Pancreatic supplements for pancreatitis

RE: Pancreatic supplements for pancreatitis

Andrew Kent — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:11:56 GMT

I believe the previous theory about analgesia and negative feedback is now largely out of fashion, however the reason they are used in people during acute bouts is because acute pancreatitis can temporarily impact exocrine function and therefore supplementing enzymes can aid digestion during that period.

I definitely agree that there are some cases with EPI and normal TLI also - these are typically chronic pancreatitis dogs who have inflammation (which increases TLI) and EPI - so the disease is masked.

Andy

RE: Pancreatic supplements for pancreatitis

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:22:16 GMT

I have a similar case to Rob's, its stool quality is certainly better on pancreatic supplements.

RE: Pancreatic supplements for pancreatitis

Rob Loxley — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 00:46:59 GMT

In humans there is some evidence for pain relieving benefits of enzyme supplementation in chronic pancreatitis, to do with negative feedback on endogenous enzyme production

We have/had a couple of patients on them where TLI measurement would not suggest EPI but they have done very well. One was a dog with intermittent pancreatitis and chronic D+/wt loss who has done well, another was a cat with chronic relapsing pancreatitis, diabetes, IBD and hepatitis but never lab-confirmed low TLI.

So I'd be tempted to trial them in cases where they are not doing well on standard management or have ongoing signs suggestive of EPI despite normal TLI.