The digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are normally inactive until they are secreted into the small intestine. Once in the intestine, the enzymes become active and aid in the digestion of food. Pancreatitis means the pancreas is inflamed. The inflammation can become severe, and the digestive enzymes that are normally inactive can become active and the enzymes cause damage to the pancreas. This causes a cycle of increasing inflammation.
Acute pancreatitis causes little or no permanent damage to the pancreas.
Acute pancreatitis is rare in cats. Chronic pancreatitis can result in scar tissue forming in the pancreas, which in turn decreases the ability of the pancreas to function properly. Lipase and amylase are two digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas that can be measured in the blood. Elevations in these enzymes can suggest pancreatitis, but are not definitive tests. This is because both lipase and amylase are produced by other body tissues, and because elevated levels may be due to other diseases such as kidney dysfunction.