Dr. Kuzi’s latest project, supported by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF), investigates the complex role of fatty acids and gut bacteria in canine pancreatitis — a painful and potentially life-threatening condition common in dogs.

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes begin damaging the pancreas, leading to inflammation, tissue destruction, and sometimes fatal complications. While elevated serum fatty acids (hyperlipidemia) and obesity are known risk factors, not all dogs with high fat levels develop the disease — suggesting that other factors, such as the type of fat and its interaction with the gut microbiome, may be key.

In humans and mice, unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) are linked to more severe pancreatitis, possibly due to their enhanced interaction with pancreatic enzymes and their role in triggering systemic inflammation. Dr. Kuzi’s research seeks to uncover whether similar mechanisms occur in dogs — exploring how fatty acid composition and intestinal microbial balance (the “microbiome” and “metabolome”) influence both the onset and severity of pancreatitis.

Through detailed analyses of blood and fecal samples from canine patients, her team will assess fatty acid profiles, inflammatory markers, and gut microbial changes. This integrative approach could clarify why some dogs with hypertriglyceridemia develop severe pancreatitis while others do not.