Disorders of the Pancreas in Cats

Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is the most common exocrine pancreatic disease in cats. It can be short-term (acute) or longterm (chronic), depending on whether or not the disease has led to permanent damage to pancreatic cells. Both forms of pancreatitis can range from mild to severe. In most cases of pancreatitis, the cause cannot be determined, but risk factors include severe trauma to the abdomen, surgery, certain drugs, and some types of infections (such as toxoplasmosis, liver flukes, and feline infectious peritonitis).

Signs of severe pancreatitis are the same as with many other digestive disorders. They can include lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration, weight loss, low body temperature, vomiting, jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain. Some cats do not show any signs. Blood tests may be used by your veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis, along with x-rays, ultrasonography, or a biopsy taken with a needle or during surgery, if needed.

Treatment for pancreatitis includes careful monitoring and supportive veterinary care. Hospitalization may be required. Early intervention will help prevent complications. If the cause is known, specific treatment may be started. Your veterinarian may recommend medications that help prevent vomiting and nausea. Resting the pancreas by giving the cat nothing by mouth for 3 to 4 days is recommended only when the cat is vomiting despite taking these drugs. Treatment with intravenous fluids may be required. Pain medication is given in most cases because the cat is assumed to have abdominal pain.

In mild cases of pancreatitis, cats may be switched to a lower-fat diet and low-fat treats. Cats with mild, longterm pancreatitis should be monitored for other underlying diseases (such as liver disease or inflammatory bowel disease) and potential complications, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (see below).

The outlook in mild cases is good, but outlook in severe cases of pancreatitis is uncertain. About half of cats with severe pancreatitis may die.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a syndrome caused by insufficient production and secretion of digestive enzymes by the pancreas. These enzymes are critical to proper digestion and absorption of nutrients in food. Longterm inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is the most common cause in cats; less commonly, tumors that lead to obstruction of the pancreatic duct cause this disorder.

Cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are usually middle-aged to older and can be of any breed. The most common signs are excessive eating, weight loss, and loose stools or diarrhea. Vomiting and loss of appetite are seen in some cats and may be a sign of other disorders. Diabetes mellitus is often seen with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, due to the destruction of pancreatic hormone-producing cells. The feces are most commonly pale, loose, and voluminous and may be foul-smelling. In rare cases, watery diarrhea may be seen. The high fat content of the feces can lead to a greasy appearance of the hair coat, especially in the region around the anus and tail. Diagnosis can be made using a blood test that indicates the decreased function of the exocrine pancreas.

Most cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can be successfully treated by dietary supplementation with pancreatic enzymes (powdered or from fresh tissue). Follow your veterinarian’s directions for this dietary supplement carefully, and be sure to report any bleeding of the mouth, which can often be eliminated with a lower dose of the enzyme. When signs have improved, it may be possible to gradually decrease the dose. Your veterinarian will also recommend an appropriate food, usually one that is low in fiber.

If enzyme supplementation alone does not resolve the condition, vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) deficiency may be a possible cause. Almost all cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are deficient in vitamin B₁₂. This can be treated by injection of this vitamin. Other vitamin deficiencies have also been reported and may need to be treated. Animals that do not respond to enzyme and vitamin treatments may also have an intestinal disease (such as inflammatory bowel disease) and require additional tests and treatments.

In most cases, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is the result of an irreversible loss of pancreatic tissue and a cure is rare. However, with appropriate diet supplementation and monitoring, cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency usually gain weight quickly, pass normal stools, and can live a normal life.

Cancers of the pancreas can be either benign or malignant (invasive and prone to spread). Most tumors found in the pancreas result from the spread of a tumor from another location in the body (called a metastatic or secondary tumor). Pancreatic adenomas are benign tumors. Pancreatic adenocarcinomas are malignant; however, they are uncommon in cats. The signs in cats with pancreatic tumors are very general, and many animals show no signs until late in the disease. If signs are present, they often include not eating, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, or hair loss. If the tumor has spread to other organs, signs such as lameness, bone pain, and difficulty breathing, can occur.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose. Abnormalities may be apparent on blood tests, x-rays, and ultrasound, but these test results can be similar in other diseases. Often, the diagnosis is made during surgery or after death.

Pancreatic adenomas do not usually require any treatment unless they cause signs. However, because they look similar to pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the affected pancreatic tissue is often removed. The outlook in these cases is excellent.

Pancreatic adenocarcinomas are usually not detected until the disease is advanced, and the cancer has already spread. In those few cases when it appears the cancer has not yet spread, the veterinarian may remove the tumor by surgery. However, it is difficult to completely remove such tumors, and surgery and other cancer treatments are often unsuccessful. The outlook for cats with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is grave.

A pancreatic abscess is a collection of pus, usually near the pancreas. Pancreatic abscesses are a complication of pancreatitis. Signs may include vomiting, depression, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea, and dehydration. In some animals, a lump in the abdomen can be felt. Cats may respond favorably to surgical drainage of the abscess. However, the risks and expense of surgery may outweigh the benefit to the cat unless there is clear evidence of an enlarging mass or bacterial infection. Your veterinarian will make a treatment recommendation based on your cat’s specific condition, overall health, and related considerations.

A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of sterile pancreatic fluid enclosed by a wall of tissue. It is a complication of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Signs are similar to those of pancreatitis and include poor appetite, lethargy, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Pancreatic pseudocysts can be treated with or without surgery. The pseudocyst can sometimes be drained with a needle guided by ultrasonography. Surgery may be needed if the cat has persistent signs or if the pseudocyst does not decrease in size.

Also see professional content regarding pancreatic disorders.