Premature Enzyme Activation Pancreatitis in Cats

Has your cat ever had repeated or continuous episodes of diarrhea or vomiting? Maybe your vet has given you medication and the issue seemed to go away for a while but then came back.

- Nancy Kerr

Does your cat seemed to be on the thin side even after a spay or neuter when they should have put on the feline equivalent of “the freshman 15?” The reason could be a condition known as pancreatitis.

What is Pancreatitis?

The pancreas is a vital organ, located on the right side of the abdomen next to the stomach. Pancreatitis occurs when this organ becomes inflamed. While weighing only about six to eight ounces,1

it consists of two separate parts that serve two very different vital functions for maintaining a cat’s health. The first part, the endocrine pancreas, produces various hormones. Two of the main hormones produced by the pancreas are glucagon and insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels.1 The second part, the exocrine pancreas, produces enzymes which are delivered to the intestinal tract to aid in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. If these enzymes become activated prematurely, they can seep into the pancreas and surrounding tissue, causing damage and inflammation.1 Cats can develop issues specific to each part of the pancreas. Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder of the endocrine pancreas, while exocrine pancreas can be affected by pancreatitis.

Inflammation of the liver and intestines may also be seen with pancreatitis. This multi-organ inflammation is sometimes referred to as ‘triaditis’. This occurs because the inflammation associated with acute pancreatitis allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity.2 Pancreatitis is not breed specific nor is it related to the age or sex of a cat.