Long term management of canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Twenty dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) were managed for an initial four-month period on a low fat diet in conjunction with a non-enteric coated enzyme replacer. At the end of this initial period the clinical signs had been reversed in all the dogs and their body-weights had increased by an average of 24 per cent. Owners were subsequently encouraged to determine the most cost effective form of management; progress was followed up for between five and 39 months. Contact was maintained with 17 of the dogs of which 11 were progressing well (three had been euthanased because of unsatisfactory progress and three for unrelated reasons]. A range of dietary regimens were being implemented and in all cases the requirement for a daily enzyme replacer was less; in terms of absolute enzyme activity, between six and 58 per cent of the original requirement was being used at the follow-up. The low fat diet proved effective in the initial stabilisation of the dogs and was invaluable in their long term management.