Changes

[[Diarrhoea|Diarrhoea]] is also a common feature sometimes with blood, fresh or melaena this occurs due to the proximity of inflamed pancreas to the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]].

[[Diarrhoea|Diarrhoea]] is also a common feature sometimes with blood, fresh or melaena this occurs due to the proximity of inflamed pancreas to the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]].

More severe cases may present in [[Shock|shock]], [[Kidney Renal Failure - Pathology#Acute|acute renal failure]], [[Icterus|jaundiced]] (due to focal hepatic necrosis), or with cardiac arrhythmias. Pulmonary oedema, pleural effusions, widespread haemorrhage, [[Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation|DIC]], mild ascites, dehydration (mild to moderate) and pyrexia may also be present.

More severe cases may present in [[Shock|shock]], [[Acute Renal Failure|acute renal failure]], [[Icterus|jaundiced]] (due to focal hepatic necrosis), or with cardiac arrhythmias. Pulmonary oedema, pleural effusions, widespread haemorrhage, [[Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation|DIC]], mild ascites, dehydration (mild to moderate) and pyrexia may also be present.

A cranial abdominal mass may be palpated.  

A cranial abdominal mass may be palpated.  

====Pancreas-specific laboratory tests====

====Pancreas-specific laboratory tests====

All pancreatic enzymes increase following [[Kidney Renal Failure - Pathology|renal failure]] (apart from PLI) making it difficult to determine the true cause of the increase. However increases of three fold are mainly due to pancreatitis, whereas five fold increases are rarely not found to be pancreatitis. Rises in lipase, amylase and phospholipase A2 may also be hepatic, gastric, intestinal or neoplastic in origin.  

All pancreatic enzymes increase following [[:Category:Renal Failure|renal failure]] (apart from PLI) making it difficult to determine the true cause of the increase. However increases of three fold are mainly due to pancreatitis, whereas five fold increases are rarely not found to be pancreatitis. Rises in lipase, amylase and phospholipase A2 may also be hepatic, gastric, intestinal or neoplastic in origin.  

'''In cats:''' Amylase and lipase are of no diagnostic value. Serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) is a specific test for exocrine pancreatic function but the test's sensitivity varies between 30% and 60%. In comparison, the serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test (fPLI) has been found to be more specific and sensitive in diagnosing feline pancreatitis.

'''In cats:''' Amylase and lipase are of no diagnostic value. Serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) is a specific test for exocrine pancreatic function but the test's sensitivity varies between 30% and 60%. In comparison, the serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test (fPLI) has been found to be more specific and sensitive in diagnosing feline pancreatitis.