PANCREATIC ENZYME SUPPLEMENTS

Williams, D.A. (1997)

"Once the need for enzyme replacement has been established, be sure to use a 
true pancreatic extract. Preparations containing low activities of fungal lipases 
and other proteases of non-pancreatic origin do not effectively treat patients with 
EPI – the enzyme activity in such preparations is inadequate. Also, use plain 
pancreatic extract in powdered form – tablet preparations are ineffective in some 
canine and feline patients. Avoid enteric coated preparations. These enteric 
coated preparations are expensive and often not effective in dogs and cats, in 
which pancreatic powdered extracts are usually quite palatable.
Initially care should be taken to give enough enzyme to ensure an adequate response. 
Two teaspoonfuls of pancreatic extract are sufficient for a German Shepherd dog , and 
one teaspoonful for a large cat. Simply mix the enzymes into the food (moisten dry food 
so that the enzyme powder adheres to the food and is not left in the bowl). Studies have 
shown that no additional benefit is obtained by pre-incubation of enzymes and food, or 
by addition of bile salts or antacids to the food and enzyme mixture."

Williams, D.A. (1997)

" If commercial products are used, powder is more effective, and encapsulated or 
enteric products should be avoided."

" Preincubation of the food with pancreatic enzymes, supplementation with bile salts, or 
concurrent antacid therapy have been shown not to be necessary in dogs with EPI, and 
even though no studies have been done in cats, there is no reason to believe that cats 
will benefit from these manipulations. When clinical signs have resolved the amount 
of pancreatic enzymes given can be gradually decreased to the lowest dose that prevents 
recurrence of clinical signs. This dose may vary from patient to patient, and may also vary 
between different batches of pancreatic supplement."

Williams, D.A. (1995)

" There is no reason to believe that tablets, capsules, and enteric-coated preparations 
are likely to be more effective than powdered extracts and indeed, as in dogs, they may 
be less effective than powdered extracts. The extract should be mixed with a maintenance 
food immediately prior to feeding, as when treating in dogs."