Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs

Dr. Lera talks about exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with Milky Way, a six-year-old Maltese Mix.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the inability to produce sufficient pancreatic enzymes to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. This difficulty in digestion leads to poor absorption of nutrients which commonly causes weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite. Affected dogs often have large volumes of pale, fatty feces. This condition is called steatorrhea or fat in the stool.

The causes can be congenital (present from birth), inherited (genetic), or acquired as the result of pancreatic infection, inflammation, or injury. The condition is seen more commonly in Chow Chows, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Rough-Coated Collies, and German Shepherd Dogs. The main cause appears to be a progressive loss of pancreatic cells but chronic pancreatitis can also result in EPI. (source: VCA Hospitals)


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