Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Little information is available about the clinical presentation and response to treatment of cats with exocrine
pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
OBJECTIVES : To describe the signalment, clinical signs, concurrent diseases, and response to treatment of cats with EPI.
ANIMALS : One hundred and fifty cats with EPI.
METHODS : Retrospective case series.
RESULTS : Questionnaires were sent to 261 veterinarians, and 150 (57%) were returned with data suitable for statistical
analysis. The median age of the cats with EPI was 7.7 years. The median body condition score was 3 of 9. Ninety-two of
119 cats (77%) had hypocobalaminemia, and 56 of 119 cats (47%) had increased and 6 of 119 cats (5%) had decreased
serum folate concentrations. Clinical signs included weight loss (91%), unformed feces (62%), poor hair coat (50%), anorexia
(45%), increased appetite (42%), lethargy (40%), watery diarrhea (28%), and vomiting (19%). Eighty-seven cats
(58%) had concurrent diseases. Treatment response was reported to be good in 60%, partial in 27%, and poor in 13% of
121 cats. Trypsin-like immunoreactivity <4 lg/L was associated with a positive response to treatment (OR, 3.2; 95% CI,
1.5–7.0; P = .004). Also, cobalamin supplementation improved the response to treatment (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4–6.6;
P = .006).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE : Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cats often has a different clinical presentation
than in dogs. The age range for EPI in cats is wide, and many cats can be ≤5 years of age. Most cats respond well to appropriate
treatment for EPI, and cobalamin supplementation appears to be necessary for a good response.
Description:
Some of the results of this study were presented at the 2012
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, New
Orleans, LA.
