Pancreatic abscess

Abstract

This chapter presents information on etiology/pathophysiology, signalment/history, clinical features, differential diagnosis, diagnostics and therapeutics of pancreatic abscess in cats and dogs. Pancreatic abscess formation is an uncommon complication of acute (more commonly) or chronic pancreatitis in dogs and much less commonly in cats. Clinical signs are nonspecific and indistinguishable from those of acute pancreatitis in most cases. Anorexia, depression, and vomiting are the most common findings. Pancreatic abscesses are almost always associated with pancreatitis; differential diagnosis based on clinical and clinicopathologic data is the same as for pancreatitis. Clinicopathological findings are nonspecific and do not differ from those of pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasonography is both useful and practical for the detection of pancreatic abscesses; sensitivity is considered to be high. Supportive care is required in almost all cases as indicated for the management of acute pancreatitis. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.