Treatment for EPI in Cats
- Pancreatic Enzyme Supplements. Pancreatic enzymes should be added to every meal. Powdered pancreatic enzyme supplements...
- Pancreas Meat. Another source of pancreatic enzymes is … pancreas meat from another animal. Pet parents can purchase the...
- Cobalamin (Vitamin B12). Most cats with EPI need injections of cobalamin (vitamin B12) every few...
What does epi stand for in cats?
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Cats. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) develops when the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes.
What are the treatments for epi?
Otherwise, EPI symptoms need to be treated with diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). “The goal of EPI treatment is to replace the digestive function of the pancreas,” Dr. Gardner says.
What can I give my Cat for epi?
EPI Diagnosis and Treatment. Feeding raw beef or lamb pancreas is another option, but the risks associated with handling and eating raw animal products generally limit their use to specific situations. Many cats with EPI also have a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and require antibiotic therapy and vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation.
What are the symptoms of Epi in dogs and cats?
In dogs, common clinical signs are polyphagia, weight loss, and loose, pale stools. EPI is typically treated with pancreatic enzyme supplementation or raw pancreas. From March 2008 to January 2010, serum samples from 46,529 cats were submitted for measurement of serum fTLI concentration at Texas A&M.
What are the symptoms of EPI in cats?
Dogs and cats with EPI due to other causes are usually middle-aged to older and can be of any breed. Clinical signs most commonly reported are polyphagia, weight loss, and loose stools. Vomiting and anorexia are observed in some patients and may be a sign of concurrent conditions rather than EPI itself.
Can EPI be treated at home?
You can't cure EPI, but pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy can greatly reduce uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for taking PERT, and be sure to take it with every meal or snack. A dietitian can help you get the fats, nutrients and vitamins you need for good health.
How do vets treat EPI?
Is it possible to treat EPI? Highly digestible, low fat diets together with pancreatic enzyme replacement (Viokase®, Pancreazyme®, Pank-Aid) will usually stabilize the condition. Cobalamin (vitamin B12) supplementation may be considered by your veterinarian when hypocobalaminemia is documented.
What triggers EPI?
What causes EPI? EPI occurs when your pancreas stops releasing enough enzymes to support normal digestion. There are a variety of conditions or events can damage your pancreas and lead to EPI. Some of them, such as pancreatitis, cause EPI by directly damaging your pancreatic cells that make digestive enzymes.
What does EPI poop look like?
People with EPI are not able to absorb all the fat that they eat, so undigested fat is excreted, resulting in stools that look oily or greasy. Not all people experience this symptom.
What foods should you avoid with EPI?
Off the EPI Menu: Foods to Avoid In general, try to limit the amount of fat you eat — especially the saturated fats in animal-based foods, such as butter, cream, fatty cuts of red meat, organ meat, and poultry skin.
What should I feed my cat with EPI?
Most cats with EPI can be successfully managed by dietary supplementation with pancreatic enzymes. Dried extracts of porcine pancreas are available (e.g., Viokase® or Pancrezyme®), but raw beef, pork, or game pancreas can also be given instead.
How do you test a cat for EPI?
The best test specifically for EPI in cats is the trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) test. Trypsin is a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas that is normally present at low levels in the bloodstream. In cats with EPI, blood-trypsin levels are significantly lower than normal.
Can EPI go away?
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) may be managed, but it cannot be cured. EPI is treated by a combination of lifestyle changes and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
What happens if EPI goes untreated?
If left untreated, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can lead to feeling malnourished, fatigued and weak. This is due to the poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients. Eventually, it can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) or anemia (a deficiency of red blood cells).
How do you treat EPI naturally?
Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve the symptoms of EPI....Keys to a Pancreatic Insufficiency DietGet plenty of fluids. It's important to stay hydrated throughout the day, Dr. ... Eat small, healthy meals more often. ... Use dietary supplements. ... Avoid a high-fiber diet. ... Stop drinking alcohol (and quit smoking, too).
What are the first signs of pancreatic insufficiency?
Symptoms of pancreatic insufficiencyabdominal pain and tenderness.loss of appetite.feelings of fullness.weight loss and diarrhea.
How to diagnose pancreatic insufficiency in cats?
Diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in your cat will begin with a thorough physical exam by your veterinarian. Given the way the symptoms have commonalities with other diseases, your veterinarian will perform a differential diagnosis. A differential diagnosis is a type of procedure in which a veterinarian rules out conditions with similar symptoms, rather than using symptoms to identify one particular condition. It will be important to provide your vet with a complete list of symptoms as well as their approximate date of onset and whether they have remained stable or have changed over time.
What is the best vitamin for cat pancreatic insufficiency?
Cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency will also need to be supplemented with vitamin B12 since they are unable to absorb appropriate amounts of this important vitamin from their food. Vitamin B12 can be administered on a routine basis with shots given beneath the skin. Top.
Why does my cat have a pancreatic insufficiency?
Some of the most common causes of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency include: Chronic inflammation of the pancreas. Parasitic infections.
Why is it important to reduce fat intake in cats?
It will be particularly important to reduce fat intake, since fat is typically highly dependent on pancreatic enzymes for appropriate absorption. Long-term, cats who suffer from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency suffer no loss of lifespan or quality of life as a result of their condition.
Is EPI common in cats?
EPI is quite uncommon in cats , and very uncommon in kittens. Parasites are much more common in kittens, as is food intolerance. It would be best to have Milie seen by a veterinarian, and examined. They can check a fecal sample, and direct you to the best treatment for her.
Can cats eat enzymes?
Digestive enzymes typically come in powdered form and some cats may be unwilling to eat the supplement. Owners should work with their vets to identify appropriate soft foods to mix with the enzymes. Alternatively, eating raw pancreas has been shown to increase pancreatic enzyme levels.
What is an EPI in cats?
Feline Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a disorder in which the pancreas does not produce an adequate amount of digestive enzymes. This deficiency results in maldigestion (poor digestion) and malabsorption (poor absorption). EPI is rare in cats.
What tests are needed to diagnose EPI?
Diagnostic tests are needed to identify EPI and exclude other diseases. Your veterinarian will take a complete history and perform a thorough physical examination. A thorough knowledge of the history and clinical signs is very important in the diagnosis of EPI. Tests may include:
How to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cats?
Treatment often is administered on an outpatient basis and may include one or more of the following: Dietary modification. Pancreatic enzyme replacement. Concurrent antibiotic therapy.
How to help a cat with diarrhea?
Administer any medications that your veterinarian has prescribed. Feed your cat as directed by your veterinarian. Watch your cat carefully for resolution of symptoms, especially resolution of diarrhea and gain in body weight. Contact your veterinarian if improvement is not observed over the first few weeks.
Can pancreatic acinar atrophy be prevented?
Contact your veterinarian if improvement is not observed over the first few weeks. The cause of pancreatic acinar atrophy is unknown and this cause of EPI cannot be prevented. Diets high in fat can predispose pets to pancreatitis.
What are the common problems cats have with EPI?
The most common concurrent medical problems in cats with EPI were gastrointestinal problems, reported in 20% of cats. Endocrine disorders (including diabetes mellitus), pancreatitis, and hepatic lipidosis were also reported.
What are the symptoms of EPI in cats?
The clinical presentation of many of the cats with EPI was somewhat different from that of dogs with EPI, potentially leading to underdiagnosis in cats, say the authors. Clinical signs and the percentage of cats in whom they were reported were as follows: 1 Weight loss, 91% 2 Unformed feces, 62%; occasional watery diarrhea, 33% 3 Poor hair coat, 50% 4 Increased appetite, 42% 5 Anorexia, 42% 6 Lethargy, 40% 7 Vomiting, 19%
What is the typical presentation in dogs with EPI?
The typical presentation in dogs with EPI is a combination of weight loss, unformed feces, and diarrhea. Slightly fewer than one-third (32%) of the cats with EPI had this combination of signs (56% had a combination of weight loss and unformed feces). “Therefore, EPI should be suspected in cats with unexplained weight loss or anorexia even ...
What is EPI in dogs?
EPI is the inadequate production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas. It can be caused by chronic pancreatitis, masses that obstruct the pancreatic duct, or (in certain dog breeds) pancreatic acinar atrophy. In dogs, common clinical signs are polyphagia, weight loss, and loose, pale stools. EPI is typically treated with pancreatic enzyme ...
How old is a cat with EPI?
The ages of cats with EPI ranged from 3 months to 18.8 years, with a median of 7.7 years. “This finding is important because EPI has been traditionally considered a disease of middle-aged to older cats,” write the authors. “The results of our study suggest that EPI should be considered in cats of any age.”.
Can cats have EPI?
Cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) often have clinical signs different from those of dogs, according to a report published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The authors recommend including EPI in the differential diagnosis of cats with unexplained weight loss, even if they have no diarrhea or other clinical signs.
Can cats take antibiotics?
Antibiotic treatment, given to about half of the cats, did not affect treatment response. Antibiotics could have been given as trial therapy or to treat concurrent gastrointestinal or hepatic disease, say the authors.
What to do if your cat has epilepsy?
If your cat's veterinarian diagnoses your cat with epilepsy, then your cat's veterinarian will be able to prescribe your cat with a medication to reduce or eliminate his seizures. Be prepared to answer the vet's questions and provide information about your cat's seizures including: How your cat looks during a seizure.
How to help a cat with seizures?
2. Allow your cat's veterinarian to run tests. Your cat's veterinarian will need to run blood tests, x-rays, and perform a physical exam of your cat. This will help your cat's veterinarian to rule out other potential causes of the seizures, such as an injury. 3.
What is the best medication for cats with seizures?
Phenobarbital is the most commonly prescribed medication to treat seizures in cats. If your cat has been prescribed phenobarbital , then there are some important things to keep in mind. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain's cortex.
How long does it take for a cat to be sedated after taking phenobarbital?
Note that phenobarbital may cause cats to seem sedated. In the first 4 to 5 days of phenobarbital treatment, the cat may appear to be sedated. However, you cat should become more alert and active once her body adjusts to the new medication.
How long does a syringe last for a cat?
Rectal dosing syringes are available in 5mg tube sizes, which is the correct dose for an average sized cat. This will sedate the cat for 6 to 8 hours, making additional seizures less likely. Administering the suppository is not difficult - it requires the same technique as for taking a cat's temperature. ...
Why do cats take diazepam?
Some cats are more prone to seizure clusters than others.
Does phenobarbital cause weight gain in cats?
5. Realize that phenobarbital may cause your cat to gain weight. Like with dogs, phenobarbital stimulates the cat's thirst and appetite, which may cause her to gain weight. This is unavoidable, but you can do your best to maintain your cat's health by feeding her a healthy diet or a reduced calorie diet.
The Symptoms of EPI in Cats
Without adequate levels of digestive enzymes within the small intestine, a cat cannot break down and absorb nutrients from its food. This explains why EPI is also sometimes called a maldigestion disorder. Cats with EPI may:
EPI Diagnosis and Treatment
A veterinarian may suspect that your cat has EPI based on her medical history and symptoms, but a definitive diagnosis requires confirmatory testing. The trypsin-like immunoreactivity test (TLI) is the most common diagnostic tool used and requires only one sample of blood taken after a 12-18 hour fast.
How to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?
If your pancreas doesn’t function properly, you may need to do the digestive work for it. A healthy diet, the right supplements, and enzyme replacement therapy can all help you treat EPI. By Beth W. Orenstein Medically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD. Last Updated: January 2, 2020.
Do you need vitamin C for EPI?
Whitcomb. But people with EPI who take a successful dose of pancreatic enzymes may not need vitamin supplements, he says.
Does PERT help with EPI?
PERT can help you manage EPI and prevent malabsorption and gastric discomfort. You must work with your doctor to determine how much enzyme replacement you need , though, because everyone is different, according to Pancreatic Cancer Action, a charity based in Hampshire, England, that focuses on early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer . “Start with a moderate dose and adjust as necessary, depending on your symptoms,” Gardner says. “You can be tested after a few months to see how you’re responding.”
Does EPI cause diarrhea?
EPI can also cause gastric discomfort, including diarrhea, and weight loss, according to The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF). The pancreas is located deep in your belly, surrounded by other organs, including the small intestine, liver, and spleen.
How to prevent cats from getting injured?
Since cats are most likely to be injured when roaming outside unattended, the best way to prevent injury is to either keep the cat inside or only let him out in a protected, confined area.
What to do if your cat won't let you?
Sometimes the only thing you can do is wrap your cat in a towel or put him in a carrier and take him straight to your veterinarian. There are, however, a few things you can do if your cat will let you, especially if it may be a while before you can get to your veterinarian.
Can cats be sedated?
Most of the time your cat will require sedation or anesthesia to treat the wounds safely and without causing more pain. Small scrapes and cuts often require nothing more than a thorough cleaning and maybe a little skin glue to hold the edges of the cut together.
Can cats heal cuts?
Cats are just as susceptible to everyday minor injuries as any other animal. Many cuts (lacerations), bruises (contusions), and scrapes (abrasions) are not life threatening and will heal with little treatment. Other wounds can be severe enough to require sutures and more intense emergency care.
Do you have to take your cat to the vet?
You may need to take your cat back to the vet for the changes , especially if he is not cooperative . If the bandages get wet, or you notice an odor, chafing, or an increase in drainage (or the drainage doesn’t subside), take your cat to the vet for evaluation.
