Cats and Dogs

See Pancreatitis - Cat and Pancreatitis - Dog

Other Animals

In horses, necrosis and inflammation results due to migration of parasites, usually strongyle larvae, releasing pancreatic enzymes causing autodigestion. Destructive granulomatous pancreatitis is a part of multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotrophic syndrome.

In pigs suppuration of the pancreas can occasionally arise as an extension from nearby infection, eg. peritonitis and perforated oesophageal ulcers.

Chronic Interstitial Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis often occurs following ongoing inflammation with progression to irreversible damage and impaired function. There is usually fibrosis and reduction in acinar mass. This condition can occur in all species as a consequence of obstruction of the pancreatic ducts, vitamin A deficiency may predispose to this. The condition is most common in the dog, but also in cat, horse and cattle. The islets of Langerhans tend to be preserved. If chronic pancreatitis persisits it can lead to Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). In cats, chronic pancreatitis can also lead to Diabetes Mellitus developing.

Cats and Dogs

See Pancreatitis - Cat and Pancreatitis - Dog

Other Animals

In sheep

Necrosis of exocrine pancreatic cells followed by fibrosis can be caused by zinc toxicosis. Focal pancreatitis may occur during Foot and Mouth disease resulting in diabetes mellitus during recovery.

In horses

Chronic pancreatitis can occur sporadically and is usually a consequence of parasitic migration or from ascending bacterial infection of pancreatic ducts. It can occur alongside chronic eosinophilic gastroenteritis and is usually clinically silent. Organ tends to be replaced by scar tissue.

In cattle

Focal pancreatitis may occur during Foot and Mouth disease resulting in diabetes mellitus during recovery.

Pancreatitis - Cat

Pancreatitis - Cat

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Contents  [hide]  1 Introduction 2 General Disease 2.1 Signalment 2.2 History and Clinical Signs 2.3 Laboratory Tests 2.3.1 Pancreas-specific laboratory tests 2.4 Diagnostic Imaging 2.5 Exploratory Laparotomy/Necropsy Findings 2.6 Treatment 2.6.1 Acute Treatment 2.6.2 Long-term treatment 2.7 Prognosis 3 Acute Pancreatitis 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Clinical Signs 3.3 Diagnosis 3.4 Treatment 4 Chronic Pancreatitis 4.1 Clinical Signs 4.2 Diagnosis 4.3 Treatment 5 References

Introduction

See Pancreatitis for general overview of the disease.

Cats mainly suffer from mild chronic interstitial pancreatitis.

General Disease

Signalment

Increased risk of disease occurs with obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticalism, prior gastrointestinal disease or recurrent seizures.

History and Clinical Signs

There is often a history of eating a fatty meal.

Clinical signs include anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, depression and nausea.

Diarrhoea is also a common feature sometimes with blood, fresh or melaena this occurs due to the proximity of inflamed pancreas to the duodenum and colon. More severe cases may present in shock, acute renal failure, jaundiced (due to focal hepatic necrosis), or with cardiac arrhythmias. Pulmonary oedema, pleural effusions, widespread haemorrhage, DIC, mild ascites, dehydration (mild to moderate) and pyrexia may also be present.

A cranial abdominal mass may be palpated.

Affected cats have a very varied presentation. If severe, they present with lethargy and anorexia with vomiting and abdominal pain being reported less than in the dog, hypothermia is also common sign occurring in 68% of affected cats. Mild chronic pancreatitis may show anorexia and weight loss.