Final answer:
Osmotic or malabsorption diarrhea is commonly seen in young German Shepherd dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), where the pancreas is unable to produce enough digestive enzymes. The lack of enzymes leads to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients and an osmotic effect that draws water into the intestines, causing diarrhea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diarrhea commonly seen in young German Shepherd dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is Osmotic or malabsorption diarrhea. EPI is a condition where the pancreas is unable to produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients. This results in the presence of undigested food components in the intestines, causing an osmotic effect that draws water into the intestines and leads to diarrhea.
For example: When a German Shepherd with EPI consumes a meal containing fat, the lack of pancreatic enzymes impairs the breakdown of fat molecules. As a result, these undigested fat molecules draw water into the intestines, leading to diarrhea.
Another example: If the same German Shepherd with EPI consumes a meal containing lactose (a sugar found in milk), the lack of pancreatic lactase enzyme impairs the breakdown of lactose. Undigested lactose molecules draw water into the intestines, causing diarrhea.