2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Joseph Cyrus Parambeth 1 , Jan Suchodolski 1 , Joerg Steiner 1 . 1 Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a syndrome characterized by inadequate synthesis and secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes, resulting in maldigestion. Mast cells within the gastrointestinal tract contribute to the pathogenesis of canine chronic enteropathies because of their ability to release inflammatory mediators such as histamine. N-methylhistamine (NMH) is a major metabolite of histamine, and increased fecal concentrations of N-methylhistamine have been reported in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease. As EPI in dogs can be complicated by chronic enteropathies, quantification of fecal NMH may serve as a potential prognostic marker. The aim of this study was to evaluate fecal N-methylhistamine concentrations in dogs with EPI.