Managing elevated blood lipids in dogs — a condition linked to pancreatitis and endocrine disease.
Hyperlipidaemia causes welfare impairment primarily through its associated complications. The most significant welfare risk is pancreatitis — elevated circulating triglycerides trigger pancreatic inflammation through incompletely understood mechanisms. Dogs with persistent hyperlipidaemia experience recurrent pancreatitis episodes causing pain, vomiting, and systemic illness.
In severe cases, lipaemia retinalis (lipid deposition in retinal vessels) causes vision disturbance. Lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells) deposit in various tissues causing xanthomas — skin nodules that are clinically minor but indicate severe systemic hyperlipidaemia. Hepatic lipidosis can develop from severe hypertriglyceridaemia.
Dietary fat restriction is the primary management for primary hyperlipidaemia. Miniature Schnauzers with idiopathic hypertriglyceridaemia respond well to ultra-low-fat diets (less than 6% fat dry matter). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (fish oil) reduces triglycerides in many dogs. Addressing secondary causes (treating hypothyroidism, diabetes, or Cushings disease) resolves secondary hyperlipidaemia.