Serial measurement of pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration in dogs with immune-mediated disease treated with prednisolone

Objectives: In this pilot study, serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was measured repeatedly in dogs with various immune-mediated diseases that were treated with immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone. Methods: Ten client-owned dogs with newly diagnosed immune-mediated disease that had normal canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations (200 mu g/l) were treated with 2 to 2.2 mg/kg prednisolone orally once daily as the initial treatment. Serum samples were obtained from each of the dogs prior to treatment and at 1- to 4-week intervals during immunosuppressive treatment. The highest canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration detected during immunosuppressive treatment was defined as the peak canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity. Results: Peak canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were classified as normal in two dogs, questionable (201 to 399 mu g/l) in three dogs, and abnormal (≥400 mu g/l) in five dogs. Peak canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were significantly higher than baseline canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations but there was no evidence of clinical pancreatitis. Clinical Significance: It remains unclear whether the five of 10 dogs with elevated canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity during prednisone treatment had subclinical pancreatitis or whether the abnormal results were a consequence of prednisolone administration