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Move to new side of building

We are excited to announce that Phase 1 of construction will be completed in early March. We will start seeing patients on that side of the clinic the week of March 4th. Monday, March 4th will be a moving day. If you have a scheduled appointment on March 4th you will enter the clinic through our normal front doors. We will have reduced appointments on that day. We will be exclusively in Phase 1 from March through June while the remainder of the clinic undergoes a full renovation.

Here are some changes that will occur from March to June:

• We will be implementing curbside for all appointments and medication or food pick-up. Please call from the parking lot to check in and we will call when a room is ready for you to enter.

• You will enter through a new front entrance into a small makeshift reception area and a staff member will meet you to usher you into an exam room

• Our surgical appointments will be limited for those 3 months. We will still be able to do surgery but have a limited number of cages and recovery areas. Surgical drop-off and pick-up will also be curbside.

• If you purchase food from the clinic, please plan as we will be carrying a reduced volume of food due to lack of storage. You can also visit our online pharmacy and order your food from our online store https://springhillvet.vetsfirstchoice.com/.

Acute Pancreatitis

Home » Interactive Animal » Feline » Digestive » Pancreas » Acute Pancreatitis

The pancreas, while being a small organ, delivers a significant impact on digestion of food and blood sugar regulation. This key organ of digestion rests next to the small intestine as it exits from the stomach. Functionally, the pancreas is divided into two sections: 1) the larger exocrine pancreas releases digestive enzymes to breakdown fats and proteins in the diet and 2) the smaller endocrine pancreas releases blood sugar regulating hormones. Inflammation of the pancreas causes a disruption in the normal release of digestive enzymes. The digestive organs begin to digest tissues surrounding the pancreas, creating tremendous inflammation. Feline pancreatitis comes in two forms:

  • Acute: sudden illness, such as inappetance and fever. Less common in cats.
  • Chronic: most common form. Cats may present with a waxing and waning of their appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Only a third of cats show signs of vomiting and/or abdominal pain, which are key features of canine pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is often associated with concurrent inflammatory bowel disease and liver inflammation (termed, triaditis for inflammation of three organs: pancreas, intestinal tract, and liver).

Diagnosis of feline pancreatitis can be challenging and requires a combination of blood work, specialized blood tests, and imaging via abdominal ultrasound. Treatment of feline pancreatitis involves supportive care with pain relief medications, fluid therapy, and specifically treating underlying causes for the pancreatitis (e.g.: inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal lymphoma, liver disease).