Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the specificity of a rapid point-of-care test for the estimation of feline pancreatic lipase (SNAP fPL) in healthy and sick cats without clinical evidence of pancreatitis. A second objective was to evaluate the agreement between SNAP fPL and serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), as measured by Spec fPL. Methods: A total of 150 cats were prospectively enrolled into this study. Of them, 82 cats were healthy while 68 cats had various diseases but no clinical signs (eg, anorexia, depression, vomiting) raising a suspicion of pancreatitis. Results: SNAP fPL was normal in 133/150 cats (specificity 89%) without obvious clinical pancreatitis. SNAP fPL was normal in 74/82 healthy cats (specificity 90%) and in 59/68 cats that were sick but without typical signs of pancreatitis (specificity 87%). The agreement between SNAP fPL and Spec fPL was substantial (k = 0.64) in healthy cats and almost perfect (k = 0.93) in sick cats. The overall agreement between SNAP fPL and Spec fPL was almost perfect (k = 0.81). Conclusions and relevance: The specificity of SNAP fPL in this group of cats was high. There was a substantial and almost perfect agreement between the SNAP fPL and Spec fPL in healthy cats and sick cats without suspected pancreatitis, respectively. In the small percentage of cats with abnormal SNAP fPL and/or Spec fPL results, the possibility of subclinical pancreatitis cannot be excluded.

Case summary: An 18-month-old castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented to the veterinarian for regurgitation after solid food consumption, 3 days after sedation with xylazine for diagnostic evaluation of chronic upper respiratory disease. Treatment with antibiotics, sucralfate and metoclopramide by the referring veterinarian did not lead to any clinical improvement. Oesophagoscopy 3 weeks after initial sedation with xylazine revealed an oesophageal stricture, which, based on history and after excluding other potential causes, was attributed to oesophagitis resulting from gastro-oesophageal reflux during sedation. The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in cats under general anaesthesia is in the range of 12–33%; however, the condition has been less studied in this species compared with dogs. The cat in this report underwent several successful balloon dilatation sessions, which corrected the stricture. The cat remains asymptomatic 1 year later. Relevance and novel information: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of oesophageal stricture formation after a single xylazine administration in cats. This case highlights the importance of considering gastro-oesophageal reflux and subsequent oesophagitis as a potential complication of sedation and anaesthesia in cats, and the need for prompt diagnosis and management to prevent oesophageal strictures.

Objectives: Serial measurement of serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) and trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentrations in cats with chronic enteropathy (CE) has not been previously reported. The aim of the current observational study was to serially evaluate serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations in cats with different forms of CE. Methods: A total of 60 cats with CE were included, diagnosed either with immunosuppressive-responsive enteropathy (IRE; n = 22), food-responsive enteropathy (FRE; n = 7) or low-grade intestinal T-cell lymphoma (LGITL; n = 32, one diagnosed previously as FRE progressed to lymphoma). Serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations were measured in 252 and 245 serum samples, respectively, from 60 cats with CE at initial presentation and during re-examination. Results: Serum fPLI concentrations indicative of pancreatitis were found in 3/60 cats (one with IRE and two with LGITL) at initial presentation and in an additional 8/60 cats (four with IRE and four with LGITL) during treatment (24/252 serum samples). Serum fTLI concentrations indicative of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency were found in 2/60 cats (both with IRE) at initial presentation and during re-examination (n = 3/245). None of the cats with FRE had fPLI concentrations above or fTLI concentrations below the respective reference intervals (RIs). Conclusions and relevance: Serum fPLI concentrations may fluctuate during treatment in a subset of cats with IRE or LGITL and, in some cats, are indicative of pancreatitis. Serum fTLI concentrations may vary within and outside the RI in a relatively small proportion of cats with IRE. The long-term clinical importance of these findings requires further study.

A nine-year-old, 10.5 kg, female-spayed Poodle-mix dog presented with a five-day history of vomiting and regurgitation. Thoracic radiographs revealed an area with increased opacity within the esophageal lumen. A ductal esophageal lesion with intraluminal extension and mild left axillary lymphadenopathy were detected on computed tomography. Esophagoscopy revealed a large vascular, obstructive mass with a smooth surface, in the mid part of the esophagus. Endoscopic biopsies were collected, and histopathologic findings were consistent with an inflammatory polyp. Surgical excision of the mass via sternotomy was performed and the mass was sent for histopathologic evaluation. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed an esophageal plasmacytoma with perivascular amyloid deposition, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. There was no evidence of regrowth until 18 months after surgical removal, when evidence of regrowth was identified. The dog had only one episode of vomiting and regurgitation which was resolved after symptomatic treatment.