Exocrine
Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Dogs
In order to fully understand the nature of the condition known as
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), (also known as Maldigestion)
it is necessary to first learn what role the pancreas plays as as
vital organ in our bodies. Understanding EPI will also be more clear
if the meanings of enzymes, atrophy and autoimmune are first
learned.
What is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a glandular organ located under to the stomach and
next to the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). The
pancreas is responsible for two major functions crucial to the
digestion of the food we eat. The first function is performed by the
endocrine pancreas. The endocrine pancreas secretes the hormones
insulin and glucogon which are constantly regulating the levels of
sugar in the bloodstream. The exocrine pancreas produces and
excretes enzymes used for digestion. Enzymes are proteins that help
break down the food we eat so it can then be absorbed by our
intestines. For example, lactose is the sugar found in milk. Lactase
is the enzyme needed to break lactose into two simpler sugars (galactose
and glucose) that can now be absorbed into our body and utilized.
People with low levels of lactase are called, “lactose intolerant”,
a term familiar to most people due to all the television commercials
pushing lactose-free milk and dairy products.
What happens during Canine EPI?
When a dog suffers from the condition Exocrine Pancreatic
Insufficiency, its pancreas fails to excrete enough of the digestive
enzymes needed for proper digestion of food. Some of the enzymes
are: lipases, to digest fats, amylase to digest starch/sugars and
proteases to digest proteins. Even though the dog is eating enough
food, and in many cases much more than enough, it is literally
starving. Without enzymes to breakdown the food eaten, nutrients
cannot be absorbed. If they can’t be absorbed, they can’t be
utilized by the body. Owners are feeding there dog plenty of food so
they can’t imagine why the dog is severely malnourished and wasting
away. About 70% of the dogs known to have EPI are German Shepherd
Dogs. About 20% are Rough Collies.
Symptoms of EPI
Noticeable weight-loss - but most often without loss of appetite
Increase in appetite
Loud, rumbling sounds in the abdomen
Increased gas or flatulence
Diarrhea
Grey-colored, very smelly, oily-looking stools, due to the high
amount of fats in the waste.
Dry, flaky skin
Dry-looking coat
Weak, lethargic behavior
Causes of EPI
The most common cause of EPI is pancreatic atrophy. Atrophy is the
wasting, or a decrease in size of an organ or tissue. Pancreatic
atrophy is when this wasting away happens to the pancreas. It is
thought to be an inherited condition, but is not present at birth,
or congenital. It usually appears in young adult dogs, ages 4-5.
Since pancreatic atrophy is thought to be genetic, it is the
responsibility of the breeder to not breed a dog known to have it.
EPI is only one problem that occurs with a shrinking pancreas, and
there is no cure, only lifelong treatments and expenses.
Another cause of EPI can be from recurring bouts of pancreatitis, or
inflammation of the pancreas. Each time the dogs gets pancreatitis,
small portions of the pancreas can become permanently damaged from
scarring or necrosis (tissue death). The more damage done, the
greater the risk of EPI occurring.
Treatment
There is no cure for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, but there
are treatments. The first thing an owner must do when suspecting EPI,
is to take the dog to the vet. The treatment will be to include
pancreatic enzyme supplements added to the food, usually in the form
of a powder, but it comes in capsules and tablets too.
It is also sometimes recommended to keep the dog on a low fat, low
fiber diet to aid in easier digestion, so owners most likely will
need to change their pet’s food.
An antibiotic may also be prescribed since lack of enzymes in the
digestive tract, causes an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut. One or
all of the above may be advised.
Written by Laurie Maguire
© Dog Breed Info Center® All Rights Reserved
