Feline Pancreatitis & Laser Therapy

Feline Pancreatitis is becoming increasingly more common and in a study of 115 cats who were necropsied, 2/3 had signs of pancreatitis.

Symptoms of pancreatitis are abdominal discomfort, dehydration, fever, fast heart rate, anorexia, vomiting, gastritis, and even renal failure.  Blood tests, X-ray and ultrasound help with diagnosis.

Treatment for feline pancreatitis may include hospitalization with IV medication and fluids. Laser therapy has also been shown helpful. Case reports showing benefits of laser on feline pancreatitis are present in the Atlas of Class IV Laser Therapy—Small Animal from Southern Digital Publishing 2012. Therapy was administered three times a week for the first two weeks; then twice a week for 2 weeks; then maintained at once a week. Long-term treatment was reduced to once every two weeks.

When I treat a cat with pancreatitis, in addition to laser therapy and acupuncture, I recommend TCM herbal formula such as Yi Guan Jian, Si Miao San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. I work with the family to provide an easily digested diet of raw or canned foods and probiotics, such as Rx Biotic. We may add enzymes to the food and may occasionally need a medication to reduce vomiting such as Cerenia.