Disorder - Pancreatic insufficiency, exocrine

Organ Systems Involved
Gastrointestinal

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Diabetes mellitus; Intestinal cobalamin malabsorption; Pancreatitis

Alternative Names
EPI

Presenting Signs

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that affects a cat's ability to digest the food it eats. EPI occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough of the enzymes required to digest food. This is usually caused by chronic pancreatitis, which results in destruction of the areas of the pancreas that are responsible for making these enzymes. Some other causes include infestation with pancreatic fluke (not present in Australia) and pancreatic tumours.

Cats that have EPI often have a normal to increased appetite but still lose weight. Because cats with EPI cannot digest the food that they eat they often produce large amounts of light coloured faeces that can be loose, fatty and have a rancid smell. Owners sometimes notice greasy soiling of the coat because of the type of faeces the cat passes. EPI is diagnosed by the symptoms and a blood test called the feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity.

Cats at Risk

No risk factors have been identified for EPI directly but there are recorded risk factors for pancreatitis which is usually the cause of EPI. Risk factors for pancreatitis in the cat include: cats older than seven years and concurrent diseases e.g. triaditis, inflammatory bowel disease, cholangiohepatitis, hepatic lipidosis and diabetes mellitus.

Treatment

Treatment is life-long and involves giving an oral supplement that contains the enzymes that the pancreas is not producing. Changing the diet of the cats is controversial. Many cats will require B vitamin supplements as well.

PubMed References
Pancreatic insufficiency, exocrine

Contributor
Nicholas Cleland