Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY

• Syndrome that is characterized by a lack of effective pancreatic exocrine secretion in the small intestine.
• The most common cause of EPI in dogs is pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA). 
• A familiar predisposition exists in German Shepherd dogs, collies and English setters.
• Chronic pancreatitis, repeated episodes of acute or subacute pancreatitis and pancreatic neoplasia are also reported as a cause of canine EPI.
• In cats chronic pancreatitis is the most common cause of EPI.
• Malassimilation of nutrients, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, morphologic and functional changes of small intestine are produced as a result of EPI.