INVESTIGATIONS INTO HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND ITS POSSIBLE ...

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the mutant protein lacks this function, thereby leaving the acinar cell more susceptible to
injury, although this has not been convincingly shown in either humans or dogs. Thus,
the exact role of variants of the SPINK1 gene in the development of pancreatitis in
Miniature Schnauzers remains to be determined. It has been hypothesized that mutations
of this gene may not actually cause pancreatitis, but may sensitize the pancreas to injury
through other factors. Based on the fact that some breeds have been found to be
overrepresented in some reports, genetic causes of pancreatitis have also been suspected
in other breeds (e.g., Yorkshire Terriers). 64
Diet
The role of diet, and more specifically the fat content of the diet, in the
development of canine pancreatitis remains largely unclear. Based on anecdotal clinical
observations, foods high in fat increase the risk of pancreatitis. Older experimental
studies have suggested that diets with a very high fat content may induce pancreatitis
and may increase the severity of experimentally induced pancreatitis in dogs. 144,165 The
mechanism by which high-fat diets increase the risk for pancreatitis is not known, but it
is possible that high-fat diets may predispose dogs to pancreatitis through
hypertriglyceridemia as a result of a fatty meal. In a recent retrospective case-control
study of dogs, several factors such as getting into the trash, consuming table scraps, and
ingestion of “unusual” food were found to be associated with increased odds of
pancreatitis. 163 However, no specific foods were identified that could be associated with
an increased risk of pancreatitis.