Feeding Dogs with EPI Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI),
also known as maldigestion syndrome, causes an animal to be
unable to break down the nutrients in food. This in turn causes
the nutrients in the food to pass through the body undigested.
Basically, a cat or dog with EPI is starving to death, even as
it develops a voracious appetite. EPI is due to a defect in the
pancreas which prohibits the organ's ability to produce the
necessary digestive enzymes. The pancreas, though small,
produces and stores the enzymes necessary for breaking down
protein, starch, and fats in the food the animal eats. If the
food is not broken down so that the body can absorb the
nutrients, the animal cannot survive. Your pet will also have
foul-smelling, loose, light-colored stools and become emaciated
quickly. If your pet is diagnosed with EPI, he or she will
require supplementation with digestive enzymes for the rest of
their lives. They may also have special dietary needs from time
to time. Animals diagnosed with EPI need