Normal Pancreas of the cat

The pancreas is an internal organ that lies by the stomach in a cat.  It has very important hormonal functions, including release of insulin in response to eating.  Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and can interfere with insulin production resulting in diabetes mellitus.  Sometimes when the inflammation stops, the pancreas will function properly again, but it can also permanently lose its function.

Inflammation can reduce the blood flow to the pancreas and damage the pancreatic cells.  When damage takes place, pancreatic enzymes are released and begin breaking down the fat in other adjacent tissues. Possible results are bleeding, shock, endotoxemia (bacterial toxins in the bloodstream), and death.  In humans, pancreatitis can be very painful and it may be in cats, too.

Description

1. Esophagus 2. Stomach 3. Right lobe of the pancreas 4. Left lobe of the pancreas 5. Duodenum (small intestine) 6. Cecum (Apendix) 7. Ileum (small intestine) 8. Yeyunum (small intestine) 9. Transverse colon 10. Descending colon