Changes

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

Routine tests are generally unhelpful. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) can have mild to moderate elevations. Other biochemical results include reductions in total lipid, polyunsaturated fatty acid concentraions and cholesterol.

Routine tests are generally unhelpful. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) can have mild to moderate elevations. Other biochemical results include reductions in total lipid, polyunsaturated fatty acid concentraions and cholesterol.

The most sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of EPI is the '''TLI''' serum assay. The values are greatly reduced as compared to normal animals. Values '''<2µg/l''' in dogs and '''<8µg/l''' in cats are considered diagnostic. This test must be carried out after withdrawing food for several hours. Serum fTLI is only available from specialist laboratories.

The most sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of EPI is the trypsin-like immunoreactivity assay-'''TLI''' serum assay. The values are greatly reduced as compared to normal animals. Values '''<2µg/l''' in dogs and '''<8µg/l''' in cats are considered diagnostic. This test must be carried out after withdrawing food for several hours. Serum fTLI is only available from specialist laboratories.

Other tests are available but are often inconvenient and expensive.

Other tests are available but are often inconvenient and expensive.