Pancreatitis (veterinary)

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Pancreatitis
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Illustration of a dog's pancreas: Alveolus in the illustration refers to the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas. The cells form circular clusters. [1] They are the cells which produce pancreatic enzymes needed for digestion of food.
Symptoms Lethargy, anorexia, emesis, abdominal pain
Complications Hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, organ failure
Usual onsetMiddle-aged to elderly
TypesAcute, chronic
Risk factors Miniature Schanzuer, Cocker Spaniels, obesity
Diagnostic method Pancreatic lipase assay, ultrasound
TreatmentFluid therapy, feeding
Medication Fentanyl, ketamine, buprenorphine, lidocaine, maropitant, capromorelin
Frequency0.6% (cats) 0.8% dogs

Pancreatitis is a common condition in cats and dogs. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can occur in two very different forms. Acute pancreatitis [2] is sudden, while chronic pancreatitis is characterized by recurring or persistent form of pancreatic inflammation. Cases of both can be considered mild or severe. [3] It is currently undecided whether chronic pancreatitis is a distinct disease or a form of acute pancreatitis. Other forms such as auto-immune and hereditary pancreatitis are presumed to occur but there existence has not been proven. [4]

Contents

Pancreatitis occurs in approximately 0.8% of dogs and 0.6% of cats. Severe pancreatitis is often fatal. [4]

Background

The pancreas is composed of two sections: the smaller endocrine portion, which is responsible for producing hormones such as insulin, somatostatin, and glucagon, and the larger, exocrine portion, [5] which produces enzymes needed for the digestion of food. Acinar cells make up 82% of the total pancreas; these cells are responsible for the production of the digestive enzymes. [1] [6]

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of pancreatitis is not well understood. Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in developing pancreatitis. In most acute pancreatitis cases there is premature activation and retention of zymogens of the acinar cells. These zymogens become pancreatic enzymes. Activated enzymes will get into the pancreatic tissue and later the peritoneal cavity and circulation. The effects of this include: interstitial oedema, necrosis of the acinar cells, haemorrhage, and necrosis of the peripancreatic fat; these trigger an inflammatory response from neutrophils and macrophages. The aetiology behind this disruption is unknown. [4]

Pathophysiology

Pancreatitis is caused by autodigestion of the pancreas thought to begin with an increase in secretion of pancreatic enzymes in response to a stimulus, [7] [8] which can be any source from table scraps to getting into the garbage to drugs, toxins, and trauma. [3] [9] The digestive enzymes are released too quickly and begin acting on the pancreas instead of the food they normally digest. [2] [9] [10] [11] Once the process cascades, inflammatory mediators and free radicals are released and pancreatitis develops, causing amplification of the process. [10]

Causes

The aetiology of pancreatitis in cats and dogs is unknown in the majority of cases. The amount of described causes for dogs is low and even lesser for cats. The causes of pancreatitis in humans is vastly different from that of cats and dogs. [4] Two studies have suggested that hypertriglyceridaemia is a cause of pancreatitis in the Miniature Schnauzer; [12] [13] however, there is no evidence of this as a cause in other breeds. [4] Another study has identified mutations of the SPINK1 gene in the Miniature Schnauzer as being associated with pancreatitis; [14] however, another study found no association between SPINK1 mutations and pancreatitis instead demonstrated that the mutations were common amongst Schnauzers. [15] [4]

Iatrogenic pancreatitis is caused by certain drugs. The most common drugs that cause iatrogenic pancreatitis are potassium bromide, phenobarbital, L-asparaginase, azathioprine, and meglumine antimonate. [4]

Suspected causes of pancreatitis in cats includes: abdominal trauma, ischaemia, acute hypercalcaemia, organophosphate toxicity, pancreatic tumour, and pancreatic ductal obstruction. [4]

Glucocorticoids were once considered a cause of pancreatitis in both dogs and humans. Better understanding of both pancreatitis and glucocorticoids has led to this belief disappearing. Glucocorticoids are not considered a risk factor for pancreatitis anymore. [4]

Clinical signs

Clinical symptoms of pancreatitis vary. Some animals will be asymptomatic or just have mild anorexia whilst others will have serious symptoms such as cardiac problems. Most symptoms are not directly caused by pancreatitis itself. [4]

One study found the most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs to be: lethargy (88%), anorexia (86%), emesis (83%), and abdominal pain (59%). [16] [4]

Symptoms common in cats with pancreatitis include: anorexia (63–97%), dehydration (33–96%), lethargy (28–100%), emesis (35–76%), pallor (30%), icterus (16–24%), weight loss (20–61%), and diarrhoea (11–33%). [4]

Symptoms of severe pancreatitis in cats includes: disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary thromboembolism, cardiovascular shock, and organ failure. Pancreatitis is a common cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation and thromboembolism in the cat. Two studies found 26% of cats with disseminated intravascular coagulation and 11.8% with pulmonary thromboembolism had pancreatitis. [4]

Acute pancreatitis can trigger a build-up of fluid, particularly in abdominal and thoracic (chest) areas, acute kidney injury, and cause inflammation in arteries and veins. The inflammation triggers the body's clotting factors, possibly depleting them to the point of spontaneous bleeding. [9] [17] This form can be fatal in animals and in humans. [18] Severe acute pancreatitis also causes cardiovascular shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and organ failure. [4] Dehydration is observed in nearly all dogs with severe acute pancreatitis. [4]

Serious and severe symptoms that are not uncommon include: hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, and hypochloraemia. Hyperkalaemia, hypernatraemia, and hypocalceamia are reported but rare. [4]

Pancreatitis can result in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, if the organ's acinar cells are permanently damaged; the pancreatic enzymes then need replacement with pancrelipase or similar products. The damage can also extend into the endocrine portion of the pancreas, resulting in diabetes mellitus. [19] Whether the diabetes is transient or permanent depends on the severity of the damage to the endocrine pancreas beta cells. [17]

Extrahepatic biliary duct obstruction has been reported in both the cat and dog. The pancreas —being inflamed— compresses the bile duct which leads to biliary system distension and icterus. [4]

Risk factors

Although various causes of dog pancreatitis are known, such as drugs, fatty diet, trauma, etc., the pathophysiology is very complex. [2] [20] Pancreatitis can be idiopathic; no real causation factor can be found. [10] [18] Obese animals as well as animals fed a diet high in fat may be more prone to developing acute and chronic pancreatitis. [2] [21] [22] Certain breeds of dogs are considered predisposed to developing pancreatitis including Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and some terrier breeds. [9] [10] [21] [23] Miniature Schnauzers as a breed tend toward developing hyperlipidemia, an excess of circulating fats in the blood. [24] The breed that appears to be at risk for the acute form of pancreatitis is the Yorkshire Terrier, while Labrador Retrievers and Miniature Poodles seem to have a decreased risk for the acute form of the disease. Genetics may play a part in the risk factor. [2] Certain cat breeds may have a predisposition. [4] Dogs suffering from diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism), hypothyroidism, and epilepsy have been reported to have an increased risk but no there is a lack of evidence to support a link between the conditions and pancreatitis. [4] Diabetes and hypothyroidism are also associated with hyperlipidemia. [25] [26] Those with other types of gastrointestinal conditions and dogs that have had previous pancreatitis attacks are also at increased risk for the disorder. [2]

In cats, a study found an association with inflammatory bowel disease and cholangitis with pancreatitis. [27] Triaditis is a medical condition/term for when a cat has all three conditions. 50–67% of cats with pancreatitis have triaditis. In cats with cholangitis 50–80% have pancreatitis. The cause of this and the relationship between the conditions is not understood. [4]

There is no sex predilection. [4]

Age of onset

Pancreatitis can occur at any age but most animals with pancreatitis are middle-aged to elderly. [4]

Diagnosis

Histopathological methods of diagnosis have been reported to diagnose up to 90% of clinically healthy dogs and 65% of cats with pancreatitis. Histopathology is not recommended for the diagnosis of pancreatitis on its own. [4]

Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis are not helpful for diagnosing pancreatitis; however, they are useful to exclude differential diagnosis and confirm comorbidities. [4]

Haemotological findings that can occur include: anaemia, leukopaenia, and thrombocytopaenia. These are not indicative of pancreatitis but instead symptoms of it. [4]

Pancreatic lipase assay

Pancreatic lipase is an enzyme produced by the acinar cells of the pancreas. This makes measurement of it the most effective way to diagnose pancreatitis. Pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity assays are the most accurate type of assay for this. The sensitivity for these assays are quite accurate. [4]

Serum amylase and lipase activities

Serum amylase and lipase activities are not a useful indicator for pancreatitis as it can be synthesised by non-pancreatic tissue and the tests cannot distinguish the tissue origin. In one study 50% of dogs with increased amylase and lipase activities did not have any other evidence of pancreatitis. In cats the test has little to no clinical use. [4]

Trypsin-like immunoreactivity

Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity assays measure the amount of trypsinogen and trypsin in the serum. The tests are different for cats and dogs. In dogs results indicative of pancreatitis may also be caused by renal failure and enteropathies. In cats low sensitivity and other conditions—gastrointestinal diseases, azotemia—that produce similar results mean it is not a useful tool for diagnosis of pancreatitis. [4]

Radiography

The majority of cats and dogs with pancreatitis show no abnormalities on radiographs. Instead radiography serves as a way to diagnose or exclude other conditions. Findings possible in animals with pancreatitis include:f increased opacity of soft tissue, a decrease in serosal detail in the cranial right abdomen, gastric displacement, duodenum displacement, ascites, and a cranial abdominal mass. [4]

Ultrasound

Ultrasonography of the abdomen is the best method of diagnosing pancreatitis in cats and dogs. Due to advances in ultrasonography it is a routine procedure for diagnosing pancreatitis. Hypoechoic areas within the pancreas, an increase in echogenicity of the mesentery around the pancreas, and pancreatic abnormalities are all common ultrasonographic findings in cases of pancreatitis. Some patients with pancreatitis will not present with any ultrasonographic abnormalities. [4]

Pathology

Tissue samples should be collected from pancreatic lesions that can be seen during surgery. These lesions may include peripancreatic fat necrosis, pancreatic haemorrhage, and pancreatic congestion. Lesions are not always present and cannot always be distinguished from nodular hyperplasia and neoplasia. [4]

Histopathology can differentiate acute and chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic fibrosis and acinar atrophy suggest chronic instead of acute pancreatitis. [4]

Cytology

Cytological examination of the pancreas can be done with fine needle aspiration. This is less invasive than histopathology. FNA can differentiate acute pancreatitis, on a smear there will be hypercellularity and degraded neutrophils. [4]

Treatment

Due to the unknown aetiology treatment is supportive and based on what symptoms the animal shows. Underlying conditions such as infections, toxicity, and endocrinopathies, etc. should be treated. [4]

Fluid therapy

Severe pancreatitis can cause dehydration and hypovolaemia, this can be treated with intravenous fluid therapy. When the patient has hypoalbuminaemia or hypotension colloid fluids should be used instead of crystalloid fluids that are normally used. [4]

Feeding

Historically it was believed withholding food was beneficial, this is no longer the case. Current practice is to provide enteral and parenteral alimentation. Jejunal feeding is the preferred method for this. [4]

Jejunostomy feeding tubes can be inserted following either a laparoscopy or laparotomy

Plasma transfusion

Frozen plasma transfusion is a controversial treatment for pancreatitis in dogs. There is little supportive evidence it helps, with one study finding dogs treated with plasma transfusion to have worse outcomes, although the study did not control for treatment and did not randomise the groups. [4]

Analgesia

Pancreatitis causes pain which can be responsible for numerous side effects, including: anorexia, decreased blood flow to abdominal organs, tachycardia, and catabolism. Analgesia should be given to all patients with pancreatitis. Opioids are usually required. The most common analgesics for pancreatitis are: buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone morphine, lidocaine, and ketamine. [4]

Antiemesis

Antiemesis is important in treating pancreatitis; maropitant (cerenia) is the drug of choice for treating emesis in pancreatitis cases. Maropitant is very safe and effective and may also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects which leads to it be the main drug for treating nausea and emesis in patients with pancreatitis. [4]

Hyporexia

Patients with pancreatitis often develop anorexia from nausea, whilst treating nausea resolves the anorexia patients are still often hyporexic. An orexigenic will help resolve hyporexia. Capromorelin is the preferred treatment in both cats and dogs. Mirtazapine is another good option for cats and can be used in dogs. [4]

Surgery

Surgery is only required in a few instances, namely: correction of biliary obstruction, feeding tube placement, and diagnostic peritoneal lavage. A laparoscopy allows for most of these procedures. [4]

Postpancreatitis management

A low-fat diet is indicated. [3] The use of drugs that are known to have an association with pancreatitis should be avoided. [20] [17] Some patients benefit from the use of pancreatic enzymes on a supplemental basis. One study indicated that 57% dogs followed for six months after an acute pancreatitis attack, either continued to exhibit inflammation of the organ or had decreased acinar cell function, though they had no pancreatitis symptoms. [20] [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancreas</span> Organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates

The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland. The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e., it has both an endocrine and a digestive exocrine function. 99% of the pancreas is exocrine and 1% is endocrine. As an endocrine gland, it functions mostly to regulate blood sugar levels, secreting the hormones insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. As a part of the digestive system, it functions as an exocrine gland secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct. This juice contains bicarbonate, which neutralizes acid entering the duodenum from the stomach; and digestive enzymes, which break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food entering the duodenum from the stomach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancreatitis</span> Inflammation of the pancreas

Pancreatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large organ behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and a number of hormones. There are two main types: acute pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis.

In medicine, the fecal fat test is a diagnostic test for fat malabsorption conditions, which lead to excess fat in the feces (steatorrhea).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute pancreatitis</span> Medical condition

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Causes, in order of frequency, include: a gallstone impacted in the common bile duct beyond the point where the pancreatic duct joins it; heavy alcohol use; systemic disease; trauma; and, in children, mumps. Acute pancreatitis may be a single event; it may be recurrent; or it may progress to chronic pancreatitis and/or pancreatic failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic pancreatitis</span> Medical condition

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that alters the organ's normal structure and functions. It can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. It is a disease process characterized by irreversible damage to the pancreas as distinct from reversible changes in acute pancreatitis. Tobacco smoke and alcohol misuse are two of the most frequently implicated causes, and the two risk factors are thought to have a synergistic effect with regards to the development of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digestive enzyme</span> Class of enzymes

Digestive enzymes take part in the chemical process of digestion, which follows the mechanical process of digestion. Food consists of macromolecules of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that need to be broken down chemically by digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, pancreas, and duodenum, before being able to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Initial breakdown is achieved by chewing (mastication) and the use of digestive enzymes of saliva. Once in the stomach further mechanical churning takes place mixing the food with secreted gastric acid. Digestive gastric enzymes take part in some of the chemical process needed for absorption. Most of the enzymatic activity, and hence absorption takes place in the duodenum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gastrointestinal disease</span> Illnesses of the digestive system

Gastrointestinal diseases refer to diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, namely the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum; and the accessory organs of digestion, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Trypsinogen is the precursor form of trypsin, a digestive enzyme. It is produced by the pancreas and found in pancreatic juice, along with amylase, lipase, and chymotrypsinogen. It is cleaved to its active form, trypsin, by enteropeptidase, which is found in the intestinal mucosa. Once activated, the trypsin can cleave more trypsinogen into trypsin, a process called autoactivation. Trypsin cleaves the peptide bond on the carboxyl side of basic amino acids such as arginine and lysine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancreatic enzymes (medication)</span> Amylase, lipase, and protease mixture

Pancreatic enzymes, also known as pancreases or pancrelipase and pancreatin, are commercial mixtures of amylase, lipase, protease and lactase. They are used to treat malabsorption syndrome due to certain pancreatic problems. These pancreatic problems may be due to cystic fibrosis, surgical removal of the pancreas, long term pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or MODY 5, among others. The preparation is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancreatectomy</span> Surgical removal of the pancreas

In medicine, a pancreatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas. Several types of pancreatectomy exist, including pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, segmental pancreatectomy, and total pancreatectomy. In total pancreatectomy, the gallbladder, distal stomach, a portion of the small intestine, associated lymph nodes and in certain cases the spleen are removed in addition to the entire pancreas. In recent years, the TP-IAT has also gained respectable traction within the medical community. These procedures are used in the management of several conditions involving the pancreas, such as benign pancreatic tumors, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency</span> Inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes from the pancreas

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the inability to properly digest food due to a lack or reduction of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas. EPI can occur in humans and is prevalent in many conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Shwachman–Diamond syndrome, different types of pancreatitis, multiple types of diabetes mellitus, advanced renal disease, older adults, celiac disease, IBS-D, IBD, HIV, alcohol-related liver disease, Sjogren syndrome, tobacco use, and use of somatostatin analogues.

Pancreatic diseases are diseases that affect the pancreas, an organ in most vertebrates and in humans and other mammals located in the abdomen. The pancreas plays a role in the digestive and endocrine system, producing enzymes which aid the digestion process and the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. The most common pancreatic disease is pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas which could come in acute or chronic form. Other pancreatic diseases include diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis, pseudocysts, cysts, congenital malformations, tumors including pancreatic cancer, and hemosuccus pancreaticus.

Pancreatic elastase is a form of elastase that is produced in the acinar cells of the pancreas, initially produced as an inactive zymogen and later activated in the duodenum by trypsin. Elastases form a subfamily of serine proteases, characterized by a distinctive structure consisting of two beta barrel domains converging at the active site that hydrolyze amides and esters amongst many proteins in addition to elastin, a type of connective tissue that holds organs together. Pancreatic elastase 1 is a serine endopeptidase, a specific type of protease that has the amino acid serine at its active site. Although the recommended name is pancreatic elastase, it can also be referred to as elastase-1, pancreatopeptidase, PE, or serine elastase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bladder stone (animal)</span> Common occurrence in animals

Bladder stones or uroliths are a common occurrence in animals, especially in domestic animals such as dogs and cats. Occurrence in other species, including tortoises, has been reported as well. The stones form in the urinary bladder in varying size and numbers secondary to infection, dietary influences, and genetics. Stones can form in any part of the urinary tract in dogs and cats, but unlike in humans, stones of the kidney are less common and do not often cause significant disease, although they can contribute to pyelonephritis and chronic kidney disease. Types of stones include struvite, calcium oxalate, urate, cystine, calcium phosphate, and silicate. Struvite and calcium oxalate stones are by far the most common. Bladder stones are not the same as bladder crystals but if the crystals coalesce unchecked in the bladder they can become stones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ductal cells</span>

Ductal cells refer to the epithelial cell lining of the pancreatic duct that deliver enzymes from the acinar cells to the duodenum. They have the essential function of producing bicarbonate-rich (HCO3-) secretion to neutralize stomach acidity. The hormone secretin stimulates ductal cells and is responsible for maintaining the duodenal pH and preventing duodenal injury from acidic chyme. Ductal cells mix their production with acinar cells to make up the pancreatic juice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas</span> Medical condition

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas, also acinar cell carcinoma, is a rare malignant exocrine tumour of the pancreas. It represents 5% of all exocrine tumours of the pancreas, making it the second most common type of pancreatic cancer. It is abbreviated ACC. It typically has a guarded prognosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancreatic tumor</span> Medical condition

A pancreatic tumor is an abnormal growth in the pancreas. In adults, almost 90% are pancreatic cancer and a few are benign. Pancreatic tumors are rare in children.

Type 3c diabetes is diabetes that comes secondary to pancreatic diseases, involving the exocrine and digestive functions of the pancreas. It also occurs following surgical removal of the pancreas.

Canine gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is an emerging biliary disease in dogs described as the excessive and abnormal accumulation of thick, gelatinous mucus in the lumen, which results in an enlarged gallbladder. GBMs have been diagnosed more frequently in comparison to prior to the 2000s when it was considered rare. The mucus is usually pale yellow to dark green in appearance.

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