Hyperlipidemia is a condition of increased blood lipid levels, which consist of triglycerides, cholesterol, or both. This condition is also often called hyperlipoproteinemia, which is a condition in which the lipoproteins in the body increase imbalance.
This imbalance can occur due to disruption of lipoprotein metabolism which also disrupts fat transport to and from tissues. Not only humans, one of the pets that have this risk is dogs.
One of the causes of dogs experiencing hyperlipidemia is the wrong dietary habits so that excess fat molecules leave deposits in the skin and eye area which can become more serious, causing the dog to seize and experience nerve palsy. Symptoms of hyperlipidemia in dogs usually include:
- Vomiting
A dog may vomit simply because he’s eaten something too fast or too much. But vomiting is a condition that can also indicate something far more dangerous.
For example, swallowed a toxic substance or suffering from a condition that requires immediate medical attention, such as hyperlipidemia. But you can try to handle it first with home remedies for your vomiting dogs.
- Diarrhea
In dogs, change in diet is a common cause of sudden diarrhea. Stress, or other changes in environment. Toxic food can also cause this condition. So. you have to know what foods that cause diarrhea in dogs you should avoid.
But, diarrhea can also be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder such as allergies, bacterial or viral infections, inflammatory intestinal disease, organ dysfunction, or other systemic illness like hyperlipidemia.
- Anemia
Anemia is a medical term referring to a reduced number of circulating red blood cells, hemoglobin, or both. It’s not a specific disease, but rather the result of some other disease process or condition the one of it is hyperlipidemia
- Seizures
There are many causes of seizures in dogs. Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause this condition, but its exact cause still unknown. Other causes include toxins, brain tumors liver disease, and hyperlipidemia. So if your dog has this condition you should know How To Care About Dog Seizure
- Change in behaviour
One of the causes of behavior problems in dogs that people rarely realize are health problems that are often overlooked. Health problems that can change your dog’s behavior include toothaches, thyroid problems, seizures, digestive problems, hearing or vision problems, cancer to hyperlipidemia.Â
If you think your dog has change in behaviour, you should check out this 10 Dog Behavior Problems You Should Know.
- Pancreatitis
The most common signs of pancreatitis that caused by hyperlipidemia include vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.
During this condition, your dog may take a position with their back end up in the air while their front legs and head are lowered onto the floor. And that is one of 8 Ways of How Dogs Try to Communicate with You.
- Abdominal pain
Hyperlipidemia usually cause this condition, but it can also caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, parasites, medications, or even new foods.
- Nerve paralysis
The most common nerve paralysis experienced by dogs is the facial nerve paralysis that results from serious injuries or trauma, such as car accidents, Dog’s inner ear infections, tumors, and hyperlipidemia. Usually, this facial nerve paralysis attacks one side of the dog’s face.
Other symptoms that require immediate veterinary treatment are:
- Yellow, cholesterol-filled skin lesions
- Visible blood vessels in the retina
- Yellowish plaques near the eyelids
- Stacks of yellow fat or cream on the cornea
Causes of Hyperlipidemia in Dogs
In general, hyperlipidemia is divided into two types. The first is primary hyperlipidemia, where the cause of the condition will be considered genetic and idiopathic and can be attributed to a particular dog breed.
Also, there is secondary hyperlipidemia, which is caused by other, more common conditions, such as complications from liver disease, neurological disease, or pancreatitis.
Primary Hyperlipidemia Can be Caused by:
- Hypertriglyceridemia, or increased triglyceride levels; most commonly seen in Brittany Spaniels and Mini Schnauzers
- Hypercholesterolemia, or increased cholesterol levels; most commonly seen on Rottweiler, Shetland Sheepdogs, Rough-coated Collie, Great Pyrenees, Briard, and Doberman.
- Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia combined. The Beagle is often has this condition
- Excessive intake of fat from food
- Genetic disposition
- The amount of hormones that regulate lipid levels is insufficient
Secondary Causes of Hyperlipidemia Can Include:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cushing’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperadrenocorticism
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Cholestasis
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
- Liver failure
- Lymphoma
- Type 1a glycogen storage disease
- Glucocorticoids
- Chronic Leishmania infection
So if your dog experiences the symptoms of Hyperlipidemia above, immediately contact the vet to get a more appropriate treatment.