EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY IN SMALL ANIMALS

摘要

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a syndrome that is caused by insufficient synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine portion of the pancreas, leading to insufficient activity of digestive enzymes in the lumen of the smallintestine. Pancreatic acinar atrophy is the most common cause of EPI in the dog, followed by chronic pancreatitis. In contrast, chronic pancreatitis is the most common cause of EPI in cats and humans. Other, less common causes of EPI in dogs and cats arepancreatic or extrapancreatic masses that lead to an obstruction of the pancreatic duct. Congenital pancreatic hypo- or aplasia, as well as deficiencies of individual pancreatic digestive enzymes or of enteropeptidase have not been reported in dogs andcats, but likely do occur sporadically.