J Vet Sci.  2024 May;25(3):e48. 10.4142/jvs.24001.

A comparative analysis of canine Internal Medicine pancreatic lipase tests for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs

• Kim JK
• Hwang SY
• Kim SE
• Lee G
• Ji S
• Kim J
• Kim Y

• KMID: 2556483
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.24001

Abstract

Importance
Early diagnosis of canine pancreatitis is challenging due to non-specific clinical signs. Currently, abdominal ultrasonography and measurement of canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) have been employed for the diagnosis of pancreatitis.
Objective
Many qualitative and quantitative commercial cPL tests have been developed and used in veterinary clinics. This study aimed to compare three different methodologies SNAP cPL, Spec cPL, and Vcheck cPL tests to assess the concordance of these assays.
Methods
Fifty serum samples were collected from 36 dogs with or without pancreatitis and subjected to SNAP cPL, Spec cPL, and Vcheck cPL tests. Agreement and correlation coefficients were calculated between the test results, and correlations were determined during the management of the patients.
Results
The results of the three cPL assays were strongly correlated in 47/50 serum samples (94%). Cohen’s kappa analysis between the Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL showed near perfect agreement (κ = 0.960, p < 0.001), SNAP cPL and Vcheck cPL (κ = 0.920, p < 0.001), and Spec cPL and SNAP cPL (κ = 0.880, p < 0.001). The correlation coefficients (r) between data from Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL tests was calculated by Spearman’s correlation test (r = 0.958, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the patterns of change in serum cPL concentrations determined using Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL were significantly consistent during the monitoring period in 11 patients.
Conclusions and Relevance
Our data illustrated that Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL tests are compatible for clinical use in the diagnosis and monitoring of canine pancreatitis.

Keyword

Canine pancreatitis; canine pancreatic lipase; SNAP cPL; Spec cPL; Vcheck cPL