Clinical and laboratory investigation of experimental acute pancreatitis in the cat

N. S. Zavros, Tim S. Rallis, A. F. Koutinas, I. Vlemmas, K. K. Adamama-Moraitou, J. M. Steiner, D. A. Williams, L. G. Papazoglou, G. D. Brellou, M. N. Patsikas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The main objective of this study is the serial evaluation of clinical and laboratory changes in cats with experimentally-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). A total of 16 clinically healthy young adult DSH cats were included in the study. Acute pancreatitis was induced in 10 (AP group) by infusing oleic acid into the pancreatic duct, while the other 6 cats served as sham-operated controls (C group). Depression or lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, and a palpable mass in the anterior abdomen were the main clinical findings in cats of the AP group. Laboratory data revealed non-regenerative anaemia, mild hypoalbuminaemia, transient hyperglycaemia, and hypertriglyceridaemia. Serum lipase activity, feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration, and feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentration increased significantly within the first 24 hours after the infusion of oleic acid, with time-dependent positive correlation. In both group of cats urine amylase-creatinine ratio and amylase-creatinine clearance ratio were increased. In cats of the AP group, abdominal ultrasonography revealed a hypoechogenic and enlarged pancreas, along with peripancreatic fluid accumulation. Peritoneal effusion was consistent with a sterile exudate, with higher lipase but lower amylase activities when compared to their serum counterparts in all AP group cats. The induction of AP was confirmed by pancreatic histopathology. AP is characterized by vague symptomatology. Increases in serum fTLI and fPLI concentrations occur early in cats with pancreatitis. In general the two analyses run a parallel course, but fPLI may be increased longer than fTLI. The measurement of lipase activity in the peritoneal fluid could be considered diagnostic.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)105-114
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Journal of Inflammation
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Cat
  • FPLI
  • FTLI
  • Lipase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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