cat with pancreas problems

possible to forward me the article?




"J. Martin" wrote in message
. cable.rogers.com...

"bob" wrote in message
om...
I have a 13 yr old male cat. A blood test on him (1st time the cat had a
blood test) tells that an enzyme in his blood is very high due to the
pancreas not working properly, possibly pancreatic cancer. The normal
level
for this enzyme is 300-1100, his level has varied during his 3 blood
tests
from 2400-3600. Problem is that he shows no signs of being ill. No
weight
loss, no appetite loss, no loss of energy, no problems in the litterbox,
so
the vet recommended a specialist. The vet is a very young girl, maybe
1st
yr
practicing.

Any other possibilities beside cancer of pancreas that could cause this?



The enzymes associated with pancreatitis in dogs are amylase and lipase so
I
am assuming the elevated value is one of these. In cats these enzymes are
not specific for pancreatic disease and the significance of elevations in
these enzymes is often unknown. For example an increase in amylase in
cats
is more likely to be associated with renal disease or intestinal disease
than pancreatitis. If renal values are normal and urine concentration is
normal and there is no weight loss or intestinal problems then I might
consider just continuing to monitor bloodwork every 3-6 months. If you
wanted to investigate more thoroughly I would suggest xrays and ultrasound
and a feline TLI test (or better yet a feline PLI test if available). One
of my posts under "opinions on fatty liver/possible feline pancreatitis" a
little further up in this group has an exerpt on feline pancreatitis from
a
conference proceeding.

"bob" wrote in message
om...

i'm getting an ultrasound in 2 days at a specialist..would that tell
conclusively what is wrong (if anything)?

bob


An ultrasound by a specialist is probably the most important test you could
have done. If may show what is wrong - if anything. In addition a
specialist will be in a good position to recommend any further testing if
needed.

"bob" wrote in message
om...

i'm getting an ultrasound in 2 days at a specialist..would that tell
conclusively what is wrong (if anything)?

bob


An ultrasound by a specialist is probably the most important test you could
have done. If may show what is wrong - if anything. In addition a
specialist will be in a good position to recommend any further testing if
needed.

Run, don't walk, to an experienced male vet. I have had so much trouble from
female vets, its rediculous.

Chelle.

he vet is a very young girl, maybe 1st yr
practicing.



"The day may come when the rest of the animal creation may acquire those rights
which never could have been withholden from them but by the hand of tyranny.
The question is not can they REASON, nor can they TALK, but can they SUFFER?"
-- Jeremy Bentham

Run, don't walk, to an experienced male vet. I have had so much trouble from
female vets, its rediculous.

Chelle.

he vet is a very young girl, maybe 1st yr
practicing.



"The day may come when the rest of the animal creation may acquire those rights
which never could have been withholden from them but by the hand of tyranny.
The question is not can they REASON, nor can they TALK, but can they SUFFER?"
-- Jeremy Bentham