INVESTIGATIONS INTO HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND ITS POSSIBLE ...

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several studies. 15,33,34,37,49,52,66,83,165 However, this association remains obscure in dogs as
the etiology of hypertriglyceridemia cannot always be determined in these studies. The
presence of hypertriglyceridemia in dogs with pancreatitis might be due to a pre-existing
disorder of lipid metabolism, which may or may not be related to the etiology of
pancreatitis, but might also be the result of pancreatitis, or it might just be an incidental
finding in some cases. 252
Although it is widely believed that hypertriglyceridemia can develop as a result
of pancreatitis, this has not been convincingly shown in dogs with naturally occurring
pancreatitis. Furthermore, with the exception of the results of 1 older study, 261
hypertriglyceridemia does not seem to be a consequence of experimental pancreatitis in
dogs. 18-20 In order for hypertriglyceridemia to be considered as a possible etiologic factor
for pancreatitis it should precede the development of pancreatitis.
Miniature Schnauzers have been reported to develop pancreatitis more
commonly than dogs of other breeds, and this high prevalence of pancreatitis in
Miniature Schnauzers has been attributed to the fact that dogs of this breed commonly
develop hypertriglyceridemia. 33,49,66,165
Available clinical and experimental data to
support the above hypotheses are limited, however. In experimental studies, pancreatitis
has been shown to develop in dogs after feeding a high-fat, low-protein diet, and is more
severe when induced in dogs being fed a high-fat diet. 144,146 Also, in vitro studies on an
isolated canine pancreas showed that high triglyceride concentrations can induce
pancreatitis possibly through the release of free fatty acids. 260 Clinical studies have
shown an association between hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis in dogs, although it is not