INVESTIGATIONS INTO HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND ITS POSSIBLE ...

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hepatobiliary disease in both Miniature Schnauzers and dogs of other breeds. 121,123 In
humans, severe hypertriglyceridemia is also a known risk factor for pancreatitis. 254,255,262
Miniature Schnauzers are generally considered to have a high incidence of
pancreatitis. 63,163,165,216 In a recent study, bivariable screening showed that Miniature
Schnauzers were 4.1 times (95% CI, 1.9 to 9.2; P < 0.001) more likely to have
pancreatitis than dogs of other breeds. 163 The basis for this predisposition is unknown,
but hypertriglyceridemia has long been considered as a possible cause of pancreatitis in
the Miniature Schnauzer. 17,83,165 However, studies investigating any association between
these 2 disorders in dogs are lacking, and this consideration is mainly based on clinical
impressions. In vitro studies support the concept that hypertriglyceridemia can initiate
pancreatic inflammation, and there is evidence that high fat diets or even a single fatty
meal can induce pancreatitis in dogs. 144,165,260
In contrast to hypertriglyceridemia,
hypercholesterolemia does not appear to be a risk factor for pancreatitis in humans or
dogs. 33,254,255
Recognition of an association between hypertriglyceridemia and
pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers is clinically important because management of
hypertriglyceridemia with low-fat diets and/or lipid-lowering drugs may prevent or
resolve pancreatitis in these dogs.
Until recently, a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis was problematic in dogs
because no specific and sensitive tests were available. However, the recent development
and analytical validation of an ELISA specific for canine pancreatic lipase, canine
pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI), has facilitated the diagnosis of pancreatitis in
dogs as it has been reported to be sensitive (reported sensitivity ranging from 64% for