What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency? By Dr. Becker. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), also called pancreatic insufficiency and maldigestion syndrome, is thought to be rare in cats. However, according to dvm. EPI as a potential cause of diarrhea and chronic weight loss in kitties. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. The pancreas has many functions. It produces not only insulin, but also various enzymes that provide for the digestion of food. Many people are aware the pancreas plays a role in insulin production and diabetes; relatively few people realize the role the pancreas can play in digestive diseases. Pancreatic enzymes include amylase, which breaks down starches; lipase, which breaks down fats; and trypsin and chymotrypsin, which break down proteins. The actions of these enzymes are crucial to the digestive process. ![]() They allow nutrients from the diet to be absorbed by the cells of the intestine, where they pass into the bloodstream and are transported throughout the body for use by tissues. When a cat eats, the pancreas gets a signal to release digestive enzymes, which travel into the small intestine via the pancreatic duct (“exocrine” glands secrete their products into ducts, whereas “endocrine” glands secrete their products directly into the bloodstream). Once they reach the center of the intestine, the enzymes go to work breaking down food particles. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency means there is a decrease or lack of digestive enzymes being produced by the pancreas. In kitties with the disorder, proteins, starches and fats from the diet aren’t broken down sufficiently to be absorbed through the intestinal wall. This means nutrients can’t get into the bloodstream to supply nourishment to the body’s tissues. Much of the food that is eaten remains undigested in the GI tract and ultimately leaves the body in feces. Back to TopSymptoms. Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors may cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. What are the signs and symptoms of colon cancer? If left untreated, a cat with EPI can literally starve to death despite how much food is consumed. Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis of EPIPancreatic insufficiency can have several potential causes, but the most common source in cats is chronic inflammation of the pancreas. Other causes are parasitic infestations, as well as cancer. Signs a kitty may be dealing with EPI include weight loss; constant hunger; lots of watery, loose or semi- loose stools that may have a foul odor and contain large quantities of undigested fat; and poor coat condition.
Cancer Definition. Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost 100 diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the.Cats with this disorder look and behave as though they are starving to death . Prior to the availability of the f. TLI, diagnosis was trickier and involved taking a symptom history and running repeated fecal digestion tests. Results of Largest Feline EPI Study to Date. In 2. 01. 0, the GI Laboratory at Texas A& M University received 7. TLI assay results that were consistent with a diagnosis of feline EPI. Then in 2. 01. 1, researchers from the GI Laboratory and Department of Clinical Sciences at Texas A& M conducted an EPI survey of veterinarians who submitted samples. One hundred- fifty surveys were returned. The average age of affected cats with the condition was eight years. Males represented 5. Average body condition of the kitties was poor. Of the cats for which cobalamin (vitamin B1. B1. 2 at all. For those that had folate concentrations tested, 4. As for symptoms, in 9. Weight loss varied from 1. Loose stools were seen in 6. Almost 6. 0 percent of the cats had coexisting diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, pancreatitis and hepatic lipidosis. Of the kitties with EPI, 6. Of those, 6. 6 percent showed a good response, 2. What These Results Mean for Cat Owners and Vets. According to dvm. However, symptoms in cats vary noticeably from canine symptoms. In cases of feline EPI, diarrhea isn’t a consistent finding and isn’t as severe as it is in dogs dealing with the disease. Also in cats, excessive hunger is not consistently present, and in fact about half the cats in the survey showed a decrease in appetite. Treatment with pancreatic enzyme supplementation appears to be successful in a large percentage of kitties with EPI. If there are also low cobalamin levels, subcutaneous (under the skin) supplementation for several weeks is often required to help resolve gastrointestinal symptoms. Also, EPI can be associated with small intestinal dysbiosis (also called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO), especially when low B1. Cat owners and especially veterinarians should consider f. TLI, cobalamin and folate tests for kitties with unexplained weight loss or chronic diarrhea, regardless of the pet’s age. These tests could conceivably eliminate the need for more expensive and invasive diagnostic procedures. EPI should also be viewed as a possible concurrent condition in diabetic cats whose blood sugar levels are well controlled but who have weight loss and/or diarrhea. High Protein Blood Causes: Test For Elevated Levels Of Serum Protein. Your blood contains a certain amount of protein that helps regulate various body functions, fight against infections and facilitate chemical reactions in the body. For a normal healthy person, protein in blood usually falls between 6. However, in case you are suffering from some serious health condition, the protein level in your blood will be unusually high. Do a protein test to find out if there is a serious health problem you need to treat right away! Symptoms of High Protein in Blood. Albumin and globulin are the two main types of serum proteins present in the blood. Vitamins, minerals, lipids and hormones are transported around your body by these proteins. A million things occupy your mind and keep you busy all day. In order to stay healthy, however, it is important to pay attention to the almost inconspicuous bodily changes. It is best to consult your doctor immediately, in case you experience regular bouts of: Appetite loss. Diarrhea. Dizziness. Drop in blood pressure. Fever. Nausea. Numbness or a tingling sensation in your fingers or toes. Severe fatigue. Unexplained weight loss. These are some of the most common symptoms of high protein in the blood. The symptoms may vary, depending upon the causes. There have been quite a few instances where the doc has diagnosed elevated blood protein count even before any symptoms were noticed. Visit your GP in case any of the above symptoms crop up and recur. What Causes High Blood Protein Levels? A common misconception is that a high protein diet is responsible for increased levels of protein in the blood. This surmise is however far from the medical truth. Obtain the right information and treat the condition more effectively. Factors that lead to high blood protein levels are usually a lot more serious. You could trace the causes of high blood protein levels to: Amyloidosis Bone marrow disorders Chronic infection or inflammation of the tissues or the liver Congestive heart failure Dehydration HIV / AIDS Hepatitis B or C Immune system dysfunction (caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis) Multiple Myeloma Tumors in the bladder. In some cases, high blood protein could also occur due to the regular use of nephrotoxic drugs. Treatment for Abnormally High Protein Count. Your doctor may design the treatment for the abnormally high protein count in the blood based on the underlying cause as well as the severity of the condition. This means that your doctor will focus on controlling the condition that has caused the problem, which in turn should bring the levels of protein in the blood back to normal. Prompt diagnosis and treatments could help you recover at a faster rate. Along with taking medicines, here’s what you can do to aid the treatment: Eat healthy – Your diet should contain a variety of vegetables and pulses that provide you with essential nutrients and vitamins. Peaceful repose – Get the recommended amount of sleep, rest and exercise that your body needs each day. Release pent- up stress – Practice meditation, yoga and deep breathing to calm down and just relax. Visit your doctor regularly so that your treatment for high levels of blood protein is better supervised. Test for increased blood protein levels. The amount of protein present in the blood can be measured through a blood test, where a small sample of blood is drawn from your vein. There is a risk of bleeding in this test and you may experience some pain while the blood is being drawn. A protein urine test could also be used to gauge the quantity of proteins that are present in a urine sample. There is no discomfort or known risk associated with this test; you just need to provide a urine sample. At times, you may be asked to provide a 2. Do bear in mind that certain factors could alter the test results. If you have been taking any medication just before the test, you need to inform your healthcare provider about it. Some of the other factors that could also interfere with the blood protein test results are: Contamination of the urine with vaginal fluids. Dehydration. Excessive emotional stress. Strenuous exercise. Urinary Tract infection (UTI)In case you’ve been through a radiology scan within 3 days before the protein test, inform your doctor. During pregnancy. During pregnancy, most healthcare providers will ask you to go through a urine test, just to rule out the possibilities of any health problems. Excess blood protein is usually detected through this test. Elevated blood protein during pregnancy could be a sign of: Hyperproteinemia during pregnancy is quite serious and could also create complications, such as: Premature delivery. Low birth weight. Miscarriage or still birth. Of course, there have been several instances of women who have had high blood protein during pregnancy, but have gone on to deliver healthy babies. Therefore, you need to work with your doctor and bring your protein levels under control, as soon as possible. The treatment methods may vary, depending upon the underlying cause. References: http: //www.
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