Intestinal lipid malabsorption is a hereditary metabolic disorder in the Australian Kelpie in which the absorption and processing of dietary fats are impaired.

Affected dogs do not thrive even as puppies, remain significantly smaller than their littermates, and often have greasy, light-colored stools and a shaggy coat. The cause is a variant in the ACSL5 gene, which plays a key role in the absorption and metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in the small intestine. As people get older, the symptoms may subside. Nevertheless, the animals are generally smaller, and they often continue to have an intolerance to high-fat food.

Genetic testing is particularly important for breeders, as it allows them to reliably identify carrier animals and make targeted breeding decisions.