Canine Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

EPI

(Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)

What is EPI?

Exocrine pancriatic insufficiency is where the pancreas does not produce the enzymes needed to absorb nutrience and digest food. It is incurable but can be maintained with medication and dietary changes and there is no reason your dog cannot go on to live a normal life with the correct treatment. The pancreas sits under the stomach and actually has two parts to it that are seemingly mixed together as one, The first part known as the endocrine pancreas which deals with the making of insulin and glucagon which deal with blood sugar. The second part is known as the exocrine pancreas, and it's this part which causes EPI. The exocrine pancreas produces the digestive enzymes which is needed to absorb the nutrience and digest there food, with a dog with epi this does not happen meaning they will starve to death if the problem is not diagnosed or treated.

What causes EPI?

Epi can be either passed down genetically through your dogs blood line or can be due to pancreatic acinar atrophy or chronic pancreatic. Either way it cannot be cured.

Symptoms of epi.

Symptoms of epi can include -

• Diarrhea.

• Steatorrhoea, which is excessive amounts of fat in your dogs faeces.

• Dry and brittle fur.

• Increase in gut sounds.

• Weight loss.

• increase in flatulence and glass

• increase in appetite

• weak lethargic behavior

• dry flanky skin

Can all dogs get EPI?

Any dog can get epi but it is most common in German shepherds and rough collies. showing a rough raceo of 80% German shepherds and 20% rough collies between the two breeds.

What are the effects of EPI?

The most obvious physical effect of epi is weight loss as the body cannot digest and absorbed there food causing diarrhea so fat and nutrient needed to put on weight is not being processed. weight can be gained by dietry changes and medication.

What can I do to reduce the effects of EPI? (medication and dietary)

The primary treatment of EPI is supplementing each meal with pancreatic enzymes.. As dogs with epi should Avoid starch fibre and Fat contents. Fibre should be avoided as it eases digestion. Feeding little and often is the best way to feed your dog. The best of the diets that have been tried and tested is -

Raw pig or beef pancreas liquidated has been the of the most successful diets used on dogs with epi as the enzymes in the pig or beef pancreas does the job there pancreas is not. Pig pancrease is the best though as it is the closest to the dogs as they are both herbivores. To buy in bulk is easyer and cheaper and it can be frozen. It is not necessary to mix it with other foods either. Cooking the pancrease is believed to kill the enzymes so it must be raw. In the evening weigh out the appropriate amount of frozen pancreas for the next day and leave it to thaw overnight. In the morning thoroughly liquidise the thawed pancreas in a blender to about the consistency of a milk shake.

Medication should be added to food as it helps with anything they are lacking, they are addatives to supplement the enzymes missing. one of the forms of treatment can be Lypex contains amylase/lypase/protease supplement. It is better than some of the powder formulas as it is not effected by acid digestion. With the powder formulas to compensate for the destruction the acid does to the powder The quantity of treatment goes up and is given in very high quantities and concentrations. This can have various side effects such as -

• Erosion of the mucus membranes of the oesophagus and mouth.

• Irritation to the skin of the animal and owner.

In all epi is a terrible disease and if you own a dog with epi you will realise it is not cheap, however as a dog owner it is your responsibility to care for you pet. Yes epi is incurable but you are able to maintain the disease and provide your dog with a healthy normal life.