Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency : a retrospective study of 150 cases

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Authors

Xenoulis, P.G.
Zoran, D.L.
Fosgate, Geoffrey Theodore
Suchodolski, J.S.
Steiner, J.M.

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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

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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.