Download The pancreas has two main functions. It produces digestive

Feline Pancreatitis
Feline Pancreatitis
What does the pancreas do?
The pancreas has two main functions. It produces digestive enzymes which are
released into the duodenum to aid in digesting starches and proteins. The other
function is the secretion of insulin and glucagon which help to regulate sugar
metabolism. It is a pale pink glandular organ that sits under the stomach and
alongside the duodenum. In pancreatitis, it is the digestive parts of the pancreas
that we are most concerned with.
Feline Pancreatitis is very dangerous
The pancreas has various safeguards in place to contain the digestive enzymes
located in the pancreas. When the pancreas becomes inflamed it can no longer
keep those safeguards in place and digestive enzymes can leak into the body.
These enzymes start to digest parts of the body starting with the pancreas and
the liver. Toxins released from this tissue destruction make it to the blood
stream where the can cause a body wide inflammatory reaction. In rare
instances this damage can cause respiratory failure, Diabetes, and even brain
damage.
What Causes Pancreatitis?
Unfortunately, we usually can never find out what the cause is. There are some
risk factors that have been noted.
Feline Pancreatitis
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Trauma
An active feline distemper infection
Toxoplasma (a particular parasite)
History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Exposure to certain pesticides called organophosphates
Use of certain medications.
Signs of Pancreatitis
In dogs and humans, this condition is associated with a lot of nausea and abdominal
pain. According to one recent study in cats, only 35% of cats will vomit and only 25%
show any abdominal pain. In cases fever is present however, other times the
temperature will actually drop. Lethargy and appetite loss are the only consistent signs
of this disease in cats.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosis is typically a complete panel of blood work and possibly a
urinalysis. These tests will not show pancreatitis but often will show changes in the
liver. (Remember that the pancreas is very close to the liver, which releases enzymes
when it has incurred damage.) Radiographs may or may not be recommended because
the pancreas is very hard to visualize on x-ray, but may be needed to rule out other
conditions. There are other blood tests that can be done in indicating pancreatitis such
as PLI (Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity) and SPEC-FPL (Specific Feline Pancreatic
Lipase). These blood tests although helpful are not for every patient. PLI has to be
performed at particular laboratories and it can often take several days to a week to get
results. SPEC-FPL is only currently available from 1 laboratory. Results are often
available within 48 hours.
If the cat is not responding to supportive therapy, referral to a veterinary specialty clinic
may be recommended to ultrasound. Ultrasound often can reveal an enlarged
pancreas surrounded by fluid which confirms the diagnosis of pancreatitis.
Treatment
Treatment typically consists mainly of supportive therapy. If the cause of the
pancreatitis is known, removal of the cause is important. Fluid therapy along with relief
from pain and nausea with medications are the typical therapy. Many patients with
inflammatory bowel disease will later develop pancreatitis in these cases treatment
Feline Pancreatitis
includes medications for IBD such as steroids, antacids, or low residue diets. In some
cases Plasma transfusions seem to be helpful however these need to be performed at a
veterinary specialty clinic.
Prognosis
How an individual cat will do in the long run often depends on the severity of the
illness. If the cat survives an acute episode there is a good chance that it can go on the
live a normal life. Chronic cases of pancreatitis can wax and wane for years and often
require permanent diet changes and medication.