Pancreatic Problems
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The Pancreas: The pancreas is one of the most important glands in the endocrine and digestive systems.
It is located next to the stomach and large intestine. The pancreas serves two major functions in the body.
One is to produce insulin and alter hormones that regulate carbohydrate metabolism. The other is to
secrete digestive enzymes which break down dietary proteins, fats and carbohydrates so that they can be
absorbed by the body.
PANCREATITIS: Normally, the pancreas secretes inactive enzymes into the small intestine, where they
are then activated for digestion. Pancreatitis develops when inactive enzymes become active in the
pancreas itself. The result is the pancreas inappropriately begins to digest itself.
Symptoms: Symptoms are wide ranging and varying in severity. The most common symptoms may include
poor appetite, vomiting, depression, dehydration, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever.
Diagnosis: Since pancreatitis mimics other gastrointestinal disorders and renal failure, laboratory tests,
x-rays or ultrasound may be necessary to confirm or rule out pancreatitis as a diagnosis.
Treatment: The cause of pancreatitis is usually unknown, therefore your veterinarian will treat the
symptoms. Treatment usually includes administration of fluids while withholding food to allow the pancreas
to rest. Your veterinarian may want to prescribe antibiotics and may wish to evaluate other medications or
environmental factors to be sure it is not drug or toxin induced.
Follow-Up: Patients should improve within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the severity of the problem.
Pancreatitis can be a one time problem or may be chronic or recurrent. Most patients with uncomplicated
pancreatitis recover after a single episode and do well as long as high-fat foods are avoided.
EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is usually caused by
atrophy of the pancreatic cells. Clinical signs usually appear between the ages of 1-5 years, although they
may occur in older dogs as well. EPI may be present many months before symptoms become apparent. A
genetic predisposition to develop EPI has been reported in German Shepherds and Rough Collies.
Symptoms: Patients with EPI usually excrete large volumes of pale colored stools which may have a foul
smell. Stools may range from soft to severe watery diarrhea. Weight loss is associated with this disease
despite the ravenous appetite that usually occurs. Some dogs may vomit frequently.
Diagnosis: The most reliable test for EPI is assay of serum TLI (trypsin-like immunoreactivity). Stool
analysis is sometimes useful in the diagnosis of EPI.
Treatment: Most EPI patients can be successfully managed by supplementing each meal with pancreatic
enzyme extracts. Additional measures such as antibiotics, dietary modification, vitamins or steroid therapy
may be helpful.
Enzyme replacement is the key to treating EPI. Enzymes must be fed with every meal with two meals per
day being sufficient to promote weight gain. Diarrhea and the ravenous appetite should resolve in a few
days and weight gain of ½ to 1 pound per week should be expected. As soon as improvement is noticed,
the minimum effective dose of enzyme replacement should be established that prevents return of
symptoms.
Enzyme replacement, and a low fiber regular maintenance diet should help your dog or cat regain its
original weight and live many more years, happy and healthy.
It is located next to the stomach and large intestine. The pancreas serves two major functions in the body.
One is to produce insulin and alter hormones that regulate carbohydrate metabolism. The other is to
secrete digestive enzymes which break down dietary proteins, fats and carbohydrates so that they can be
absorbed by the body.
PANCREATITIS: Normally, the pancreas secretes inactive enzymes into the small intestine, where they
are then activated for digestion. Pancreatitis develops when inactive enzymes become active in the
pancreas itself. The result is the pancreas inappropriately begins to digest itself.
Symptoms: Symptoms are wide ranging and varying in severity. The most common symptoms may include
poor appetite, vomiting, depression, dehydration, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever.
Diagnosis: Since pancreatitis mimics other gastrointestinal disorders and renal failure, laboratory tests,
x-rays or ultrasound may be necessary to confirm or rule out pancreatitis as a diagnosis.
Treatment: The cause of pancreatitis is usually unknown, therefore your veterinarian will treat the
symptoms. Treatment usually includes administration of fluids while withholding food to allow the pancreas
to rest. Your veterinarian may want to prescribe antibiotics and may wish to evaluate other medications or
environmental factors to be sure it is not drug or toxin induced.
Follow-Up: Patients should improve within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the severity of the problem.
Pancreatitis can be a one time problem or may be chronic or recurrent. Most patients with uncomplicated
pancreatitis recover after a single episode and do well as long as high-fat foods are avoided.
EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is usually caused by
atrophy of the pancreatic cells. Clinical signs usually appear between the ages of 1-5 years, although they
may occur in older dogs as well. EPI may be present many months before symptoms become apparent. A
genetic predisposition to develop EPI has been reported in German Shepherds and Rough Collies.
Symptoms: Patients with EPI usually excrete large volumes of pale colored stools which may have a foul
smell. Stools may range from soft to severe watery diarrhea. Weight loss is associated with this disease
despite the ravenous appetite that usually occurs. Some dogs may vomit frequently.
Diagnosis: The most reliable test for EPI is assay of serum TLI (trypsin-like immunoreactivity). Stool
analysis is sometimes useful in the diagnosis of EPI.
Treatment: Most EPI patients can be successfully managed by supplementing each meal with pancreatic
enzyme extracts. Additional measures such as antibiotics, dietary modification, vitamins or steroid therapy
may be helpful.
Enzyme replacement is the key to treating EPI. Enzymes must be fed with every meal with two meals per
day being sufficient to promote weight gain. Diarrhea and the ravenous appetite should resolve in a few
days and weight gain of ½ to 1 pound per week should be expected. As soon as improvement is noticed,
the minimum effective dose of enzyme replacement should be established that prevents return of
symptoms.
Enzyme replacement, and a low fiber regular maintenance diet should help your dog or cat regain its
original weight and live many more years, happy and healthy.