Pancreatic Insufficiency in Cats

There are two main functions of a feline pancreas: maintaining proper blood-sugar levels and aiding in digestion of proteins and fats. This small organ is attached to the wall of the small intestine and is located near the stomach, and it produces an enzyme known as exocrine, which aids in absorbing and digesting food from the stomach. Pancreatic insufficiency is relatively rare in cats and can go by other names including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or maldigestion syndrome, all three of which refer to the same disease.

  1. Identification

    • In the body of a cat suffering from pancreatic insufficiency, the pancreas is having difficulty breaking down starches, fats and proteins in the small intestine. When this occurs, the starches, fats and proteins are unable to be absorbed through the wall of the small intestine. This results in necessities of the diet being passed through the gastrointestinal tract without being digested. This can result in starvation of the cat, if the condition is left untreated.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of feline pancreatic insufficiency follow a specific timeline, often making diagnosis relatively easy for a well-trained veterinarian. The affected cat seems to be constantly hungry, though it is still losing weight. This may also indicate that the cat is suffering from diabetes as well as pancreatic insufficiency. The high levels of fat being passed through the body can produce a greasy appearance of the coat or the anal area. Also, diarrhea can occur resulting in loose or watery stool that has a foul odor. As the cat becomes malnourished, its coat may begin to take on a poor, unkempt and unhealthy appearance.

    Diagnosis

    • Since the timeline of symptoms is so definitive, many veterinarians can diagnose pancreatic insufficiency simply from the clinical symptoms. Clinical symptoms are symptoms that the veterinarian can directly observe at the veterinarian's office. However, the cat should still undergo tests, such as blood tests or a tissue biopsy, to confirm the condition and rule out other potential causes, such as hyperthyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease. To confirm the diagnosis, the affected feline will undergo a test which measures the levels of digestive enzymes present in the blood.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for feline pancreatic insufficiency is relatively easy. Pancreatic enzymes are supplemented in the cat's diet through other sources including medications or freeze-dried or ground-up extracts of pancreases from other animals such as cattle or hogs. Cats that are suffering from pancreatic insufficiency should also be switched to a low-fiber diet and may require vitamin supplementation.

    Prognosis

    • Cats that suffer from pancreatic insufficiency can have a prognosis on either end of the spectrum. Some cats may never recover from the extreme weight loss and overall damage to their health, thus inevitably dying. Meanwhile, other cats may respond quite well to treatment and recover, gain back their weight and continue a normal life. These cats can live a normal lifespan as long as treatment is consistent. Treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is for the life of the cat.