High Triglycerides in Dogs
Hypertriglyceridemia is the medical term for high triglyceride levels. It occurs in humans, and it also occurs in dogs. It is found more often in some breeds and is frequently related to another medical disorder. Your vet will test your dog by doing a fasting blood test to determine if his triglycerides are abnormally high. High triglycerides can cause many problems including pancreatitis and liver disease.
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Hyperlipidemia
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Hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia are the two most common types of hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia is the presence of too many fat molecules in the blood. Normally these fats increase after meals but then drop back to normal levels. With hyperlipidemia the fat levels stay high. The fats, called lipids, thicken the blood. Chylomicrons---triglycerides with a protein coating---can make the blood look creamy white.
Primary Hypertriglyceridemia
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Primary hypertriglyceridemia is a condition in which a high triglyceride level is not connected to another disorder. It is thought to be from a genetic predisposition. Although it occurs in many breeds and even mixed-breed dogs, the breeds most commonly affected are miniature schnauzers and beagles, followed by Shetland sheepdogs, briards, rough collies, and poodles.
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Secondary Causes
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Dogs with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, obesity, pancreatitis, Cushing's disease, liver disease and some other disorders may develop hypertriglyceridemia as a secondary condition. A diet that is high in fat and carbohydrates may be the cause. If your dog has any of these disorders, your vet will routinely check for high triglycerides. Because these diseases can cause hypertriglyceridemia, controlling the amount of fat in your dog's diet should be discussed with your vet even if your dog's blood levels are normal.
Drug Induced
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Some drugs may cause your dog to develop high triglycerides. The most common are corticosteroids (steroids), progestogens (hormones), and phenobarbital (seizure medication). If your dog is on these medications your vet may routinely check to make sure triglyceride levels remain normal.
Symptoms
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If your dog has high triglycerides, there may not be any evident symptoms until the levels are very high. Often you won't know your dog has a problem until routine blood screening is done. Symptoms sometimes include vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
Treatment
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With primary hypertriglyceridemia, feeding your dog a diet that is low in fat and carbohydrates and high in fiber can bring the blood levels within normal range. Reducing your dog's weight and exercise may also help. Discuss fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements with your vet as they may help lower the levels. If the hypertriglyceridemia is due to another disorder, that disorder must be treated in order to effectively lower the high triglycerides. There are some medications for high triglycerides, but they are considered the last resource because they may cause cataracts and other side effects in dogs. Control is harder with dogs that may have genetic predisposition. For many dogs, lifelong treatment and dietary changes may be necessary.
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References
Resources
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