Acute Pancreatitis in the Cat

Acute Pancreatitis in the Cat

In the cat acute pancreatitis causes anorexia, depression and severe abdominal discomfort.  Vomiting tends to occur less frequently than that seen in the dog.

Diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats is made through a characteristic history, physical examination, abdominal ultrasound imaging and clinical pathology.  A complete blood count will typically demonstrate a leukocytosis with or without a left shift.  On serum chemistries there is typically an azotemia (elevation in blood ammonia levels), various serum electrolyte abnormalities and the total bilirubin concentration is characteristically elevated.  A feline specific pancreatic lipase test has been developed and is characteristically elevated.

Treatment includes intensive fluid and electrolyte therapy.  Nutritional support given by a jejunostomy tube is a key to long term management in severe cases.

The prognosis is guarded, at least initially.

References;

Schaer, Michael.  “Acute Pancreatitis in the Cat.”  NAVC Clinician’s Brief.  April 2008. P. 17.

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