Assessment of Pancreatic Lipase Activity Using a Quantitative and a Qualitative Assay in Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs is associated with increased serum pancreatic lipase activity, complicating the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). This prospective study evaluated pancreatic lipase activity measured using a quantitative DGGR assay in dogs with CKD while excluding cases with clinical or imaging evidence of AP, and the DGGR results were compared with the qualitative SNAP cPL test. Twenty-five dogs with IRIS stage 1–4 CKD were enrolled. The DGGR results were within the reference range in 52% of dogs and elevated in 48%, whereas the SNAP cPL results were abnormal in 72% of cases. Discordance between tests was common, with several dogs showing abnormal SNAP cPL results despite normal DGGR values, a difference that was statistically significant (p = 0.016). The DGGR results revealed significant differences between normal and abnormal values relative to serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentration, as well as total serum lipase activity, suggesting an influence of impaired renal function on pancreatic lipase. No significant association was observed between CKD stage and either DGGR or SNAP cPL results. These findings indicate that pancreatic lipase activity may be increased in dogs with CKD independently of AP and that SNAP cPL may overestimate pancreatic enzyme elevation in this population. DGGR appears to be more reliable for excluding AP in dogs with CKD, although positive results should be interpreted cautiously in conjunction with clinical and imaging findings.