Pancreatitis in Dogs: Pancreas-Specific Lipase

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a small, vital organ on the right side of the abdomen, between the stomach and the small intestine. The pancreas has many functions related to digestion and the regulation of blood sugar levels.

Dogs with severe, sudden-onset pancreatitis are often very ill and show signs of vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and fever. Dogs with less severe forms of pancreatitis may show only mild signs of illness, and some dogs may have low-grade ongoing problems with recurring episodes of illness.

Can routine tests be used to diagnose pancreatitis? 

Routine blood tests such as the complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry profile usually reveal abnormalities that suggest pancreatitis. However, the changes are not unique to the disease and do not give a definitive diagnosis.

In the past, the diagnosis of pancreatitis was based on finding high levels of two enzymes called serum amylase and serum lipase. While high values of these enzymes can be found in dogs with pancreatitis, the tests have not proven reliable and are no longer considered the best tests for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs.

What is pancreas-specific lipase?

Pancreas-specific lipase is a digestive enzyme that is only produced in the pancreas. When the pancreas is inflamed, levels of pancreatic-specific lipase often increase. By comparison, serum lipase, which was once used to diagnose pancreatitis, can come from tissues other than the pancreas, and elevated levels in the blood can occur with conditions other than pancreatitis.

How is pancreas-specific lipase measured?

Pancreas-specific lipase is measured with a test called canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI). The test requires only a simple blood test. In specific cases, your vet may recommend fasting (not eating for 12 hours) before the blood sample is taken.

There are several versions of the cPLI test that can be used in-clinic. The SNAP cPL© from IDEXX is a rapid “pet-side” test that takes only a few minutes and can give a positive or negative result, while newer in-clinic tests such as the Catalyst® pancreatic lipase test give a number value. These results help confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis and provide a starting point or baseline that can be used to monitor the pet’s progress after treatment has been started.

How reliable is the cPLI test?

Studies show that the cPLI test is highly reliable for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs. According to these studies, approximately 85% of dogs with pancreatitis show high values of cPLI. If the cPLI is high, there is a 96% certainty that the patient has pancreatitis, not another disease that causes similar signs. The cPLI is currently considered the best blood test available for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs.

Can cPLI be used to monitor dogs receiving treatment for pancreatitis?

Yes, cPLI may be useful in monitoring response to treatment. Pancreas-specific lipase is cleared from the blood very quickly in healthy pets. A rapidly falling cPLI, together with improvement in the dog's condition and improvement in ultrasound findings, may indicate a good response to treatment.

When should cPLI be used?

The cPLI test should be considered for the following:

• Dogs with signs of sudden onset vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite
• Dogs with recurring episodes of vomiting or poor appetite
• Dogs at increased risk for pancreatitis, such as miniature Schnauzers or dogs receiving potassium bromide anticonvulsant therapy