Horses With Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia affects mules, donkeys and horses. It can often be prevented by feeding animals a normal, rationed, healthy diet. When food is unavailable, portions are drastically reduced or other diseases cause anorexia, hyperlipidemia may occur. The disorder has serious consequences, and the prognosis of horses with advanced hyperlipidemia is grave.

  1. Hyperlipidemia

    • Hyperlipidemia occurs usually during seasons of high energy when rich food sources are unavailable. Miniature horses and ponies are more often afflicted because they have less stored fat available to convert to energy. According to Mary Boyce, author of "Hyperlipidemia in Miniature Horses," "Hyperlipemia is a syndrome characterized by negative energy balance and rapid mobilization of peripheral adipose tissue. Fatty acids infiltrate the liver and triglycerides accumulate in the plasma, resulting in elevated serum triglyceride levels and impaired hepatic function."

    Symptoms

    • As the fatty acids infiltrate the liver and triglycerides build up in the blood, horses can become ill and demonstrate marked changes in behavior. Their movements become awkward, muscles twitch, and fatigue and mood changes become apparent; some horses experience diarrhea and colic along with disinterest in water. Complete loss of appetite is not rare. Weight loss is visibly rapid. The horse will begin to look emaciated very quickly.

    Internal Conditions

    • The conditions the horse exhibits on the outside pale in comparison to the damage hyperlipidemia may have on the horse's vital organs, muscles and skeletal system. In severe cases, the disease causes liver and kidney failure. Muscles become shriveled and weak, no longer able to support the heavy weight of bones and ligaments. Death often results from acute hepatic rupture.

    Treatment

    • Hyperlipidemia does not go away overnight even with the best of care. Correcting the underlying disease that may have caused the syndrome is most important to saving the animal. Nutritional supplements are vital to building back the necessary nutrients lost during periods of anorexia and weight loss. Nutrients will flood the animal's body, replenishing organs, tissue and muscles while providing the much needed energy the animal's system craves. IV fluids are provided to rehydrate the horse and stop symptoms associated with dehydration and deprivation. The vet will closely monitor the animal's renal function, glucose levels, urine output and serum concentration to ensure the animal is absorbing nutrients and fluids.

    Prognosis

    • Typically more than 60 percent of animals diagnosed with hyperlipidemia will not survive. If the syndrome is caused by malnutrition alone, success rates are higher. Horses with underlying medical conditions that contribute to hyperlipidemia will not fare well at all unless the other medical condition can be treated and corrected.