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Pancreatitis – a condition
where the pancreas is inflammed – was once thought
to happen in dogs but not cats. Nowadays, I diagnose it
more frequently in cats than dogs, because a new blood test
has allowed us to detect it much more easily. Because of
their close internal proximity, the liver, pancreas and
bowel can all develop inflammation concurrently in cats
– a condition called “triaditis” – triad
referring to the involvement of the three organs. Some cats
just develop a problem in one or two of these organs, whilst
others get “the full whammy” with all three areas
being affected at once. This is a relatively common condition
– so much so that in the past year, I have diagnosed
it in 3 cats belonging to our current and former members
of staff.
“Chloe”, owned by our head nurse
Erain, had longstanding intermittent vomiting, due to inflammation
in her bowels, and periodically became much more subdued
and lethargic when the inflammation in her pancreas also
flared up. Her vomiting was so forceful that on several
occasions she fainted afterwards.
“Fleur”, a Siamese owned by our
ex-nurse Tracy (now training as a “human” nurse)
was diagnosed with liver problems a few years ago. More
recently, vomiting and diarrhoea also became an issue, at
which point we realised she also had bowel involvement and
“triaditis”.
“Tiffany”, a champion Somali
show cat owned by our now-retired secretary - Jo - suffered
significant weight loss and diarrhoea, and was diagnosed
with all three parts of the triaditis complex. In fact,
her pancreas had been so badly damaged by the inflammation
that it had stopped working altogether, leaving her unable
to produce the enzymes needed to digest her food.
All three cats, I am pleased to report, are
responding extremely well to treatment. They are on a combination
of special diets, anti-inflammatories, vitamin and other
dietary supplements...to name but a few! We still don’t
know for certain what triggers the condition – it may
be allergies to certain components of food or an abnormal
response of the immune system to gut bacteria.....perhaps
in another 15 years I will have all the answers!
Geraldine
Young BVSc CertSAM MRCVS
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