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Intestinal lipid malabsorption (ILM)
Summary
Intestinal lipid malabsorption (ILM) is a disorder sometimes found in Australian Kelpies (bench Kelpies) and Koolies. Affected puppies are usually called mini pups. They are smaller than their unaffected litter mates, have dull and rough coats, big bellies, domed heads and round eyes.
For a period during puppyhood, dogs with ILM cannot absorb long-chain fatty acids from their food like normal dogs. The severity of the consequences varies between breeds, and varies between individuals.
ILM requires both parents to pass on a genomic deletion that encompasses the ACSL5 gene. ILM affects both males and females equally. Carriers (dogs with an ILM n genotype) won't have ILM but can pass the genomic deletion on to their offspring.
Gene or region and technical reference
Gene: ACSL5 (causative). Reference: O'Brien et al. (2020)
Reported alleles
n. Test developed using artificial DNA, animal cases.
ILM. Test developed using artificial DNA, animal carriers.
Panels: groups of tests that are often ordered together
This test is in the Australian Kelpie panel.
These two pups are litter mates. The pup on the right is affected by ILM.
