Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs

The condition EPI is best explained as a lack or absence of vital enzymes in your dog’s digestive system that would usually break down the food eaten into small enough pieces to allow smooth digestion. Without these vital enzymes, the food is not broken down small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal wall. As a result, the undigested food is excreted in the feces and your dog literally starves. Even though your dog may be constantly eating, he is getting no nourishment at all from the food.

Due to the lack of cellular functioning within the pancreas to produce enzymes to break down your dog’s food for absorption, your dog risks starving. This condition is known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

• This condition causes digestive and stomach problems leading to intestinal overgrowth of bacteria 
• Weight loss even though your dog seems to eating plenty or has an increased appetite
• Coprophagia which is a condition which causes your dog to eat its own stool
• Chronic diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Loud rumbling sounds from the stomach
• Frequent bowel movements
• Frequent gas 

Types  

• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in your dog is a result of the pancreas’ failure to produce the digestive enzymes need for proper food digestion 
• For digesting starches and sugars an enzyme called amylase is needed 
• These enzymes are lipases which digest fats 
• Proteases enzyme is needed for proteins
• Without enough of these vital enzymes, your dog will starve as the food will pass through him without the vital nutrients being used as the enzymes break down the food in order for the nutrients to be absorbed

The causes can be traced to several potential elements. 

• Inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis) is one common cause
• At a young age (up to 2 years old) in some cases,the pancreas just stops producing cells and decreases functionality – the reason has not yet been determined as to why
• While no one is really sure of the reason, it has been suggested that it is an inherited condition
• It seems to be more common in large dog breeds such as German Shepherds

Diagnosis is hard to pin point for this condition. Often it takes up to 90% of the pancreas to be destroyed before this condition is diagnosed. If your dog is eating feverishly yet starting to look gaunt, their body and muscle tone is slack, and your dog has very loose, often cow-patty style stools, then those symptoms need to be heeded. Your veterinarian will examine your dog and there are a number of tests that he can do to determine the cause of your dog’s ill health. 

These tests include blood tests, chymotrypsin activity measurement, analysis of the digestive enzymes levels that are present in the feces, and analysis of the feces under a microscope. The most effective test is the blood test which will show the level of enzymes present in the blood and is the best way to diagnose this condition. While the cause of this disease or condition is not really understood, and there is no cure as such for this problem, there are treatment measures that will help to balance your dog’s digestion and return him to good health.

While there is no cure for this condition, there is help available to assist your pet to overcome this debilitating disease. Your veterinarian is your first port of call and he will assist you to treat your dog. Usually the treatment includes supplements of pancreatic enzymes that you can add to your dog’s food. These targeted supplements can be in a powder form or come in capsules or tablets. The enzymes will start to assist your dog to break down the food he eats to get the much-needed nutrients. 

Because of your dog’s condition, your specialist may change the dietary components for your dog. The digestive system has been under a lot of stress, so replacing the high fat diet to an easy to assimilate diet will allow healing to occur. A low fat and low fibre diet will help your dog to digest the food and an antibiotic will control the bacteria that has been thriving in the gut. As the treatment takes effect, you will notice a change in your dog’s behavior as he is now getting the nourishment he needs, and he will lose that almost desperate driven behavior to fill his dietary needs.

Ongoing management of this condition is vital to the health of your dog. A diet that is easy to digest and yet provides sufficient nourishment is essential. Your veterinarian will advise of ongoing treatment, and will need to check your dog’s progress from time to time. Once the treatment is administered and has taken effect, your dog’s behavior will become calmer and quieter. As vital nutrients are finally getting into his system, your dog will lose that gaunt look and his body will fill out and look healthier.

The problems with loose stools and stomach grumbles will cease and your dog’s hair coat will soon recover from dry and brittle to a shiny healthy look. With your dog now getting nourishment, he will stop eating everything in sight. With your veterinarian checking your dog’s progress, and adjusting the supplements, life will return to normal for your canine friend.

Paying to treat EPI out of pocket can be a major financial burden. Fortunately, most pet insurance companies reimburse claims within 3 days, putting 90% of the bill back in your pocket. In the market for pet insurance? Compare leading pet insurance companies to find the right plan for your pet.