Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs

The pancreas (image normal pancreas) is an organ in the body located next to the small intestine just after the stomach. It has two primary functions. It is an integral part of the digestion of food and it is the primary organ responsible for regulation of blood sugar in the body. When the pancreas is diseased, it can result in a very painful and debilitating condition called acute pancreatitis.

Disease of the pancreas may also cause diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or chronic pancreatic insufficiency, EPI. EPI results in the inability of the body to digest foods properly. Pancreatitis has been documented in dogs for many years. Until recently it was not thought to exist in cats. We are now recognizing this disease more frequently in cats due to better diagnostic aids.

A recent study has shown that acute pancreatitis. is almost as frequent in cats as dogs. Chronic forms are more common than acute forms. Pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatic cancer are less common than inflammatory disease. Other forms of pancreatic disease in cats are cysts and pancreatic parasites.

Acute pancreatitis (image acute pancreatitis)

The cause in most cases is not known. Several cases have been reported that were caused by trauma, abscessation of the pancreas, ingestion of certain food borne toxins, and of pancreatic duct obstruction. In cats, infectious agents such as toxoplasma, herpes virus, FIP, and feline parvo virus may cause pancreatitis. . Some cases of liver disease may also cause pancreatitis, such as cholangiohepatitis and fatty liver disease in cats.

Clinical signs are non-specific. Fever, rapid heart rate and vomiting, abdominal pain were observed as well as lethargy loss of appetite, and dehydration. Other signs include respiratory distress, and icterus (jaundice).

Diagnosis is made by history, clinical signs, x-ray and ultrasonography. The latter is most helpful in the diagnosis. A very useful blood test called the trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) has been very helpful in the diagnosis of the disease. High blood sugar levels is also common with the disease in cats and some cats become diabetic following recovery from acute episodes of pancreatitis. Newer tests are now available, but the tests are still not one hundred percent reliable. Most of the diagnostics are performed by clinical signs. In our hands ultrasound is proving to be invaluable in the process of ruling out other diseases.

Treatment consists of supportive care. Treatment consists of total parenteral nutrition or by feeding by a tube placed into the intestine. Pain medication should also be given when necessary. Plasma transfusion may also be necessary. Antibiotics may or may not be of help. The prognosis for recovery is impossible to determine. Some pets will respond rapidly and unfortunately other may succumb to this disease.

.

Chronic Pancreatitis Insufficiency (EPI image)

The most common cause of pancreatic insufficiency is chronic pancreatitis. With chronic pancreatitis there is an absence of digestive enzymes. Therefore, food will pass through the digestive tract without being absorbed. Thus, a form of malabsorbtion of food occurs. This form of pancreatitis in cats is commonly accompanied by diabetes since both the digestive as well as the insulin producing cells of the pancreas are involved.

Clinical signs of chronic pancreatitis include soft, pale and voluminous stools, weight loss, greasy soiling of the area around the rectum, and sometimes the entire hair coat.

Diagnosis may be made with the use of the TLI test. A decrease of normal values is helpful in the diagnosis.

Treatment includes replacement therapy of pancreatic enzymes in the diet, injections of vitamin B12 every 7 days in cats for one to two month’s and, if necessary antibiotic therapy to reduce the overpopulation of intestinal bacterial overgrowth ,as well as dietary modification.

Thanks to HILL'S PET FOODS for the illustrations.