INVESTIGATIONS INTO HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND ITS POSSIBLE ...

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Endocrine disease
Most commonly, canine hyperlipidemia is the result of an endocrine disorder,
such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, or hyperadrenocorticism. 21,31,37,49,51,52
Increases of both serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations have been reported in
dogs with hypothyroidism. 21,53-56 In 1 study, hypertriglyceridemia and
hypercholesterolemia were found in 88% and 78% of dogs with hypothyroidism,
respectively. 53 Usually, lipid abnormalities resolve after treatment of hypothyroidism. 21
In dogs with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia is most commonly associated with
hypertriglyceridemia, but hypercholesterolemia can also occur. 21,31,49,51,54,57
Hypertriglyceridemia usually resolves after successful management of diabetes mellitus,
but hypercholesterolemia might persist despite therapy. 49,58
Finally, both naturally
occurring hyperadrenocorticism and iatrogenic Cushing’s disease have been associated
with hyperlipidemia (hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypercholesterolemia) in
dogs. 31,37,49,51,54,59,60
Hypertriglyceridemia might be present more frequently than
hypercholesterolemia and increases of both types of lipids are usually mild or
moderate. 31,37,51
Pancreatitis
The presence of hyperlipidemia (hypertriglyceridemia and/or
hypercholesterolemia) has long been associated with naturally occurring pancreatitis in
dogs. 21,31,37,49,52,61-66 However, it remains uncertain whether hyperlipidemia develops as a
result of pancreatitis or can be the cause of pancreatitis in some cases. 49,66 In models of