become sunken, and the mouth and eyes may become very
dry, indicating dehydration. These signs are not unique to
pancreatitis; therefore your veterinarian may recommend tests to
differentiate pancreatitis from other diseases.
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Caring for your Senior Cat
Statistics show that cats, like people, are living longer. This is
great news! We all treasure the companionship we share with our
pets. We also hope to provide them the longest, happiest and
healthiest lives possible.
It may seem like only yesterday when you brought home that bright,
bouncy kitten. However, by 7 years, your cat has entered middle age.
At 12 years old, we consider cats to be “elderly,’ and at 15 or
above, the term “age’ could even apply. In reality, old age is never
just a number but rather a measure of the effects of aging on the
body’. Many variables affect aging, including genetics, nutrition
and environment. Although good genes remain a matter of luck, there
are a growing number of ways we can “slow the clock” and promote a
healthful, long life for our pets.
Comparative Ages of Cats and Humans
|
Cat |
Human |
| 1 year |
15 years |
| 2 years |
24 years |
| 5 years |
36 years |
| 7 years |
45 years |
| 12 years |
64 years |
| 15 years |
76 years |
| 18 years |
88 years |
| 21 years |
100 years |
As your cat ages, changes in behavior and physical condition
inevitably occur. Body systems begin to slow down. The coat and skin
change, joints stiffen, the senses are less keen. Just as in people,
several diseases increase in likelihood as cats age. Kidney disease,
heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer are
a few common ones. The good news is that many of these conditions
can be controlled or even prevented with early detection and
treatment. This is where pet owners, working closely with their
veterinarian, can make such a significant difference for their pets!
What signs should we look for in our senior feline?
Cats, as you know, are secretive creatures. It takes a watchful
companion to notice the first signs of illness. Any unusual symptoms
should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian as soon as
possible. These may include:
-
Change in water consumption (watch carefully for
an increase in volume)
-
Change in appetite
-
Lethargy or depression (listless behavior)
-
Change in urine production (watch carefully for
increased amounts of urine in the litterbox)
-
Constipation
-
Change in litterbox habits
-
Change in attitude (irritability)
-
Vomiting or diarrhea
-
Weight gain or weight loss
-
Bad breath
-
Lumps and bumps on the skin
-
Lapse in grooming habits
-
Stiffness, trouble jumping
What can my veterinarian do to help care for
our senior feline?
The most important way your veterinarian can help is by performing a
thorough review of the history and by doing a physical examination
on your cat on a regular basis. While an annual exam suffices for
younger pets, your veterinarian will want to see your older cat at
least every six months (realize six months for a cat equals 2 to 3
years in the life of a human). Special attention xviii be paid to
your cat’s teeth and gums, skin and coat, heart, lungs, kidneys,
digestive system, eyes and joints.
Your veterinarian will also perform several non-invasive tests and
procedures on a regular basis. This may include blood tests,
urinalysis, x-rays, EKO and blood pressure measurement (just as is
done on routine health examinations in people). These tests help
your veterinarian in two ways. First, your veterinarian can identify
early-stage disease when control or even prevention is possible (and
most cost-effective). Second, the tests will provide a yardstick
with which your doctor can measure changes should your cat become
ill in the future.
A proper diet and environment are critical for your cat’s health and
comfort. Your veterinarian and hospital staff are experts on the
special needs of your feline senior citizen and will always be happy
to help advise you. Some senior- friendly modifications our hospital
team might help you with are:
-
Recommendations on a palatable, highly
digestible diet with the proper balance of calories and
nutrients (based on your cat’s specific needs)
-
Easier-access litter pans
-
A comfortable, heated bed
-
Extra assistance with routine grooming
Finally, your veterinarian may provide you with a
Senior Care Checklist for your cat. Your careful observations will
assist our hospital greatly in giving your older cat the care he or
she needs. As always, if you are concerned about any symptom your
cat is showing, please do not hesitate to call our office.
The goal of senior care is simple. We want to help you maintain the
highest quality of life for your pet and thereby enhance the bond we
all share. Together, you and your veterinarian can help make the
senior years the most rewarding years for you and your pet to share
with each other.
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Pre-Operative
Information
If your pet is scheduled to have surgery, our team will call you the
day before to review a few steps that need to be taken to ensure
your pet’s safety. If you have any questions please feel free to
contact us at any time.
FASTING
-
Your pet shouldn’t have food after 6 pm the
night before surgery.
-
You may offer water throughout the night but
take up the bowl in the morning.
-
If your pet is on any medication be sure to give
it the morning of surgery, unless otherwise instructed.
-
Note: If your pet is a rabbit or diabetic, these
instructions may change.
DROP OFF
-
Drop off is as early as 7am or as late as 8:30am
-
At that time, you will be asked to fill out a
pre-surgical form that includes leaving us a phone number where
you may be contacted if we should have any questions
PICK. UP
-
Surgery will be done between 11 am and 3 pm. If
you have not heard from us by 3 pm, please call the office to
find out what time your pet may go home.
-
Pick up must be by 6 pm.
-
There should be no vomiting or diarrhea after
surgery. If there are three or more occurrences contact us
immediately.
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Giving Subcutaneous Fluids
PREPARATION
Hang the bag in a high place. The chamber directly underneath
the bag should be about half full. If not, gently squeeze and
release the chamber until the level is correct. Inspect the line for
any bubbles. If you find any, let the fluids run into the sink until
all the bubbles are out of the tubing. Make sure there is a new
needle on the set. Your pet should remain quiet and calm, or there
should be someone available to restrain your pet.
PLACING THE NEEDLE
Tent the skin over the shoulders/upper neck area. Angle the needle
at about 45 degrees, and insert it into the empty space you have
created under the animal’s skin. This step sometimes requires a firm
motion. You should feel a ‘pop” when the needle is placed correctly.
Angle the needle so that it does not poke into the underlying
structures of the animal’s body.
ADMINISTERING FLUIDS
Open the stopcock, making sure the tube is not crimped. Allow the
prescribed amount of fluids to run in. Since the fluid is cooler
than body temperature, your pet may flinch a little. If you notice
that the fluids are not going under the skin, the needle may have
gone into the tent, and out the other side. (This is known as an
Intra-Fur injection.) Pull the needle out a little bit, or you may
want to remove the needle completely and start over. Make sure to
hold the needle at all times when it is in your pet! When you are
finished, close the stopcock, gently remove the needle, and apply
pressure over the area for 1 minute with gauze or cotton.
AFTERWARDS
The fluids under the skin will create a hump that will be absorbed
by your pet as needed. It may fall over the shoulder to one side of
the body, or you may see puffiness in the armpits and/or front legs.
This will decrease over the course of the day. Your pet will need to
urinate more, and may not want to drink. Some fluid may leak from
the insertion site, and may even be blood-tinged. There is no need
for concern, unless the fluid is very bloody. If, when the next dose
is due, you notice that your pet still has swelling or puffiness
around the front legs, you may delay the next dose for 24 hours.
Please bring the used needles back to us for proper disposal.
If you have any questions, please call us at (858) 566-4912.
If you have questions after hours, you may call the Animal ER at
(858) 569-0600.
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