Pancreatitis & EPI

The pancreas is a vital organ located in the upper right part of your dog's abdomen, adjacent to the duodenum and beneath the stomach. Positioned near the liver and colon, the pancreas plays a dual role in supporting digestion and hormonal balance.

The Pancreas: Dual Functionality

✔ Exocrine Function: The pancreas releases bicarbonate and digestive enzymes into the duodenum, neutralizing stomach acid and breaking down food for optimal absorption.✔ Endocrine Function: The pancreas produces 10 different hormones, including insulin (which lowers blood sugar and promotes fat storage) and glucagon (which raises blood sugar by stimulating glucose release from fat cells and the liver).

Understanding Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can appear in two forms:

✔ Acute Pancreatitis: Sudden onset, severe, and life-threatening.

✔ Chronic Pancreatitis: Long-term, mild symptoms that can progress silently.

💡 Common causes include high-starch diets, medications, infections, and injuries.

Acute Pancreatitis: A Medical Emergency

Acute pancreatitis causes the pancreas to swell and become congested, leading to severe pain and disrupted hormone production.

🚨 In severe cases, digestive enzymes may leak into the abdomen, causing massive inflammation and cell death—a life-threatening condition.

Recognising the Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis

✔ Abdominal pain or hunching

✔ Loss of appetite

✔ Fever & dehydration

✔ Diarrhoea & bloody stool

✔ Vomiting

✔ Lethargy or restlessness

⚠ Acute pancreatitis can escalate quickly, leading to organ failure, septic shock, or even death. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Chronic Pancreatitis: The Silent Condition

Unlike acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis develops slowly, often going unnoticed.

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis:

✔ Sporadic vomiting

✔ Episodes of colitis

✔ Loss of appetite

💡 Over time, scar tissue replaces healthy pancreatic cells, leading to digestive inefficiencies. Chronic pancreatitis can lead to Type 1 diabetes or pancreatic insufficiency.

Nutritional Considerations for Pancreatitis Recovery

✔ Recovery Diet: A bland, gentle diet supports digestion. See our Recovery from Illness blog for guidance.

✔ Bone Broth: A nutrient-rich, easily digestible option during early recovery.

Long-Term Dietary Management for Pancreatitis

✔ Raw Diet Reintroduction: After recovery, introduce low-fat raw food, gradually increasing fat levels over time.

✔ Canned Food (Short-Term Option): High-quality canned food may help in early recovery, but avoid kibble due to:

❌ High carbohydrate content

❌ Artificial fats & additives

❌ Low moisture

❌ Lack of live nutrients

Essential Supplements for Pancreatitis Support

✔ Prebiotics & Probiotics:

• Adored Beasts Love Bugs

• Four Leaf Rover Soil-Based Probiotics

• Proflax Tummy Tastic

• Dorwest Herbs Tree Barks

✔ Digestive Enzymes:

• Prodog Raw (UK-based supplement)

• Whole-food sources:

  ✅ Papaya ✅ Flaxseed ✅ Kelp ✅ Chicory root ✅ Pumpkin ✅ Raw honey/Bee pollen

  ✅ Raw dairy products ✅ Kefir ✅ Coconut water ✅ Raw pancreas

✔ Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

• Start with Algae Oil (e.g., Aniforte) for a few weeks

• Slowly introduce raw oily fish (sardines) once stabilised

  
  

Identifying Potential Triggers for Pancreatitis

✔ Dietary Indiscretion ("Garbage Gut") – Dogs consuming high-fat table scraps, especially during holidays.

✔ Trauma or Injury – Physical impact affecting the pancreas.

✔ Infections & Autoimmune Diseases – Conditions that trigger inflammation.

✔ Cancer & Hormonal Disorders – Secondary health complications.

✔ Certain Medications & Insecticides – Known triggers for pancreatitis.

⚠ Avoid sudden diet changes and processed foods to prevent flare-ups.

Understanding & Managing Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Dogs

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is a serious condition in dogs that, if left untreated, can lead to starvation and organ failure. Understanding early symptoms, proper treatment, and nutritional support is crucial in managing this condition effectively.

Recognising Symptoms of EPI in Dogs

🐾 Chronic loose stools or diarrhoea (often misdiagnosed as parasites)

🐾 Increased hunger

🐾 Weight loss despite eating normally

🐾 Consuming inappropriate substances (e.g., non-food items)

🐾 Lethargy & decline in interest in activities

📌 Be proactive—request blood tests to confirm or rule out EPI instead of assuming it’s a general gastrointestinal issue.

Managing & Treating EPI in Dogs

Since EPI results from enzyme deficiency, treatment focuses on replacing digestive enzymes and supporting overall gut health.

Pancreatic Enzymes

✔ Vets can prescribe enzyme supplements

.✔ Prodog Raw offers a UK-based digestive enzyme supplement tailored for dogs.

Feeding Raw Pancreas

✔ Raw pancreas (pork, beef, or lamb) serves as a natural alternative to enzyme powders.

✔ Merck Veterinary Manual suggests: 1 to 3 oz of raw pancreas can replace 1 teaspoon of enzyme powder

.⚠ Never cook the pancreas, as heat destroys its enzymes.

Probiotic Support

✔ Balance gut bacteria with probiotic-rich foods (e.g., fermented vegetables).✔ Recommended probiotics:

• Adored Beasts Love Bugs

• Four Leaf Rover Protect

⚠ For Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), opt for soil-based probiotics—conventional probiotics may worsen the condition.

Optimising Nutrition for EPI Dogs

Since each EPI dog has unique dietary tolerances, owners must experiment carefully to find the best food.

✔ Raw diets benefit EPI dogs, as they contain natural live enzymes aiding digestion.

✔ Feed smaller, more frequent meals to reduce digestive strain.

Monitoring Nutrient Absorption

💡 Over 80% of EPI dogs suffer from cobalamin (B12) deficiency—alongside possible deficits in zinc, vitamin E, or vitamin K.

📌 Regular vet check-ups are essential to adjust diet and provide supplements as needed.

Final Thoughts

Managing EPI requires careful attention to dietary intake, enzyme supplementation, and ongoing vet monitoring. With the right approach, you can help restore your dog’s health and prevent complications.

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