Disease Ontology ID: DDTO:0000853

Another Name: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Abbreviated Name: EPI

Disease Description: A condition where the pancreas does not produce the proper enzymes for digesting food.

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: EPI may cause digestive problems, malnutrition, and/or improper absorption of nutrients into the body, which can contribute to an overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines. Symptoms may include chronic diarrhea; weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite; frequent or greater volume of stool and gas; and coprophagia, a condition which causes an animal to eat its own stool.

Disease Cause: The most common cause of EPI in dogs is idiopathic pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA). The enzymes responsible for aiding the digestion of starches, fats, and proteins, are produced by cells in the pancreas known as pancreatic acinar cells. PAA develops when these cells fail to function properly, thereby leading to EPI. The second most common cause of EPI in dogs is chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). If chronic pancreatitis is the cause, it is possible your dog has diabetes, which will also need to be treated.

Disease Diagnose: If symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are apparent, a number of pancreatic function tests can be done. A serum sample that measures the amount of the chemical trypsinogen (TLI) released into the blood from the pancreas should reveal problems in the pancreas. A dog with EPI will have reduced amounts of TLI. A number of other tests may be conducted, including urine and stool analyses. Gastrointestinal infections or inflammations may be among the other problems responsible for symptoms similar to those of EPI.

Treat Method: Once EPI has been diagnosed, treatment most commonly consists of supplementing your dog's diet with a pancreatic enzyme replacement. These enzyme supplements come in a powdered form which may be mixed with food. Also, if your dog is undernourished, vitamin supplements may be necessary. Additional treatment depends on the root cause of EPI. Most causes of EPI, such as pancreatic acinar atrophy (see above), are irreversible. This means that life-long therapy and enzyme supplements will be needed.

Breeder Advice: Avoid high-fat and high-fiber diets, which are more difficult for digestion. Weekly monitoring of your dog's progress is necessary after initial treatment. Diarrhea should disappear within one week, and the consistency of stools should normalize soon after. Your dog will also begin to regain lost weight. The dosage of enzyme supplements can be decreased as your dog's health and weight normalizes. Your veterinarian will guide you through this as your dog progresses.

Disease Description Source: Link