IPSID

(rarely been diagnosed in Australia)


Case reports of a chronic intractable diarrhoea in the Basenji have been discussed in the veterinary literature since the early 1960's. It was called by various names such as Basenji Diarrhoea Syndrome, Chronic Intractable Diarrhoea, or Malabsorption Syndrome. In the early 1980's the combination of signs and symptoms was labelled Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease (IPSID).
IPSID is a genetically-mediated severely debilitating diarrhoea disease of the Basenji. Clinical symptoms can be various--you may see:
  • chronic diarrhoea
  • poor appetite
  • aversion to food
  • occasional vomiting
  • weight loss
  • unthriftiness
  • dry coat and skin
  • hair loss etc.
The disease is characterised by variable age of onset, malabsorption, protein losing enteropathy, and abnormal immune function.

Most dogs afflicted with this disorder will experience progressive emaciation associated with chronic diarrhoea, or a cyclically exacerbating course, characterised by episodes of anorexia and/or diarrhoea. Many times it is precipitated by a stressful episode such as boarding, transport, oestrus, pregnancy, major surgery, or even exhibition at dog shows.

An electrophoresis study of the serum ( the liquid portion of the blood) shows a marked increase in the gamma globulins and a corresponding decrease in the albumin. These changes noted in the Protein Electrophoresis Test (P.E.T) have proven to be a useful tool in confirming diagnosis of IPSID in dogs with some of the symptoms.

Current research is aimed at the effects of diet on the development and course of the disease; treatments with antibiotic and vitamin therapies; and attempts to discover the mode of inheritance.





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