High Cholesterol in Dogs

Hyperlipidemia is a condition where the amount of fats (also called lipids) in the blood are elevated. It is responsible for the deaths of almost 50,000+ Americans each year. It is also the cause of the diet change and lipid-lowering medications of million of adults just to lower their cholesterol into safe levels. However, despite the attention people have given to this condition, it has been overlooked in pets.  This is because it is rare for dogs and cats to develop heart disease related to hyperlipidemia like people. However, hyperlipidemia has been associated with serious and sometimes fatal ailments such as pet obesity, pancreatitis, vision and neurologic problems. Although both dogs and cat can acquire hyperlipidemia, it is more common in dogs.

Causes of Hyperlipidermia

  • Increased absorption of triglycerides/cholesterol - after having a fatty meal.
  • Increased production of triglycerides/cholesterol - nephrotic syndrome
  • Decreased clearance of triglycerides/cholesterol - Under-functioning thyroid gland, over-functioning adrenal gland, diabetes in dogs, inflammation of the pancreas, obstruction of the bile ducts (cholestasis)
  • Pregnancy
  • Genetics - inherited genes


Symptoms of Hyperlipidemia

According to PetMD, symptoms of hyperlipidemia include seizures, abdominal pain, nervous system dysfunctions, patches on the skin, and cutaneous xanthomata, which are yellowish-orange lipid-filled bumps (i.e., bumps filled with a fatty, greasy liquid).

Treatment and Monitoring of Hyperlipidemia

If no underlying disease is identified, a diagnosis of familial (genetic) hyperlipidemia is made and treatment includes a low fat diet, fatty acid supplementation and occasionally medication.

Most dogs need a low fat or ulta low fat diet to lower their cholesterol levels significantly. Ask your veterinarian to help you select a diet as there may be many factors to consider for your dog. Treats should be restricted as well. In addition to providing a low fat diet, if pet obesity is a problem, calorie restriction will promote weight loss and help decrease the production of “bad” cholesterol from excess calories.

Cholesterol should then be checked after three to four weeks of low fat diet. If the levels are still too high then try a more fat restricted diet and make sure that there are no extra fat calories from treats. Your veterinarian can help you obtain a nutrition consultation and create a designer diet for your dog if required.

Adding probiotics to their diet could do wonders too. Probiotics for dogs helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Try adding the OmNutra Pet Essentials Premium Probiotics For Dogs and Cats to your hyperlipidemic dog's diet and see it working like a miracle. It is specially formulated for your pets - reducing and eliminating a variety of pet health issues. including dog diseases! It contains 3 billion CFU per scoop so you don't have to worry about the value you give.

Hyperlipidemia is a common yet ugly disease that could harm your dog's well-being and longevity. Consulting and working with your veterinarian could assist in the early diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Therefore, increasing the quality of life and prevention of serious dog disease that might come after.