Canine Pancreatic Enzyme Disease and Treatment
Pancreatic enzyme disease causes dogs to slowly starve to death. Loss of pancreatic enzyme production affects nutrient absorption by decreasing the breakdown of food in the intestines. Dogs with this condition will eat abnormal items, such as plants, dirt, wood and feces.
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Pancreas
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The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen in close proximity to the intestines. It secretes insulin into the blood and digestive enzymes into the small intestine. The digestive enzymes assist in breaking down proteins, carbohydrates and cholesterol.
Disease
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Pancreatic enzyme disease is a decrease in the digestive enzymes called maldigestion disorder. Nutrients cannot be broken down into small enough particles to allow absorption, thus passing out of the gastrointestinal tract undigested.
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Symptoms
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Dogs with this disease show rapid weight loss and lose muscle mass. Loose stools are yellow or gray and an afflicted dog will have poor quality fur. Also, it will be constantly hungry, eating everything it can fit into its stomach.
Diagnosis
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Diagnosis can be made from clinical signs alone, but there are several laboratory tests available for an accurate diagnosis. One test measures digestive enzymes present in the blood. It is the most reliable. Another, measures digestive enzymes in the stool and the third relies on microscopic stool examination.
Treatment
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Enzyme supplementation is successful as a treatment, but expensive and must be used for the remainder of the dog's life. The enzymes, in the form of pills or powder, are given 30 minutes prior to feeding. Fat digestion does not completely return, thus animals with pancreatic enzyme disease need to be fed a low-fat diet.
Incidence
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Pancreatic enzyme disease is inherited or acquired. It can occur in any dog breed, but is more common in German shepherds. Chronic pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, is a frequent cause of this disease in older dogs.
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References
- Photo Credit pet dog image by NorthShoreSurfPhotos from Fotolia.com
