Difference between revisions of "Pancreatitis"
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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 | ||
| + | |||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Revision as of 13:51, 12 August 2009
 |
This article is still under construction. |
Signalment
- Yorkshire terriers, Labradors, Miniature Schnauzers and Miniature Poodles are predisposed
- Middle-old aged dogs
- Increased risk with obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticalism, prior GIT disease or epilepsy (?treatment associated).
- Male and speyed females > intact females.
Description
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. 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.
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
History
Clinical Signs
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood, fresh or melaena, due to the proximity of inflamed pancreas to the duodenum and colon)
- More severe cases may present in shock, acute renal failure, jaundiced (due to focal hepatic necrosis), or with cardiac arrhythmias or pulmonary oedema or pleural effusions, widespread haemorrhage or DIC
- Acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis may present as circulatory collapse
Laboratory Tests
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
Treatment
Prognosis
References
Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition) BSAVA
Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual