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==Description==  

==Description==  

'''Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)''' is a syndrome characterised by insufficient secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine portion of the pancreas. Most commonly EPI results following the progressive reduction in pancreatic mass caused by pancreatic acinar atrophy or chronic pancreatitis. EPI may also occur secondary to excessive gastric acid secretion (pancreatic enzyme activity affected by excess acid)or severe protein malnutrition ( decreased synthesis of pancreatic enzymes). The Pancreas has a considerable functional reserve and a large proportion needs to be non-functional to show signs of EPI. In the dog EPI is mostly caused by [[Pancreatic Atrophy, Exocrine]] or Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA). In the cat EPI is usually associated with [[Pancreatitis, Chronic Interstitial|chronic pancreatitis]].

'''Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)''' is a syndrome characterised by insufficient secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine portion of the pancreas. Most commonly EPI results following the progressive reduction in pancreatic mass caused by pancreatic acinar atrophy or chronic pancreatitis. EPI may also occur secondary to excessive gastric acid secretion (excess acid affectd the activity and production of the pancreatic enzymes)or severe protein malnutrition ( decreased synthesis of pancreatic enzymes). The Pancreas has a considerable functional reserve and a large proportion needs to be non-functional to show signs of EPI. In the dog EPI is mostly caused by [[Pancreatic Atrophy, Exocrine]] or Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA). In the cat EPI is usually associated with [[Pancreatitis, Chronic Interstitial|chronic pancreatitis]].

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

EPI is most common in the dog and German Shepherd dogs and rough collies are over represented. However many other breeds can be affected by EPI.

EPI is most common in the dog and German Shepherd dogs and rough collies are over-represented. Many other breeds however can also be affected by EPI.

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*Occurs occasionally in other species including calves with [[Pancreatic Hypoplasia|pancreatic hypoplasia]] and in cats ([[Pancreatitis, Chronic Interstitial|chronic pancreatitis]])

Occasionally EPI occurs in other species including calves with [[Pancreatic Hypoplasia|pancreatic hypoplasia]] and in cats ([[Pancreatitis, Chronic Interstitial|chronic pancreatitis]]). In contrast, '''horses''' with very little pancreatic tissue develop '''hypoinsulinism''' but rarely EPI.

*In contrast, '''horses''' with very little pancreatic tissue develop '''hypoinsulinism''' but rarely EPI

For EPI in the dog see [[Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - Dog| here]]

For EPI in the dog see [[Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - Dog| here]]