Pancreatic
Insufficiency
A serious but
unusual problem, Pancreatic Insufficiency (PI), also
known as maldigestion syndrome, is a devastating, but treatable
disease.
What is It?
Usually seen in dogs under 2 years of age,
PI causes digestion
problems.
In a normal system, there are specific cells
in the
pancreas which secrete digestive enzymes into the small intestine after
each meal. In affected dogs, these cells atrophy or dry up, and do not
produce the necessary enzymes needed for proper digestion. This
prevents nutrients from being absorbed by the body.
What Causes It?
Its roots are believed to be genetic. While
it can be found in all
dogs, large breeds, particularly German Shepherds, are predisposed to
the disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PI include:
- collection of oil in the hair around the
anus (due to
the release of undigested fat)
- diarrhea grey in color with a fowl odor
- greatly increased appetite
- severe and rapid weight loss
How is it Diagnosed?
An experienced vet can normally diagnose PI
by observing the symptoms.
A specific blood test (serum-trypsin) can be performed to confirm the
diagnosis.
Treatment
The best thing to do is supplement frequent
daily feedings (2-4) with
digestive enzymes. A highly digestible, low fat diet is best until the
diarrhea is under control.
Vitamin supplements are also recommended as
vitamin
absorption is reduced in cases of PI.
It may take a while for your dog to regain
the lost
weight. In some cases, the loss is permanent due to changes in the
tissue of the small intestine.
Prevention
While there is no clinically recognized
prevention for PI, digestive
enzymes are extremely beneficial even in seeming healthy dogs. I
supplement my dog's food with enzymes and
probiotics
to
promote "friendly" bacteria in the intestine.
This is a good prevention tactic.
If your dog already has PI, Pancrezyme
supplies
pancreatic enzymes to
pets with a non-functioning pancreas.
The information and
products recommended by german-shepherd-lore.com are not intended to
take the place of expert veterinarian care. Please consult with your
vet and ask about using a natural and alternative approach for the
healthcare and treatment of your pet. Find a holistic vet.
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