[2022/03/07, 17:03:43] Erik Verrynne: How common is pancreatitis in lions in captivity? This adult lioness has not been eating for a week. There is a mild neutrophilia with a left shift, its dehydrated and has elevated amylase and lipase levels. [2022/03/07, 17:41:56] Adrian Tordiffe: Clinical pancreatitis is really not that common in lions. How old is she? And did you run electrolytes? Very unusual to have such a low serum glucose (unless you took a while before separating the serum). [2022/03/07, 17:48:59] Erik Verrynne: Not sure exactly how old, but older than ten. [2022/03/07, 18:41:03] Adrian Tordiffe: Erik, is she a captive lion? Has she had cubs before? You need to rule out pyometra – perform an abdominal ultrasound if possible. I would be surprised if this is a simple pancreatitis. [2022/03/07, 19:08:58] Marius Louw: Hi Erik. Elevated amylase and lipase are very vague sometimes and non-specific for pancreatitis. I agree with abdominal ultrasound or even radiographs to rule out an obstruction of some sort. [2022/03/07, 19:18:32] Erik Verrynne: Yes. She is captive. She had three cubs after which we vasectomised the males. There is no vaginal discharge to suggest an open pyometra. And would you not expect a more severe neutrophilia with a closed pyometra? [2022/03/07, 19:22:12] Adrian Tordiffe: With vasectomised males, she would cycle repeatedly, increasing the risk of a pyometra. Pyometra's are often closed in the big felids and a WCC of 28 would be high enough for a pyometra. I'll bet you a beer that it is a pyometra. [2022/03/07, 19:25:04] Annie Mears: Might not be too helpful but I removed 18 big lions and tigers from captivity recently and every single one of them had elevated lipase or amylase or both. On the first 5 or so, I did a pancreatic lipase snap test and all were negative. All animals were clinically healthy also (and overweight)! [2022/03/07, 19:26:42] Paul Reynolds: Would pyometra not increase glucose concentration? Or not always? [2022/03/07, 19:26:44] Adrian Tordiffe: Agreed, I don't even run amylase and lipase in big cats anymore, but I always run electrolytes though. Can go either way - hyper, hypo or normo. [2022/03/07, 21:08:33] Erik Verrynne: I am willing to give you the beer anyway. We darted her because that was our no 1 DD. The amylase confused it, which you and Marius and Annie have explained for us (the normal ranges for amylase and lipase in lions varies tremendously depending on which source you use). The blood profiles were run the next day, which is why the glucose is low. She was treated with fluids and antibiotics. [2022/03/07, 21:38:26] Paul Reynolds: Are pyometra's more common in captive lions and why? Seems like main DD for any sick lion?
