Feline Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Thompson K, Parnell N, Hohenhaus A, Moore G, Rondeau M. Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: 16 cases (1992-2007). J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(12):935-940.

This study reviewed the medical records of 16 cats diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The exocrine pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the upper small intestine (duodenum) and when there is an insufficiency of pancreatic digestive enzymes, macronutrients (amino acids, triglycerides, and carbohydrates) are not broken down into smaller units and absorbed by the small intestine. Weight loss was the most common clinical sign noted in 15 cats (94%) followed by diarrhea, polyphagia and vomiting. Concurrent disease was found in 10 of 16 cats (63%). Some of the concurrent diseases were lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and gastritis, urinary tract disease and hepatic disease. Diagnosis was confirmed with either a serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration less than 12 mcg/l or a fecal proteolytic activity (FPA) less than 6 mm for three consecutive days. The most common laboratory abnormalities were normocytic normochromic anemia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, increased alanine transferase activity, hyperglycemia, and increased bilirubin concentrations. All 10 cats tested for serum cobalamin levels were found to be deficient. All 10 cats tested for serum folate concentrations had normal to increased levels. Ten of the 11 cats undergoing treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement had a partial response. Feline EPI appears to be an uncommon disease in cats in that the prevalence at four institutions was less than 0.1% of all cats seen. EPI should still be considered as a differential diagnosis in any cat with weight loss or poor growth and when other more common diseases have been ruled out. Concurrent disease is common in feline EPI. Since cobalamin deficiency is common in cats with EPI, cats should also receive cobalamin supplementation to improve response to treatment. [VT]

Related articles:
Steiner J, Williams D. Serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity in cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. J Vet Intern Med. 2000;14(6):627.

Steiner J, Williams D. Feline exocrine pancreatic disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):551-575.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Thompson K, Parnell N, Hohenhaus A, Moore G, Rondeau M. Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: 16 cases (1992-2007). J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(12):935-940.

This study reviewed the medical records of 16 cats diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The exocrine pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the upper small intestine (duodenum) and when there is an insufficiency of pancreatic digestive enzymes, macronutrients (amino acids, triglycerides, and carbohydrates) are not broken down into smaller units and absorbed by the small intestine. Weight loss was the most common clinical sign noted in 15 cats (94%) followed by diarrhea, polyphagia and vomiting. Concurrent disease was found in 10 of 16 cats (63%). Some of the concurrent diseases were lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and gastritis, urinary tract disease and hepatic disease. Diagnosis was confirmed with either a serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration less than 12 mcg/l or a fecal proteolytic activity (FPA) less than 6 mm for three consecutive days. The most common laboratory abnormalities were normocytic normochromic anemia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, increased alanine transferase activity, hyperglycemia, and increased bilirubin concentrations. All 10 cats tested for serum cobalamin levels were found to be deficient. All 10 cats tested for serum folate concentrations had normal to increased levels. Ten of the 11 cats undergoing treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement had a partial response. Feline EPI appears to be an uncommon disease in cats in that the prevalence at four institutions was less than 0.1% of all cats seen. EPI should still be considered as a differential diagnosis in any cat with weight loss or poor growth and when other more common diseases have been ruled out. Concurrent disease is common in feline EPI. Since cobalamin deficiency is common in cats with EPI, cats should also receive cobalamin supplementation to improve response to treatment. [VT]

Related articles:
Steiner J, Williams D. Serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity in cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. J Vet Intern Med. 2000;14(6):627.

Steiner J, Williams D. Feline exocrine pancreatic disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):551-575.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Weight Loss Diets for Cats

Linder D, Freeman L. Evaluation of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight loss in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):74-77.

Obesity is a very common health problem in dogs and cats, with between 22 and 44% of the dog and cat populations in the United States currently overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to determine the range of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight management in dogs and cats. Forty-nine feline diets had a weight management claim with feeding directions for weight loss or implied weight management claims. The feeding directions for weight loss were compared with resting energy requirements (RER) for current body weight by use of a standard body weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb) for feline diets. More than half of all foods in the study had a caloric density greater than the AAFCO maximum caloric density for light diets. This would make successfully attaining weight loss without carefully controlling caloric intake difficult. Another problem noted in the study was a wide range in feeding directions and high variability in estimates of calorie requirements for weight loss. Therefore, successful weight loss is unlikely with most diets. Most pets require caloric restriction to less than the RER for current body weight and some must have substantially less than the RER to achieve weight loss. It is always necessary to adjust feeding recommendations for each animal. Weight loss requires lifestyle changes such as an increase in physical activity. The authors recommended pet food companies could assist in improving pet health by developing foods with lower caloric density on a volume basis, making accurate feeding directions based on optimal weight rather than current weight, and providing caloric information on all labels of pet foods and treats. [VT]

Related articles:
Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD, Delaney SJ. An evidence-based review of the use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplementation for the management of obese and overweight pets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Jun 1 2008;232(11):1646-1655.

German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. Jul 2006;136(7 Suppl):1940S-1946S.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Linder D, Freeman L. Evaluation of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight loss in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):74-77.

Obesity is a very common health problem in dogs and cats, with between 22 and 44% of the dog and cat populations in the United States currently overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to determine the range of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight management in dogs and cats. Forty-nine feline diets had a weight management claim with feeding directions for weight loss or implied weight management claims. The feeding directions for weight loss were compared with resting energy requirements (RER) for current body weight by use of a standard body weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb) for feline diets. More than half of all foods in the study had a caloric density greater than the AAFCO maximum caloric density for light diets. This would make successfully attaining weight loss without carefully controlling caloric intake difficult. Another problem noted in the study was a wide range in feeding directions and high variability in estimates of calorie requirements for weight loss. Therefore, successful weight loss is unlikely with most diets. Most pets require caloric restriction to less than the RER for current body weight and some must have substantially less than the RER to achieve weight loss. It is always necessary to adjust feeding recommendations for each animal. Weight loss requires lifestyle changes such as an increase in physical activity. The authors recommended pet food companies could assist in improving pet health by developing foods with lower caloric density on a volume basis, making accurate feeding directions based on optimal weight rather than current weight, and providing caloric information on all labels of pet foods and treats. [VT]

Related articles:
Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD, Delaney SJ. An evidence-based review of the use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplementation for the management of obese and overweight pets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Jun 1 2008;232(11):1646-1655.

German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. Jul 2006;136(7 Suppl):1940S-1946S.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More