GI11 - Effect of Low-Fat Diet on Serum Triglyceride and cPLI Concentrations in Dogs with Hypertriglyceridemic Pancreatitis

Abstract: Background - Low-fat diets are commonly recommended for management of pancreatitis in dogs. The efficacy of these diets in dogs with hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis remains unknown.

Objective - Assess effects of low-fat diet on serum triglyceride (TRIG) and cPLI concentrations in dogs with hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis.

Animals - Twenty-two dogs with serum cPLI >400 µg/L and TRIGs >300 mg/dL.

Methods - Double-blinded randomized incomplete cross-over study. After pre-screening (t0), either a low-fat (LFD; 2.27 g fat/100 kcal) or regular intestinal diet (RID; 4.00 g fat/100 kcal) was randomly assigned. After 3 weeks (t1), each dog was rechecked by physical examination and standard gastrointestinal and biochemistry panels. If improvement was observed (i.e., decreased cPLI, TRIG, or both), the same diet was continued for another 3 weeks. Otherwise, dogs were switched to the other diet for 3 weeks. At end of study (t2), another health screen was performed. Matched pairs (Mann-Whitney U-test or t-tests) were used to compare timepoints (t0 vs. t1; t0 vs. t2).

Results – At t0, serum TRIGs, ALP, and ALT were significantly lower in dogs starting on LFD (p < .05). Eleven dogs (5 LFD, 6 RID) received the same diet for 6 weeks. LFD did not significantly decrease serum TRIGs after 3 weeks, but significantly decreased TRIGs after 6 weeks. Diet did not affect serum cPLI at any timepoint.

Conclusions and clinical importance - In dogs with hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis, LFD decreased serum TRIGs after 6 weeks. However, in this cohort of dogs, LFD did not affect serum cPLI concentrations.