Digestive Enzymes For Pancreas????

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cocokitten

cocokitten

Member Since 2014
Anyone have any luck using digestive enzymes to help their cat's pancreas?

I've done some research and I thought I'd give it a try. I just bought this at Petco:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=627348


I read a happy pancreas might give my poor Kitten better sugar numbers. He's on 2.5/3 units of Prozinc and his PS numbers are in the 400's. Been like this for a month now. Checking his keytones this weekend.
BTW, my cat Kitten has had 2 scary pancreatitis attacks. One in January and one in August.

Jessica
 
It may help, however please discuss this with the vet first, to make sure no harm can come from it.
 
My vet is on maternity leave until December. While she has other doctors at her clinic, I'm more comfortable with her. What harm could this product do?
 
That is why I suggest you check with a vet; I don't know. When in doubt, check it out! Safety first, OK?
 
I'm so sorry that Kitten is having a bad time with his pancreas.Bailey was going through similar problems this time last year,it is so distressing.His vet prescribed digestive enzymes,they didn't seem to make any difference as far as my boy was concerned,but as we all know every cat is different so it is worth giving them a try.The one thing that has really kept the panc.issues under control for Bailey is aloe vera juice,I have posted about this before,it has to be a specific type of the juice so if you want info post back and I will give you the details. Diane
 
I can tell you to not overdo the enzymes - it can give Kitten a bad stomachache. I'd still run it by one of the other vets before starting. I did use it with one of mine but he had digestive issues. If Kitten isn't having problems other than high bg's, I wouldn't suggest using them.

Kitten is SO handsome!

HUGS!
 
I have read about the aloe vera juice Diane. Yes, please let me know more about it. I am in the USA, so hopefully I can find it. I'm sure my local natural foods store has it. Your cat is gorgeous btw!

Thanks Squeaky. You're very handsome too! I had an orange cat many years ago who I nickname Squeaky. (His real name was Alex) :) 2nd greatest cat next to Kitten. And I won't over-do the enzyme. That's good to know! The bottle is kind of vague. 1/4 teaspoon per cup of food. I have 3 cats and they all probably eat a cup for breakfast, so I sprinkled it in for everyone.

Jessica
 
Hello Jessica,Bailey was a rescue cat so we are not sure as to his origins,the vet thinks he is part Maine Coon,possibly the runt of a litter,he is a beautiful boy with a gentle nature,and the light of my life! Kitten looks so beautiful,I adore the Turkish cats,but thenI am mad about all cats.
As far as the aloe vera juice goes you have to be careful to get the right type of juice as anything containing the outer rind is toxic for cats.The brand I use in the UK is called Pukka organic aloe vera juice,it might be an idea to see if you can get this make in the US as it is very pure,if not look it up on the Internet and try to find something similar.
The juice you want must be made of INNER LEAF GEL only (no outer rind) and free from all synthetic preservatives,it must NOT contain sodium benzoate or ascorbic acid . There is little taste to this pure type and I have had no trouble with Bailey taking it with his food. I started him with 1 tea spoon a day to make sure he had no adverse reaction,then after a few days increased dose to 1 tea spoon twice a day,he has been on this now for 9 months and we have seen remarkable results with his pancreatic issues,if you have any more questions just ask. Diane
 
Hi Diane and Jessica

I hope it okay to ask you more about the aloe in Jessica 's thread. I don't want to take it too much off topic. I am interested in the aloe. When you say it has helped a lot do you mean generally in how he acts? Do you think the aloe is helping calm perhaps his stomach/intestines and that has a knock on affect on his pancreas or does he not have tummy issues. Have you seen the spec fPLI level change?

Diane
I have used the digestive enzymes for remi 's IBD but didn't feel it made any difference. On the pancreatitis forum they do warn to be careful with digestive enzymes if the cat has pancreatitis. Are you a member of that forum? Could you post a question there? I can go back and search on the term if you would like.

Best wishes

Sarah
 
Hi Sarah,so as not to take up Jessica's thread if you would like to PM me I would be happy to answer your questions regarding aloe vera. Diane
 
Maybe just do a new post on Aloe Vera, as it seems to be useful. Explain what it can be used for, the kind of preparation to use, places to get it, etc.
 
LOL! I don't mind everyone posted about the aloe. I'm totally interested in it too! BTW, I have my own Aloe plant. I wonder if there's something I can make? As for the enzymes and possibly hurting the pancreas more...where did you read that? I"m curious to know more about it. Kitten has been taking the enzymes with his food for 2 days now. His BG is slightly better. Not amazing numbers, but better nadir numbers. I'll give it a try for a few more weeks and see how his is overall. Diane: I found a link to this aloe juice in the USA:

http://www.pipingrock.com/aloe-vera/alo ... MgodeVEALw


What do you think? The ingredients say, "Organic Aloe Vera Juice". It does say that also supports healthy blood sugar levels already within normal range. Good for pancreas and good for the blood sugar? Win, win if you ask me!
 
Too many enzymes in the food can irritate the mouth. Beyond that, I don't know, and so refer one to the vet for trained guidance.
 
Where did you read about enzymes irritating the mouth? Please post link. LIke I said earlier, I'd like to see WHO is using enzymes here and if they've had success. I thank you for refering me to my vet-who like I said is on maternity leave. But for now, I'm just asking around.
 
Please be careful Jessica,the link you posted I would not be happy with you giving Kitten.it does not state that it is made fron ONLY the inner juice gel.
This is what the ingredients are on the bottle of Pukka A/V Juice I give to Bailey
Organic Aloe Vera inner leaf gel. 99.8%
Citric Acid 0.2%. These are the only ingredients the juice contains,please be aware that outer aloe vera rind is toxic for cats as is potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.
 
If the enzymes aren't in an enteric coated tablet or a capsule, they start digesting the food they are mixed in. Your cat's mouth has a slight mucosal barrier, but these are digestive enzymes which normally are produced in the intestinal tract, not the mouth. The mouth can become irritated.

I used Google to search "feline pancreatic enzyme supplements side effects"

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/dig...ancreatic_insufficiency_in_small_animals.html
- "Oral bleeding has been reported in 3 of 25 dogs with EPI treated with pancreatic enzyme supplements"
http://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/pancreatic-enzymes
- "irritation around the mouth"

If you need more, just use the unquoted text string I posted above.
 
I'll do more research on the aloe before buying. Thank you! :) I did see how I could make it myself. I have a monster aloe plant growing outside. But I'm scared I might get some rind in there, so I'll avoid it.

Thanks for the info on the enzymes BJM. The kind I got, is specifically for cats and is meant to sprinkle on their food. I would hope that the manufacturer is aware of the possible issues with the mucosal barrier of their mouth. They do get glowing reviews and they're a organic company based out of Colorado. Speaking of, I wonder if we should feed our cats pot? LOL! Just kidding! But Kitten and his buddies DO get home grown catnip from my garden. I think the catnip makes his BG's a little loopey. That's another thread! ;-)
 
Hi Jessica,I emphasised yesterday that it must only be the inner leaf gel of the aloe vera that you want,have just been online and in the US the inner leaf gel is called INNER FILLET GEL check out a brand called Lily of the Desert,they say they contain NO preservatives,even so always check manufactures contents. Best of luck. Diane
 
Thanks Diane!!! I will check. Not seeing any amazing numbers (yet) with the enzymes. Took me 2 hours, but I got his SS chart up and running tonight. It's a USA version, so I'm not sure if you can help me understand how to get better numbers. I posted a separate thread on the Prozinc board for that.
 
I doubt the enzymes will give you amazing glucose numbers. You may, however, get poo that smells less 'amazing' (odiferous), and is a normal consistency and color because the food is being properly digested.
 
What do you all think about apple cider vinegar? I hear it does some amazing things for a fussy tummy. I'm not looking for better glucose numbers. I'm just trying to ease his pancreatitis. And with a calmer pancreas, perhaps I can get steadier numbers. Any time Kitten has a kitty cold or his pancreas is going crazy, I get off the chart numbers. And twice this year, that lead to kitty ER. $2,000 later, he's better, but that's a strain on him and mama's wallet. I don't want to go through that again. Not sure if I mentioned it, but he also has congestive heart failure. Was diagnosed in January. So poor Kitten's got a lot of things going on. :(
 
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