Acute Pancreatitis in Cats and Dogs: Causes, Symptoms,

Acute pancreatitis in cats and dogs is a complex condition with a variety of contributing factors. The clinical features of this disease are characterized by several key aspects.

1. Acute pancreatitis caused by obstruction of the common bile duct at the Vater's ampulla is often seen in cases involving biliary worms, gallstones, tumor compression, local edema, fibrosis, and mucous plug. The common bile duct and pancreatic ducts converge at the Vater's ampulla. When this area becomes blocked, bile can backflow into the pancreatic ducts, activating trypsinogen into trypsin. This enzyme then enters the pancreas and surrounding tissues, leading to autodigestion.

2. Hypersecretion of pancreatic juices, often triggered by the consumption of large amounts of fatty foods, can lead to marked alimentary lipemia (chylomicronemia), altering the enzyme content within pancreatic cells and increasing the risk of acute pancreatitis. Inflammation of the duodenum and spasm of the pancreatic ducts may also cause duct blockage, raising pancreatic duct pressure and leading to pancreatic acinar rupture and enzyme leakage, resulting in pancreatitis.

3. Infectious diseases such as feline toxoplasmosis and feline infectious peritonitis, canine infectious hepatitis, and leptospirosis can damage the liver and trigger pancreatitis.

4. Certain medications, including thiazide diuretics, azathioprine, Lasparaginase, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and H2 receptor antagonists, may induce pancreatitis.

5. Other factors, such as pancreatic trauma, car accidents, falls from heights, surgical trauma to the pancreas, gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, adrenal cortical hyperfunction, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases, can also trigger pancreatitis.

The clinical presentation is complex, with no specific symptoms, but it often includes edematous and hemorrhagic necrotic types.

Edematous pancreatitis typically presents with lethargy, loss of appetite, or anorexia, abdominal pain after eating, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sometimes, blood may be present in the stool. The abdomen is sensitive and tense upon palpation, and the animal may shy away from pressure, arching its back and contracting its abdomen.

Hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis usually shows a drop in blood pressure and body temperature, severe depression, intense vomiting, and diarrhea, sometimes with bloody diarrhea. The abdomen is extremely tense, and pressure is extremely painful. As the condition worsens, the animal may become comatose, followed by seizures and shock. Currently, rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for acute pancreatitis in dogs are available, which are beneficial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for this disease should focus on inhibiting pancreatic secretion, reducing inflammation and pain, and correcting water and salt metabolism.

Treatment for Cats and Dogs with Pancreatitis:

1. In the first 2 to 4 days after symptoms appear, fasting is essential to prevent the pancreas from secreting trypsin, which accelerates the breakdown of the pancreas itself and worsens the condition. During fasting, intravenous glucose and a mixture of amino acids should be administered to maintain nutrition and balance the acidbase levels. As the condition improves, offer small amounts of broth or soft, easily digestible food.

2. To control infection, antibiotics such as penicillin, kanamycin, ampicillin, and cephalosporins can be used.

3. To inhibit pancreatic secretion, administer atropine 0.5mg intramuscularly three times a day or propantheline 5mg orally three times a day.

4. For severe abdominal pain, inject morphine sulfate at a dose of 0.1 to 0.5mg per kilogram of body weight subcutaneously, or pentazocine at a dose of 5 to 10mg per kilogram of body weight.

5. For severe vomiting, inject chlorpromazine at a dose of 0.25 to 0.5mg per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly three times a day; or metoclopramide (not for pregnant dogs or cats) at a dose of 0.5mg per kilogram of body weight twice a day.

6. To prevent dehydration, administer a 5% glucose solution or Ringer's lactate 250 to 500ml intravenously twice a day.

7. In cases of shock, administer corticosteroids such as dexamethasone at a dose of 2 to 5mg intravenously or intramuscularly.

8. If pancreatic necrosis is detected, surgery to remove the necrotic portion of the pancreas should be performed as soon as possible.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of treatment for acute pancreatitis in cats and dogs, especially in cases of hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis. Complications such as respiratory distress, arrhythmia, and acute renal failure often lead to poor prognosis. During treatment, strict fasting is essential, and food should only be reintroduced with the doctor's approval.

For more information on feline and canine pancreatitis, click to read "The Causes of Canine and Feline Pancreatitis."