Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

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J Vet Intern Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;24(2):450-2.
Heritability of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in German Shepherd dogs.

Westermarck E, Saari SA, Wiberg ME.

Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies have revealed that exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is an inherited disease in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs). Pedigree analyses have suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance model.

OBJECTIVE: Test mating of 2 dogs with EPI.

ANIMALS: A sire and dam purebred GSD both with EPI and a litter of 6 puppies.

METHODS: Test mating and long-term follow-up of offspring. The pancreas was biopsied via laparotomy on 26 occasions. Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity was measured. Study was approved by Animal Ethics Committee.

RESULTS: During the 12-year study period only 2 of the 6 offsprings developed pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA). In 1 puppy, end-stage PAA and in the other puppy partial PAA was diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: PAA is not a congenital disease in GSDs. This study provided evidence that PAA is not inherited in a simple autosomal recessive fashion.