Dog cholesterol, much like in people, can be too high or too low. However, the effects it has on the body of a dog differ from those of a human. For example, high dog cholesterol does not normally lead to heart disease. Instead, it leads to problems with the eyes, insulin resistance, and digestive upsets. These symptoms are not always obvious, however. Most cases of high cholesterol are found during a routine blood test.
Cholesterol in dogs is necessary. Not only does it keep your dog’s body working right, but it helps to produce hormones, build cells, and make bile acids. So, all dogs need some cholesterol in their blood. The problem comes when cholesterol levels are too high or too low. Ready to find out what high dog cholesterol is? Read on with us to find out more.
What Is Cholesterol In Dogs
Cholesterol is a type of lipid found in the body. It is a yellowish crystalline solid that helps to build the cell membranes of all animals, except for most bacteria and archaea. Not only this, but cholesterol is necessary for the production of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid. Each animal cell makes cholesterol through a 37-step process, but certain parts of the body produce more cholesterol than others. These areas tend to be the liver, the intestines, the brain, and reproductive organs.
Cholesterol is found in the blood. After your pooch eats their meal, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood rise. They come back down to “normal” levels within three to ten hours after the meal. For dogs with hyperlipidemia, their levels of cholesterol and triglycerides stay high for over 12 hours. This is postprandial hyperlipidemia. To see if your dog has hyperlipidemia, your vet may ask you to fast your dog for 12 hours or more. This is to see if their cholesterol levels stay high for too long after eating a meal. Some vets may ask you to withhold food for a few more hours than this.
Unlike people, dogs have very little “bad” cholesterol in their blood. This means that they have a lower risk of atherosclerosis compared to us. Instead of high cholesterol, about 4 in 5 cases of heart disease in dogs are due to valve deterioration. However, spontaneous atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque in the arteries) in dogs is sometimes caused by hypercholesterolemia in association with hypothyroidism and diabetes. Fortunately, though, spontaneous atherosclerosis is rare in dogs. This means that the main risks of high cholesterol for dogs are secondary health problems rather than heart problems.
High Cholesterol in Dogs
If your vet diagnoses your dog with hyperlipidemia, it means that they have a lot of triglycerides or cholesterol in their blood. Hyperlipidemia can be physiological or pathological, meaning that it can happen due to an underlying disease, or because of your dog’s genetics. But what’s the difference between the two?
Secondary Hyperlipidemia
There are many diseases that can lead to hyperlipidemia in dogs. When hyperlipidemia is the result of another disease, it’s known as “secondary” hyperlipidemia. Among the most common causes are diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, pancreatitis, obesity, protein-losing nephropathy, and hepatic insufficiency. All of these conditions affect how your dog’s cholesterol works in the body. Certain drugs like glucocorticoids can cause hyperlipidemia, too. Other secondary causes of high cholesterol include lymphoma and parvoviral enteritis.
Contrary to popular belief, high-fat diets alone rarely cause hyperlipidemia in dogs. The fat content of the diet must be extremely high, typically above 50%, to cause this disease. However, a fatty diet will lead to obesity and pancreatitis. These two conditions go on to cause high cholesterol. So, make sure to give your dog a healthy diet in suitable portions. Doing so will help to prevent obesity and pancreatitis in the future!
Primary Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia can also be a genetic condition, primary hyperlipidemia. Primary hyperlipidemia is less common than secondary hyperlipidemia. Some breeds are more prone to this condition than others, notably Miniature Schnauzers, Beagles, and Shetland Sheepdogs. Other breeds that might suffer from mild primary hyperlipidemia include Dobermanns, Rottweilers, and Pyrenees Mountain Dogs. However, some of these claims are anecdotal, and more studies on these breeds need to be done. Lastly, because there is no underlying disease that causes it, primary hyperlipidemia is manageable with an ultra low-fat diet or lipid-lowering drugs. And, until we understand the genetics behind the condition, it’s best not to breed dogs with it to prevent its spread.
Possible Effects/Symptoms
In most cases, your dog won’t have any obvious signs of hyperlipidemia. The condition is most often found during a routine bloodwork test on your dog. Symptoms tend to show when your dog’s hyperlipidemia has become severe. Some websites suggest that hyperlipidemia can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, without evidence of pancreatitis. However, there are not many published reports that cover these symptoms, and diagnosing pancreatitis can be very difficult. Other symptoms like itching and hair loss might also occur with hyperlipidemia, but may be secondary to another underlying disease. Because of this, your vet will try to rule out other diseases that might be causing your dog’s symptoms.
Hyperlipidemia can affect the eyes of dogs. Problems like lipaemia retinalis (abnormal look of the retinal veins), lipemic aqueous (causing cloudy eyes), and lipid keratopathy (yellow patch on the cornea) are seen in dogs with this condition. A solid xanthogranuloma was also found in a Miniature Schnauzer with the condition. Another potential problem from hyperlipidemia is insulin resistance. In one study, about 30% of Miniature Schnauzers with primary hyperlipidemia (genetic) had some level of insulin resistance. However, the extent that this affects dogs has not been studied yet. Seizures and other neurological problems might occur due to severe hyperlipidemia, according to two studies from 1992 and 2007. This may be because it can lead to fat clots and deposits in the blood vessels. Luckily, these effects are uncommon in dogs.
Preventing High Dog Cholesterol
Not all cases of hyperlipidemia in dogs are preventable. However, generally speaking, you can keep your pooch healthy by walking them daily, giving them a complete diet, and taking them to the vet for their annual checkup. Be sure to regularly check on your pup’s body condition score and overall health to catch any problems early! If in doubt about your pooch’s health, always go straight to your vet. High dog cholesterol is not always obvious, and many dogs have no symptoms, so regular check-ups are important.
Prevent Underlying Causes
To prevent high dog cholesterol, it pays to know what diseases might cause it in the first place. For example, obesity is a common cause of this problem. Using suitable portion sizes for meals and regular exercise can prevent weight gain in dogs, thus helping to prevent high dog cholesterol. Making sure to exercise your pooch regularly can also help to prevent diabetes. To prevent pancreatitis, avoid feeding your pup high-fat treats and table scraps. Overall, make sure to exercise your pup, give them a healthy diet, and monitor their health every day. Make sure to tell your vet if you think something is wrong!
Prevent Genetic Causes
Some genetic conditions can cause high cholesterol. One such genetic condition is protein-losing nephropathy (PLN). Luckily, this is a disease that genetic testing can find in one breed. This disease affects both males and females equally and is an autosomal trait. The limitation of this test that it is currently only available for Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers. For other genetic causes, such as hepatoportal microvascular dysplasia (liver shunt), dogs with the condition should not breed. Not all genetic conditions have a genetic test available yet.
Genetic Testing
Although primary hyperlipidemia is genetic in dogs, there is no genetic test available for it just yet. However, studies are in the works to identify the gene that causes this disorder. Study proposals appear to focus most on the Miniature Schnauzer, which is most prone to primary hyperlipidemia. These studies aim to create a genetic screening test for the condition so that it can become more preventable. Until then, there is no way to accurately predict how the disease works in terms of genetics. It’s best not to breed dogs with the condition until we know more about it.
Treating High Dog Cholesterol
To manage hyperlipidemia, your vet may advise changing your dog’s diet. This typically involves switching them to a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Your vet may recommend the best therapeutic brand for your dog in this case. However, home-made low-fat diets might also be suitable, as per clinical experience. However, you must take care to balance the diet carefully, especially when it’s a long-term diet. Generally speaking, treats and table scraps should not be given. Your vet may recommend adding Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) to your dog’s diet, too. After feeding your dog a low-fat diet for 2 to 4 weeks, your vet should re-check your dog’s blood. If there is not enough change, dietary therapy continues and medical treatment may begin.
Some dogs with primary hyperlipidemia don’t improve enough with a diet change alone. There are many lipid-lowering drugs for humans, but their effectiveness in dogs is not yet known. Because of this, the drugs given are given with caution, and only when necessary. Gemfibrozil, Bezafibrate, niacin, fibric acids, and statins are just a few of the treatment options for hyperlipidemia. Unfortunately, studies on these drugs are lacking. One study on Gemfibrozilfor dogs suggests that the drug is effective in some cases. However, no diabetic dogs took part in the study. Similarly, a study on Bezafibrate for dogs found that it was effective, but was only a short-term study.
Dog Cholesterol: FAQ
Have any more questions or concerns about dog cholesterol? Our Frequently Asked Questions section should have all the answers you need. If in doubt about your dog’s health, always ask your vet for advice. While the problem is often manageable with a diet change, there is often an underlying cause to treat, first.
The first line of treatment is often to change your dog’s diet. Your vet may recommend a low-fat, high-fiber diet to reduce the amount of cholesterol in their blood. This can also help to control the underlying cause of your dog’s hyperlipidemia in some cases, such as in the case of diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis. It’s best to change your dog’s diet only under the supervision of your vet.
Your vet will ask about your dog’s diet history before making any changes. This is because your dog needs a diet that is lower in fat than their current one. Low-fat treats may also be necessary, such as fruits and vegetables. Your vet will need to monitor your pup’s cholesterol and triglyceride levels after a set amount of time to see if the diet is working or not. If not, the diet may need alteration, or drug therapy may need to begin. It’s important that you don’t try to change your dog’s diet without telling your vet first because of this.
If your dog has low levels of cholesterol in their blood, it’s a condition known as hypocholesterolemia. The symptoms of this condition are not well known. In humans, low cholesterol can lead to retinal degeneration, ataxia, and agitation. Hypocholesterolemia is a useful biochemical abnormality to find because it’s only associated with a small list of health problems in dogs. This condition can occur with protein-losing enteropathy, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hypoadrenocorticism, and liver dysfunction. It may also occur with severe starvation, especially in cases of neglect. In all of these examples, the dog’s low cholesterol is the result of being unable to absorb enough fat, or not producing enough cholesterol. Treating this condition involves treating the underlying cause. For example, dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency benefit from pancreatic enzyme replacements. Where the cause cannot be treated, it should be managed with veterinary supervision.
If your dog’s cholesterol levels are greater than 300 mg/dL, or their triglycerides are greater than 150 mg/dL, your dog has hyperlipidemia. These results are found through a routine blood test. However, it’s worth noting that there is no specific measurement that denotes when a dog has “severe” hyperlipidemia. Different laboratories might have different measurements for the same level of severity. If you have any worries about your pup’s diagnosis, make sure to ask your vet questions for peace of mind.
If your vet suspects that your dog has high cholesterol, they might ask you to fast your dog for 12 hours or more. If your dog’s cholesterol levels are still abnormally high when a blood sample is taken, this would suggest hyperlipidemia. Once your vet can confirm that your pup has hyperlipidemia, they will look for the underlying cause. This might involve additional tests, including a complete blood count, a serum chemistry profile, and a urinalysis. Some vets will also carry out thyroid function testing to look for thyroid problems in your dog.
Some dog breeds are more prone to primary hyperlipidemia (the genetic form) than others. These include Miniature Schnauzers, Beagles, and Shetland Sheepdogs. Other dog breeds might also suffer from a mild form of the condition, such as Dobermanns, Rottweilers, and Pyrenees Mountain Dogs. However, more research must be done on these breeds to accurately say how often these breeds are affected.
Obesity is a common cause of high dog cholesterol. Some dog breeds are more prone to obesity than others. For example, Pugs, Bulldogs, Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds are prone to obesity. With this in mind, you can monitor your dog’s food portions and body condition score to prevent problems with cholesterol. Similarly, certain breeds are more prone to pancreatitis. These include Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and several terrier breeds. This condition predisposes dogs to hyperlipidemia.
The exact cause of pancreatitis is unknown. However, it can occur with high-fat meals and treats. Other causes include obesity, diabetes, severe blunt force trauma, and certain medications. Some dog breeds are also more prone to it than others. Such breeds include Miniature Schnauzers and some toy breeds. Sometimes, pancreatitis occurs spontaneously. This means that it comes on suddenly with no obvious cause. In any case, pancreatitis can cause hyperlipidemia, so it’s best to talk to your vet if you notice signs of it. The signs include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration.
Cholesterol in dogs is important to keep their body going. Not only does cholesterol keep cells stable, but it also helps to produce hormones and vitamin D. However, too much cholesterol can cause some problems for dogs. While it usually doesn’t cause heart disease, high cholesterol can cause eye problems and insulin resistance. This is especially a problem for dogs with other conditions like diabetes. On the flip side, not having enough cholesterol suggests a health problem like protein-losing enteropathy.