Role of Feeding in the Treatment of Dogs with Pancreatic Degenerative Atrophy

Abstract

Fourteen dogs with pancreatic degenerative atrophy (PDA) were fed their original diets or a special diet for 2 periods of 4 weeks to compare the severety of clinical signs in relat ion to different types of diet. During the first period , the dogs were given ordinary food, and in the second period , the dogs were given only the special diet that consisted of a commercial moderate-fat, low-fiber, highly-digestible food. In addition, equal amounts of pancreatic enzymes were added into the food during both periods . The owners were given a questionnaire covering 9 typical signs of PDA . They were asked to assess the severity of signs daily for the 2 periods using a scale provided with the questionnaire.The general well-being of the dogs was significantly (p < 0.05) better during the period when the dogs were fed a special diet. Of the individual clinical signs associated with PDA the severity of flatulence. borborygmi , volume of faeces and frequency of defecation were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased on the special diet.There were no significant differences in appetite, drinking. colour and consistenc y of the faeces or in coprophagy between the 2 feeding periods . The costs of the special diet were almost double compared to the ordinary diets.

Effects of diet on clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in dogs

“…5,9,21 Simpson et al 9 reported that during the initial period of enzyme treatment, a low-fat diet is important for achievement of a satisfactory treatment response. Results of an earlier study 12 with low-fat diets in affected dogs, however, did not reveal an association between a decrease in fat intake and alleviation of clinical signs. In the present trial, we studied the response of dogs with EPI to excessive dietary fat.…”

“…Clinical feeding studies have yielded contrasting results on the benefits of special diets as treatment for dogs with EPI. We previously investigated 11,12 the use of 2 special diets, and our findings indicated that a highly digestible low-fiber diet alleviated certain clinical signs of EPI, but that the low-fat diet resulted in no significant changes in clinical signs. Advantages of feeding special diets were minimal in our recent study 10 of long-term treatment of EPI in dogs.…”

“…Because the composition of dogs' original diets was not analyzed, it is possible that the original diets in some dogs did not differ substantially in content from certain special diets. The EPI index has been validated as a reliable means of comparing effects of various feeding regimens, 11,12 with values increasing when enzyme supplementation is decreased in dogs with EPI. 12 Use of the index does, however, pose certain practical difficulties.…”

“…The EPI index has been validated as a reliable means of comparing effects of various feeding regimens, 11,12 with values increasing when enzyme supplementation is decreased in dogs with EPI. 12 Use of the index does, however, pose certain practical difficulties. When owners act as observers, interobserver variation is high because evaluation of some signs is subjective.…”

“…2,7 Dietary modification has also been suggested to play an important role in the management of EPI. 5,7-9 However, results of clinical feeding studies 5,[9][10][11][12] are not always in agreement regarding the benefits of special diets. Some authors 13 have suggested that most dogs with EPI do not require dietary modification but may be fed their regular diet.…”