Pancreatitis & Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Flashcards
How does development of pancreatitis compare in dogs and cats?
DOGS = acute, severe episodes
CATS = chronic, subacute form; cause is not well understood
What kind of disease process is canine pancreatitis? What are 3 risk factors?
sterile
- fat - obese, fatty meals, hyperlipidemia
- systemic inflammation, trauma, ischemia
- endocrine disease - Cushing’s, DM
What 3 drugs commonly cause pancreatitis in dogs?
- Azathioprine
- L-asparaginase
- Tetracycline
What signs predominate in cases of pancreatitis in dogs? What is a diagnostic clue?
GI signs - vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia
cranial abdominal pain - hunching in the “praying posture”
What causes severe cases of pancreatitis in dogs?
severe necrotizing pancreatitis –> hypovolemia, fever, tachycardia, jaundice, SIRS
What clinical signs are associated with pancreatitis in cats?
NON-SPECIFIC lethargy and anorexia +/- other GI signs
What are some changes on routine blood work that MAY indicate pancreatitis?
serum amylase and lipase –> non specific and unreliable, NOT the preferred diagnostic test
What is the test of choice for diagnosing pancreatits?
U/S –> hypoechoic pancreas, hyperechoic inflammation/fat surrounding it
What is considered the most sensitive test for pancreatitis?
pancreas-specific lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI/fPLI)
It is difficult to diagnose mild pancreatitis in cats. What tests are the most useful?
- U/S
- fPLI
What kind of treatment is recommended in cases of acute pancreatitis in dogs and cats?
supportive, identify and treat underlying disease
- hospitalization and aggressive IV fluids
- H2 blockers
- antiemetics
- analgesics
- antibiotics ONLY IF pancreatic necrosis or sepsis is suspected
- plasma, heparin
- calcium gluconate
- dopamine
- insulin
- ductal decompression
How is chronic pancreatitis treated?
maintain a low-fat and highly digestible diet
- monitor closely for signs that require intervention!
What breeds most commonly develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?
- GSDs
- Collies
- English Setters
What is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency? What is the most common cause?
inadequate synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine pancreas results in inactivity of digestive enzymes in the lumen of the small intestine
pancreatic acinar atrophy in dogs; chronic pancreatiits in cats
What are the 2 things that exocrine pancreatic insufficiency results in?
- malassimilation of nutrients - fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, trace elements
- small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
