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 peri od 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 subse quently encouraged to determine the most cost effective form of manage ment; 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 thre e for unrelated reasons). A range of dietary regimens were being imple mented and in all cases the requirement for a daily enzyme replacer wa s less; in terms of absolute enzyme activity, between six and 58 per c ent of the original requirement was being used at the follow-up. The l ow fat diet proved effective in the initial stabilisation of the dogs and was invaluable in their long term management.