What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a small fleshy organ between the stomach and the small intestine. The pancreas has many functions related to digestion and the regulation of blood sugar levels.
In the cat, inflammation of the pancreas is often part of a more extensive inflammatory condition that typically involves the liver and intestine, as well as the pancreas. Clinical signs are often vague and non-specific, including lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, and dehydration. Some cats may have intermittent vomiting or diarrhea and may show signs of abdominal pain.
Can routine tests be used to diagnose pancreatitis in a cat?
Routine blood tests such as the complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry profile (see the handouts "Complete Blood Count" and "Serum Biochemistry") usually reveal a variety of changes, but these are not specific for pancreatitis; most indicate the involvement of other organ systems. Two enzymes that have a small role in diagnosing pancreatitis in the dog, serum amylase and serum lipase, do not help diagnose pancreatitis in the cat.
What is pancreas-specific lipase?
Pancreas-specific lipase is a form of lipase produced only in the pancreas. It is highly specific to the pancreas, and blood values increase only when there is pancreatic inflammation.
How is pancreas-specific lipase measured? What sample is required?
Pancreas-specific lipase is measured with a test called Feline Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity, known simply as fPLI. The test requires only a simple blood test. A fasting sample is preferred, but it is not essential for the accuracy of the test.
"Pancreas-specific lipase is measured with a test called Feline Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity, known simply as fPLI."
Does the sample have to be sent away to a diagnostic laboratory?
A version of the fPLI test can now be used in-clinic (SNAP fPL© from IDEXX). This rapid test takes only a few minutes and indicates whether pancreatitis could be causing the cat’s illness. Ideally, the sample should also be sent to the laboratory to get an actual value of fPLI. This will help confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis and provide a starting point or baseline that can be used to monitor the pet’s progress after treatment is started.
How reliable is the fPLI test?
Studies have demonstrated that the fPLI test is highly reliable for diagnosing pancreatitis in cats with moderate to severe pancreatitis. Cats with mild disease are more difficult to diagnose reliably. However, fPLI outperforms all other blood tests and is considered the best for diagnosing cats’ pancreatitis.
Can fPLI be used to monitor cats receiving treatment for pancreatitis?
Studies have demonstrated that the fPLI test is highly reliable for diagnosing pancreatitis in cats with moderate to severe pancreatitis. Cats with mild disease are more difficult to diagnose reliably. However, fPLI outperforms all other blood tests and is considered the best for diagnosing cats’ pancreatitis.
"...fPLI outperforms all other blood tests and is considered the best for diagnosing cats’ pancreatitis."
Which cats should be tested for pancreatitis using fPLI?
The fPLI test should be considered for the following:
- Cats with signs of illness consistent with pancreatitis (lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, vomiting, etc.).
- Cats with liver and/or intestinal disease (which often accompanies pancreatitis in the cat).
- Cats recently diagnosed as diabetic or diabetic cats with poorly controlled disease (these cats may have underlying pancreatitis, making diabetes harder to control).
