Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency : a retrospective study of 150 cases
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Date
Authors
Xenoulis, P.G.
Zoran, D.L.
Fosgate, Geoffrey Theodore
Suchodolski, J.S.
Steiner, J.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
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.
Keywords
Cobalamin, Treatment, Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), Signalment, Clinical signs, Concurrent diseases, Cats
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Xenoulis, PG, Zoran, DL, Fosgate, GT, Suchodolski, JS & Steiner, JM 2016, 'Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency : a retrospective study of 150 cases', Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 30, no. 6, pp. 1790-1797.