How to determine the cause of pet pancreatitis and enzyme deficiency?

Thank you for using Boop by Petco! Depending on the cause of Lok's pancreatitis, the enzymes may be helpful. If the pancreatitis is due to some sort of dietary indiscretion, such as a high fat meal, then the enzymes are likely not necessary. However, if the condition is due to a pancreatic insufficiency, then enzymes may be appropriate. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. Just because a Lipase is elevated does not automatically indicate that a dog has pancreatitis. Serum lipase and even amylase can increase with multiple other causes, not just pancreatitis. This is why it is difficult to diagnose pancreatitis based on these levels alone. If Diesel is symptomatic for pancreatitis with these values, I would have additional testing performed to help confirm pancreatitis. I would even consider an abdominal ultrasound if possible. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I would not give Binx any additional medications or supplements as medications can cause pancreatitis. The pancreas aids in digestion by releasing digestive enzymes in to the duodenum (first segment of the small intestine). It also makes and releases insulin. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. The digestive enzymes that are normally excreted in to the small intestine are activated to early with in the pancreas, in a sense causing digestion of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be caused from medications, obesity, high fat foods or getting in to high fat foods and underlying diseases can be a risk factor. I hope this helps!

Pancreatitis is difficult to diagnose and is done by analyzing compatible clinical signs and lab test results. Cats with pancreatitis commonly experience lethargy, loss of appetite and occasionally vomit, but these clinical signs can also be caused by a variety of other conditions. Typical blood testing includes a CBC (red & white blood cell count and platelets), chemistry (to evaluate overall organ function, blood glucose and electrolytes), T4 (thyroid hormone), as well as a urinalysis (to evaluate kidney function and look for infection). If pancreatitis is still suspected, a blood test called an fPL can be done to either rule pancreatitis out or make you more suspicious of that as the diagnosis (this is not a conclusive test). Abdominal ultrasounds can be helpful to determine if the pancreas is inflamed or if other abnormalities are present, but these are not performed in all cases. Cats with pancreatitis commonly also have concurrent diseases - such as inflammatory bowel disease, c

It depends on the lab reference range of the lab used. A labs reference range for Lipase can be quite variable but it generally is around 200-1800 through Idexx and Antech's normal range is from 77-695. So in any case, your pets value is normal. The best way to help prevent future pancreatitis issues with your pet is to keep him on a low fat diet. I would recommend Hill's I/D low fat for long term management. Best of luck with Rocky moving forward. Take care!

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I am sorry that Angel has been so sick! Usually the need for pancreatic enzyme supplementation is based on blood work. Usually the TLI (a pancreatic enzyme) is low. Pancreatic enzyme are used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Which can result from chronic pancreatitis as can Diabetes. Use in dogs and cats is considered off label, so you would have to discuss the use in Angel with a Vet that has examined her. Cats reportedly hate the taste but may accept the powder if mixed with fish/tuna oil and then thoroughly mixed with a canned food. If using solid dosage forms (enteric-coated tablets or compounded capsules made from powder or crushed tablets) be certain that immediately after dosing, water or food is consumed to reduce the risk for esophageal damage. You may also want to consider a probiotic, like Purina Fortiflora. I hope this helps and I wish you and Angel the best!

Feeding him before blood tests is not ideal and can really influence tests results (especially if it is a snap test for pancreatitis). I would recommend to repeat the test with a quantitative one if possible before getting into hospitalisation and treatment which may not be needed.

Pancreatitis is a "spectrum disease" meaning that inflammation of the pancrease, which leads to high levels, can cause anywhere from no clinical signs to severe life threatening signs. We treat symptomatically, so if he is having no signs I would just leave him alone and give his normal diet. You can recheck the values in 2-3 weeks to see if they have come down. Good luck with Jeter.

According to VCA animal hospital (which summarizes it very nicely!): Laboratory tests usually reveal an elevated white blood cell count; however, an elevated white blood cell count may also be caused by other conditions besides pancreatitis. If there is an elevation of pancreatic enzymes in the blood, the diagnosis is confirmed, but many cats with pancreatitis will have normal pancreatic enzyme levels. In recent years, a new pancreatic test has become available to diagnose pancreatitis even if pancreatic enzyme levels are normal. Radiographs may show changes associated with inflammation in the area of the pancreas with severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Ultrasound studies may be more helpful by showing inflammation in the pancreas or surrounding area. Unfortunately, many cats with pancreatitis will elude detection with any of these tests. Consequently, the diagnosis of pancreatitis may be tentative or presumptive in many cases, based solely on clinical signs and medical history. I hop

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Rocky. Lipase values can be elevated in cases of pancreatitis and occasionally liver and kidney disease. However, it is a not a very sensitive marker of this disease. For this reason, if the remainder of his blood work is normal and he is not acting sick, then I do not worry too much about an elevation in lipase. I hope this information helps!