Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - contd.
Pancreatic acinar atrophy, or PAA, is the most common cause of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in dogs. This is common in young adult dogs, but it is not recognized in cats. The underlying cause for PAA is unknown. Nutritional imbalances, pancreatic duct obstruction, toxins, interruption of blood flow to the pancreas, viral infection, immune system abnormalities, and defects in pancreatic development or enzyme secretion have all been suggested as possible causes. PAA can occur in dogs of all breeds and ages; however, due to its relatively higher incidence in young German shepherds, there may be a hereditary contribution to its development in dogs of this breed.
End-stage inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, may also result in EPI. When this is the case, diabetes mellitus may also be seen due to damage to the endocrine portion of the pancreas. Pancreatitis is more commonly the cause of EPI in cats and older dogs.
