Changes

==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 (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]]. Concurrent diabetes mellitus and pancreatic hypoplasia have also been documented as causes in the dog.

'''Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)''' is a syndrome characterised by insufficient secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine portion of the pancreas. Most commonly EPI occurs 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). Concurrent diabetes mellitus and pancreatic hypoplasia have also been documented as causes in the dog.

 

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==