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Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in a cat
I van der Gaag1, T S van den Ingh, C B Lamers
1Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The Veterinary Quarterly
|July 1, 1988
Summary
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, a rare condition, was diagnosed in a European Shorthair cat. The endocrine tumor produced gastrin, leading to severe duodenal ulcers and gastrointestinal issues.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) is characterized by excessive gastrin secretion, typically from a neuroendocrine tumor.
- While common in humans, ZES is exceptionally rare in felines, making this case study significant for veterinary literature.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old castrated male European Shorthair cat presented with vomiting, weight loss, listlessness, and alternating diarrhea and obstipation.
- Physical examination revealed an abdominal mass, and diagnostic imaging suggested a tumor near the pancreatic duct with liver metastasis.
Findings:
- Necropsy confirmed a pancreatic endocrine tumor with hepatic metastasis and multiple duodenal ulcers.
- Immunohistochemistry identified tumor cells positive for gastrin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), confirming a diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare endocrine disorders in feline gastrointestinal disease.
- The findings contribute to the limited veterinary knowledge of ZES in cats, aiding future diagnosis and management.
- Further research into feline neuroendocrine tumors and their hormonal impact is warranted.