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One of the most difficult problems to diagnose in feline medicine is pancreatitis. Unlike
humans and dogs, pancreatitis in the cat is most often a very subtle disease. Many cats
present with very vague symptoms and the disease is often overlooked. Symptoms
commonly seen in the cat are lethargy or depression, anorexia (not eating), occasionally
vomiting and uncommonly abdominal pain.
To compound the problem many of the readily available tests for the diagnosis of
pancreatitis are not valid for use in the cat.
The exact cause of pancreatitis is often unknown. Many cases (probably the vast majority)
are caused by inflammation ascending from the small bowel through the pancreatic duct.
The inflammation in the bowel is caused in some situations by allergic reactions or
intolerances to foods, a condition called inflammatory bowel disease. There is evidence
that some cases of pancreatitis are autoimmune in nature. These are situations were the
body actually produces antibodies to its own tissues; in this case the pancreas. Viruses,
bacteria, parasites and tumors can also cause pancreatitis.
In the cat, pancreatitis is usually a chronic asymptomatic problem with periodic acute
flare-ups. Acute episodes can very in intensity from mild signs to life-threatening. Stress
from a variety of sources can precipitate an episode. Many cats with chronic disease will
have an acute problem after a surgical or anesthetic event such as a dental procedure.
Pancreatitis is diagnosed in the cat by a combination of a specific feline lipase test (a
blood test) and an ultrasound examination of the abdomen. The lipase test is usually
elevated and examination of the pancreatic area with the ultrasound will show the
accompanying inflammation surrounding this organ. When both tests are used pancreatitis
can be found in a significant number of cats.
Treatment is aimed at controlling pain and vomiting, correcting dehydration with electrolyte
abnormalities and stopping or reducing inflammation in the small bowel. This is
accomplished with a combination of diet and steroids, force-feeding and IV fluids. If
indicated, antibiotics are also added to the mix.
A pet with this problem can expect a certain number of acute episodes in its life no matter
what you do. Eventually some animals will go on to develop diabetes mellitus and require
insulin. The number and severity of acute episodes can be controlled however by the use of
special diets, medications and reduction of stress.
humans and dogs, pancreatitis in the cat is most often a very subtle disease. Many cats
present with very vague symptoms and the disease is often overlooked. Symptoms
commonly seen in the cat are lethargy or depression, anorexia (not eating), occasionally
vomiting and uncommonly abdominal pain.
To compound the problem many of the readily available tests for the diagnosis of
pancreatitis are not valid for use in the cat.
The exact cause of pancreatitis is often unknown. Many cases (probably the vast majority)
are caused by inflammation ascending from the small bowel through the pancreatic duct.
The inflammation in the bowel is caused in some situations by allergic reactions or
intolerances to foods, a condition called inflammatory bowel disease. There is evidence
that some cases of pancreatitis are autoimmune in nature. These are situations were the
body actually produces antibodies to its own tissues; in this case the pancreas. Viruses,
bacteria, parasites and tumors can also cause pancreatitis.
In the cat, pancreatitis is usually a chronic asymptomatic problem with periodic acute
flare-ups. Acute episodes can very in intensity from mild signs to life-threatening. Stress
from a variety of sources can precipitate an episode. Many cats with chronic disease will
have an acute problem after a surgical or anesthetic event such as a dental procedure.
Pancreatitis is diagnosed in the cat by a combination of a specific feline lipase test (a
blood test) and an ultrasound examination of the abdomen. The lipase test is usually
elevated and examination of the pancreatic area with the ultrasound will show the
accompanying inflammation surrounding this organ. When both tests are used pancreatitis
can be found in a significant number of cats.
Treatment is aimed at controlling pain and vomiting, correcting dehydration with electrolyte
abnormalities and stopping or reducing inflammation in the small bowel. This is
accomplished with a combination of diet and steroids, force-feeding and IV fluids. If
indicated, antibiotics are also added to the mix.
A pet with this problem can expect a certain number of acute episodes in its life no matter
what you do. Eventually some animals will go on to develop diabetes mellitus and require
insulin. The number and severity of acute episodes can be controlled however by the use of
special diets, medications and reduction of stress.
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| Pancreatitis |