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| *Male and speyed females > intact females. | | *Male and speyed females > intact females. |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | Can be referred to as Acute or chronic pancreatitis. | + | Is due to the activation of digestive enzymes within the pancreas leading to autodigestion of the gland. Can be referred to as Acute or chronic pancreatitis. |
− | *'''Acute Pancreatitis''' is rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas with little or no pathological changes occuring post recovery. | + | *'''Acute Pancreatitis''' is rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas with little or no pathological changes occuring post recovery. This may completely resolve or 'wax and wane' into the future. |
| *'''Chronic Pancreatitis''' is continued inflammation leading to irreversible pathological changes (fibrosis, atrophy) and possible decreases in function. | | *'''Chronic Pancreatitis''' is continued inflammation leading to irreversible pathological changes (fibrosis, atrophy) and possible decreases in function. |
| + | |
| + | The specific cause is usually idiopathic but several risk factors exist: |
| + | #'''Nutritional and hypertriglyceridaemia''': |
| + | #'''Drugs, toxins and hypercalcaemia''': |
| + | #'''Pancreatic Duct obstruction''': |
| + | #'''Duodenal juice reflux, Pancreatic trauma, ischaemia and reperfusion''': |
| + | #'''Other''': |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | Cats mainly suffer from mild chronic interstitial pancreatitis. |
| ==Diagnosis== | | ==Diagnosis== |
| ===History=== | | ===History=== |
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| ===Diagnostic Imaging=== | | ===Diagnostic Imaging=== |
| + | |
| + | ===Exploratory Laparotomy/Necropsy Findings=== |
| + | *The pancreas will be oedematous, soft with fibrinous attachments to surrounding organs |
| + | *Free fluid within the peritoneal cavity |
| + | *Pancreas liquefaction if severe enough |
| + | *Formation of pseudocysts |
| + | *Omental and pancreatic haemorrhages |
| + | *Areas of fat necrosis |
| + | |
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| ==Treatment== | | ==Treatment== |