very high amylase

[Marlow cat]

Hi....our wonderful Sheldon, a 9 year old male cat, had a very high +2500 u/l reading in his blood test (sept 2021). the rest of his blood works was basically fine. april it was 1700. Sheldon is currently taking prednisolone .25 ml once a day and leukeran once every other week. both for his ibs. he is also on methimazole for his hyperthyroidism. Our wonderful vet has prescribed pank-aid. Sheldon is in good health and happy.

Any information and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Antonio65]

I'm not a vet, but I presume that the long therapy with the prednisolone and methimazole might have taken a toll on his pancreas.
A high amylase could be a signal to a possible pancreatitis.
I would consider correcting the dosage of prednisolone and, if possible both physically for Sheldon and financially for you, following the I-131 path to get rid of the methimazole.

 

[fionasmom]

Pancreatitis in the Cat | Manhattan Cat Specialists

I agree that you need to investigate pancreatitis and also to consider the I-131 if it would be possible for you and if your cat would be a good candidate.

The article might give you some talking points with your vet as there is a whole school of thought with cats that amylase readings in cats are not as significant as they are in dogs. However, that is not to say that you just walk away from the possibility of pancreatitis as it can be very serious once it gets going. There might be other diagnostics that would help you to rule it in or out. Sheldon is not showing clinical signs, which is good of course.

I am not a vet and am unfamiliar with the test mentioned in the article....how expensive, reliable, frequently done?