Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - Dog
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Diagnosis
History
Dogs usually have a history of small bowel diarrhoea with weight loss whilst maintaining a normal or increased appetite. There may be a history of vomiting, borborygmus, Coprohagia and flatulence with signs of abdominal discomfort.
Clinical signs
Weight loss and muscle wastage are usually seen in assosiation with EPI.Diarrhoea and steatorrhoea are also common. Hair coat is often in a poor condition and animals may be associated with a foul smell due to haircoat soiling with fatty faecal material.
Laboratory Tests
Modest increases in Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a decrease in cholesterol concentration are seen on routine biochemical studies in some dogs. Serum concentrations of cobalamin may be low whilst serum folate concentrations may be high. Low serum concentrations of Vitamin E are also frequently documented in dogs with EPI. 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 are considered diagnostic. This test must be carried out after withdrawing food for several hours.