Mitchell L, Wang S, Lawver J, Cridge H. Serial monitoring of pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, C-reactive protein, abdominal ultrasonography, and clinical severity in dogs with suspected pancreatitis.
J Vet Intern Med 2024;
38:987-994. [PMID:
38363021 PMCID:
PMC10937488 DOI:
10.1111/jvim.17020]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on clinical signs, pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI), and abdominal ultrasonography (AUS). Diagnostic discrepancies exist between test results which might be related to differences in the timeline for resolution of these abnormalities after pancreatic injury.
HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES
To evaluate disease severity, ultrasonographic findings, and serum biomarkers of pancreatitis in dogs over a period of 28-days.
ANIMALS
Sixteen client-owned dogs with a clinical suspicion for acute pancreatitis based on history/physical examination, an abnormal SNAP cPLI, and ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatitis.
METHODS
Prospective observational study. Clinical severity (modified clinical activity index [MCAI]), cPLI, C-reactive protein (CRP), and AUS were evaluated at days 0, 2, 7, and 28. Owner assessed overall health (OH) was noted. Dogs were stratified into baseline cPLI ≥400 μg/L vs <400 μg/L groups for reporting.
RESULTS
The median CRP, MCAI, and OH were 111.9 mg/L, 10, and 4/10 respectively in the cPLI ≥400 μg/L group. The median CRP, MCAI, and OH were 58.0 mg/L, 6, and 6/10 respectively in the cPLI <400 μg/L group. None of these variables were significantly different between groups. Most dogs (4/5) in the cPLI <400 μg/L group had a history of suspected pancreatitis (ie, suspect acute on chronic disease). cPLI and MCAI rapidly decreased in dogs with a baseline cPLI ≥400 μg/L, whereas sonographic evidence of pancreatitis persisted for a longer time period.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatitis in the absence of overt clinical or biochemical abnormalities might represent a resolving injury rather than active disease.
Collapse