Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas. This disease is found frequently in dogs. EPI is also found in humans aflicted with cystic fibrosis. EPI is caused by a progressive loss of the pancreatic cells that make digestive enzymes. Most commonly, this is caused by pancreatic acinar atrophy. The atrophy in turn can be caused by previous infections, a blocked pancreatic duct, or genetics. Chronic pancreatitis is the most common cause of EPI in humans and cats, but it is an uncommon cause in dogs.^[1] Digestive enzymes are enzymes in the alimentary tract with a purpose of breaking down components of food so that they can be taken up by the organism. ... For the song by Weird Al Yankovic, see Pancreas (song) The pancreas is an organ in the digestive and endocrine system that serves two major functions: exocrine (producing pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes) and endocrine // In humans, the pancreas is a 15-25 cm (6-10 inch) elongated organ in... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog is a mammal in the order Carnivora. ... A duct joining the pancreas to the bile duct to supply pancreatic juice which aid in digestion provided by the exocrine pancreas. ... Genetics (from the Greek genno γεννώ= give birth) is the science of genes, heredity, and the variation of organisms. ... Chronic pancreatitis can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. ... Look up CAT, cat, Cat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Symptoms of EPI

In animals, symptoms of EPI are not present until 85 to 90 percent of the pancreas is unable to secrete its enzymes.^[1] EPI causes malabsorption of food from the intestines. In dogs, symptoms include weight loss, poor hair coat, flatulence, increased appetite, coprophagia, and diarrhea. Feces are often yellow-gray in color with an oily texture. In dogs, EPI is most common in young German Shepherd Dogs, and Rough Collies in Finland.^[2] Malabsorption is the state of impaired absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with fart. ... Coprophagia is the consumption of feces, from the Greek copros (feces) and phagein (eat). ... The German Shepherd Dog or Alsatian (See History), is a breed of dog. ... A Rough Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding in Scotland. ...

Diagnosis and treatment

The most reliable test for EPI is serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI). A low value indicates EPI.

In dogs, the best treatment is to supplement its food with dried pancreatic extracts. There are commercial preparations available, but chopped pork pancreas from the butcher can also be used. Symptoms usually improve within a few days, but lifelong treatment is required in most cases. Because of malabsorption, serum levels of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) and tocopherol (vitamin E) may be low. These may also be supplemented. If there is bacterial overgrowth in the intestine, antibiotics should be used, especially if treatment is not working. In dogs failing to gain weight or continuing to show symptoms, modifying the diet to make it low fiber, low fat, and highly digestible may help. Cyanocobalamin is a vitamin commonly known as vitamin B12 (or B12 for short). ... α-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Tocopherol, or vitamin E, is a fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms that is an important antioxidant. ... Bacterial overgrowth is when theres too much bacteria in a certain place. ...

Human Diseases with EPI

1. Cystic Fibrosis is a hereditary recessive disease of Europeans and Ashkenazi Jews involving the sodium-chloride channels. Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that help to establish and control the small voltage gradient that exists across the plasma membrane of all living cells (see cell potential) by allowing the flow of ions down their electrochemical gradient. ...

Sequelae of EPI

1. Volvulus or mesenteric torsion is a rare sequelae of EPI.^[1] A volvulus is a loop of the bowel whose nose has twisted on itself. ...

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 4th ed., W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-6795-3.
2. ^ Westermarck, Elias; Wiberg, Maria (2003). "Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in dogs". The Veterinary Clinics of North America 33: 1165-1177.