Pancreatic disease

If you notice that your cat is always hungry it may be due to pancreatic problems. The pancreas secretes certain digestive enzymes that help the food digest and if your cat suffers from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), the pancreas is unable to secrete these enzymes.

 “This results in maldigestion of food and signs of increased hunger due to maldigestion,” Dr. Mazepa says. “Other signs of EPI include vomiting, severe diarrhea often with greasy stools, an unkempt haircoat and weight loss.”

“To specifically test for EPI, a blood test called a TLI (trypsin-like immunoreactivity) is needed,” she says. “If the TLI is low, then the diagnosis of EPI is made. Treatment involves supplementing the cat’s food with a powdered digestive enzyme with each meal for life.”