b'ARTICLE of fat in the intestinal lumen stimulates Studies showTwenty eight to forty pancreatic enzyme secretion. Reduction that overweightper cent of dogs of 50% in the metabolizable energy (ME) from fat relative to the current diet or obese pets dowith diabetes mellitus showis prudent. The extent of dietary fat not live as longevidence of concurrent acutereduction varies between individuals.or chronic pancreatitis. A patient with acute pancreatitis, once as their leanerrecovered, may be able to resume a counterparts. normal diet, however patients with chronic pancreatitis should remain on a low-fat diet. 18 Diabetes mellitusThe canine form of diabetes mellitus is typically insulin-deficient (type 1) diabetes, resulting from the destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Other Schnauzers. Secondary hyperlipidaemiascontributing factors include obesity, are associated with underlying primaryolder pets, metabolic and endocrine diseases including protein-losingdiseases (such as hyperadrenocorticism, nephropathy, endocrine disorders suchhypothyroidism, hypertriglyceridemia, and pancreatitis) and genetic as unregulated diabetes, certain drugspredisposition. 7, 19 The mainstay of and foods.treatment for clinical diabetes mellitus is The therapeutic goal is to reduce theinsulin along with dietary modification. 20level of serum triglyceridaemia toTwenty eight to forty per cent of dogs eliminate clinical signs and maintainwith diabetes mellitus show evidence of serum triglycerides within normalconcurrent acute or chronic pancreatitis. range. 14The mainstay of treatment isGoals of dietary therapy are to optimise a fat restricted (20% ME) nutritionallybody weight with appropriate protein balanced diet, with the addition ofand carbohydrate levels, fat restriction, lipid-reducing drugs, such as statins andand calorie and portion control. 7 fibrates, if there is an inadequate clinical response to dietary modification. 14 ObesitySupplementation with omega-3 fattyStudies show that overweight or acid-rich fish oil has been shown toobese pets do not live as long as their reduce triglyceride and cholesterolleaner counterparts. 21,22Weight loss concentrations in dogs with primarycan be achieved with a balanced, hyperlipidemia. 15Increased solublecalorie-controlled diet. Dietary fat dietary fibre may decrease serumlevels should be reduced to reduce cholesterol and/or triglyceridecalorie content of the diet, and to concentrations when added to a low-fatmanage serum hypercholesterolaemia diet. 16 and hyperlipidaemia if present. Over-restriction of fat should be avoided, Pancreatitis however, to prevent deficiency of Pancreatitis is an acute or chronicessential fatty acids. Obesity is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pancreas.inflammatory disease and animals are Pancreatitis is a common presentationmore prone to osteoarthritis, so it is seen in small animal practice. 17important to incorporate EPA and DHA Precipitating factors in dogs includeto help modulate inflammation. 11dietary indiscretion, ingestion of high-fatChronic enteropathyfoods, obesity, hypertriglyceridaemiaChronic enteropathy is defined as a and administration of corticosteroids.non-specific GI disease characterised Dietary modification and nutritionalby clinical signs lasting three weeks support are essential. The goal of dietaryor longer for which other causes such management of acute and chronicas parasites, bacterial infections, pancreatitis is to provide a diet that doescancer and non-GI diseases have been not contribute to excessive pancreaticexcluded. stimulation and secretion. The presence 30www.inspiredvet.co.uk'