Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in 4 dogs and management with commercial pancreatic extract (Vital)

Abstract

This study summarizes the clinical trial performed during the last one year in diagnosis and therapeutic management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in four dogs. Pancreatic acinar atrophy is by far the most common cause for the maldigestion signs of canine EPI. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) 4 is characterized by inadequate production of pancreatic digestive enzymes by the decreased exocrine pancreatic acinar cells which results in a syndrome of maldigestion/ malabsorption of nutrients (1) Diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction is based on typical findings in clinical histories and clinical signs and is confirmed with pancreatic function tests. The measurement of serum canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity has become the most commonly used pancreatic function test to diagnose canine EPI. Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity measurement is species- and pancreas-specific. When clinical maldigestion signs of EPI appear, enzyme replacement therapy is indicated. In dogs, the highest enzyme activity in the duodenum has been obtained with nonenteric-coated supplements: raw chopped pancreas or powdered enzymes. Aside from dietary enzyme supplements, dietary changes are often made to improve clinical response. The management of EPI is lengthy and includes supplementing with pancreatic enzyme extracts, feeding a highly digestible diet, and giving, an antibiotic treatment to control small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) for longer durations .Medications for treatment of gastrointestinal tract signs are used in such dogs with EPI. The present study elaborates the management of EPI in four dogs by using the commercially available pancreatic extract available in the market for long term remission of the symptoms of EPI and minimizing the decrementation of the body weight.