Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the dog: breed associations, nutritional considerations, and long-term outcome.
- Journal:
- Topics in companion animal medicine
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- German, Alexander J
- Affiliation:
- Department of Obesity and Endocrinology and School of Veterinary Science · United Kingdom
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition in dogs that affects their ability to properly absorb nutrients from food, leading to health issues. Some dog breeds are more likely to develop EPI than others, so knowing this can help veterinarians make better treatment decisions. While diagnosing EPI is usually straightforward, each dog may respond differently to treatment, which means that careful monitoring and personalized therapy are important for the best results. Factors like the type of enzyme supplement used and whether the dog has low vitamin B12 levels can influence how well the treatment works, especially in the first couple of months. Overall, the success of treatment can vary, so ongoing adjustments may be necessary.
Abstract
Canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is an alimentary tract disorder causing malabsorption and debilitations in affected individuals. This article covers predisposing factors to EPI and response to therapy. Although relatively easy to diagnose, knowledge of breed predispositions (and also of those breeds where the disease is less common) can guide the clinician. Numerous studies have examined therapy for EPI, and a key finding is the variability in response among affected dogs. This implies that close monitoring and individual tailoring of therapy is needed to maximize the chance of success. Important factors affecting outcome are the choice of enzyme preparation, presence of hypocobalaminemia, and the response to the first 2 to 3 months of therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23148849/