Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Occurs following activation of digestive enzymes within the [[Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology|pancreas]] leading to autodigestion of the gland. Can be referred to as Acute or chronic pancreatitis.  

Occurs following activation of digestive enzymes within the [[Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology|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.  

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' in 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:

The specific cause is usually idiopathic but several risk factors exist including

'''Nutritional''': including obesity, low protein and high fat diets, feeding of ethionine, hypertriglyceridaemia and fatty meals.

A '''Nutritional''' basis which refers to obesity, low protein and high fat diets, feeding of ethionine, hypertriglyceridaemia and fatty meals.

'''Drugs and toxins''': including L-asparginase, oestrogen, azathioprine, potassium bromide, furosemide, thiazide diuretics, salicylates, [[Tetracyclines|tetracyclines]], [[Sulphonamides|sulphonamides]], vinca alkaloids, zinc toxicosis, cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides, cholinergic agonist and hypercalcaemia.

'''Drugs and toxins''' including L-asparginase, oestrogen, azathioprine, potassium bromide, furosemide, thiazide diuretics, salicylates, [[Tetracyclines|tetracyclines]], [[Sulphonamides|sulphonamides]], vinca alkaloids, zinc toxicosis, cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides, cholinergic agonist and hypercalcaemia.

'''Pancreatic Duct obstruction''': caused by biliary calculi, sphincter spasm, duct wall oedema, duodenal wall oedema, neoplasia, parasites, trauma and iatrogenic reasons.

'''Pancreatic Duct obstruction''' which is caused by biliary calculi, sphincter spasm, duct wall oedema, duodenal wall oedema, neoplasia, parasites, trauma and iatrogenic reasons.

'''Duodenal juice reflux, Pancreatic trauma, ischaemia and reperfusion''': including duodenal juice reflux into the pancreatic duct, surgical intervention, shock, anaemia, venous occlusion and hypotension.  

'''Duodenal juice reflux, Pancreatic trauma, ischaemia and reperfusion''' which includes duodenal juice reflux into the pancreatic duct, surgical intervention, shock, anaemia, venous occlusion and hypotension.  

'''Other''': including parasitic (babesiosis), viral, mycoplasmal, end stage renal disease, liver disease and auto-immune diseases.

'''Other''' risk factors include parasitic (babesiosis), viral, mycoplasmal, end stage renal disease, liver disease and auto-immune diseases.

Cats mainly suffer from mild chronic interstitial pancreatitis.

Cats mainly suffer from mild chronic interstitial pancreatitis.