Pancreatic Insufficiency Diagnosis

German shepherds are at high risk for developing pancreatic insufficiency.

When a dog eats, digestive enzymes are triggered inside the pancreas and sent to the intestines to break down the food. If enough digestive enzymes are not produced then the food passes through the intestines and the nutrients are not absorbed. The condition is called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, also known as maldigestion syndrome.

Pancreatic Insufficiency

A dog that suffers with pancreatic insufficiency does not receive important nutrients such as protein, starch and fats needed to survive. Instead, the nutrients are eliminated through the dog's feces. A dog with this condition can eat all day long and still starve to death. According to Pet Education, before a dog shows symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency, 90 percent of the intestines are already damaged.

Causes

While it is unknown why it happens, some dogs pancreases slowly start to fail and becomes useless. This condition is called pancreatic acinar atrophy. The condition is not congenital, but does have a genetic basis. It can also occur at any age. While any breed can suffer from pancreatic insufficiency, German shepherds make up 70 percent of dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, according to Veterinary Partners.

Symptoms

Pancreatic insufficiency can develop quickly or at a gradual pace. Some symptoms are rapid weight loss and poor hair coat quality. Stools may be light-yellow. Some stools may be watery with no form while others may have the consistency of mashed potatoes. The dog will be constantly hungry and may eat odd things like plants and dirt.

Diagnosis

Most veterinarians can make a diagnosis off the symptoms alone. However, most will verify their assumptions by ordering a test that will accurately diagnose the dog. They may perform a blood test that will measure the level of digestive enzymes in the blood, called a serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) test. A dog that suffers from pancreatic insufficiency will have almost no digestive enzymes in the bloodstream. Stool samples can also be taken and examined for digestive enzymes. This is called a fecal protease test and three samples will need to be taken to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

A veterinarian may prescribe dietary supplements with digestive enzymes. While most of the supplement is digested in the stomach, the little bit that makes it into the intestines is enough to stop diarrhea and allow the dog to gain weight again. According to Veterinary Partners, powdered enzymes work the best as tablets do not break down correctly. The powder should be mixed thoroughly in the dog's food and not sprinkled on top. The powder is very potent and could cause ulcers in the dog's mouth. Also raw beef and lamb pancreas can be fed to the dog to help with enzyme replacement. One concern with this method is possible parasites and bacterial contamination of the meat, which can sicken the dog.

References

• Veterinary Partners: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
• Pet Education: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (Maldigestion Disorder) in Dogs