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My cat's pancreatitis returned. What's the best long-term care?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Applehead Siamese | Male | neutered | 13 years and 4 months old | 12 lbs

My cat was diagnosed with mild pancreatitis. His Amylase was slightly above the high range, WBC also a little high and elevated Neutrophils (not through the roof). He was given about 12 days of Poly shots with an appetite stimulant and occasional B-12 shot. He seemed to recover by about 75%. After about 5 days or so after the treatment ended he went down hard. Fluids were administered but he got edema, Lasix (shots then tabs) is working and put him back on Poly. Looks better. Just want thoughts

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on May 18th, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Pancreatitis in cats is often a chronic problem with occasional flare-ups. Treatment usually consist of pain relief and low fat diet. In more severe cases iv fluids, intravenous pain relief and appetite stimulants are necessary. In that respect the treatment Mahji received sounds appropriate. Antibiotics are not necessary in most of cases of pancreatitis but it is a common practice to use them.
It is hard to make comments on the problem with oedema. I assume that the oedema was caused by overzealous intravenous fluids therapy and Mahji has fully recovered after a course of diuretic.
The key in long-term management of pancreatitis is low fat diet. There are prescription diets for cats with pancreatitis but this type of food can be easily prepared at home (cooked lean meat with some vegetables).
Using appetite stimulants should be only short term, however some cats require longer therapy with anti-sickness medications to treat nausea (metoclopramide or maropintant are the most commonly used).
I hope that will help and I wish all the best for Mahji

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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