Hyperlipidemiais a common problem in dogs, an infrequent problem in cats.
“Hyper” is a Greek prefix meaning over, above, beyond, to excess. “Lipid” refers to fats. It comes from the Greek word lipos, meaning fat or grease. Lipid was coined in 1923 by a Frenchman. “Emia” is a medical suffix indicating “condition of the blood,” and is derived from the Greek word haima, meaning blood.
In dogs and cats we follow blood lipids in the form of cholesterol and triglycerides. Rarely are canine and feline cholesterol measurements fractionated into LDL and HDL, as in humans.
Cholesterol should not be higher than 324 in dogs and 220 in cats.
Triglycerides should not exceed in 291 dogs and 160 in cats.
Problems usually arise when these levels are exceeded significantly, usually triglycerides over 500, and include pancreatitis, diabetes disregulation, seizures and increased viscosity of the blood, which can lead to microemboli and even clot formation.
Now there is a new tool for helping dogs with hyperlipidemia. Hill’s Pet Nutrition has introduced a new formulation of their Prescription Diet i/d. It is i/d Low Fat GI Restore Canine. Years in the making, i/d Low Fat GI Restore Canine puts the well-respected Hill’s name on a tool we can use to control a really dangerous condition.
Not only is it low in fat to help reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but Hill’s has included Omega 3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation along with lipid levels.
Prebioticsare also in the formula and help significantly with digestion, making utilization of the ingredients even more complete.
Some stubborn cases require the use of medications used to control hypertriglyceridemia in people in addition to the feeding of a low-fat diet.
When we think of “low fat” we are conditioned to think “low taste.” i/d Low Fat GI Restore Canine, though, has palatability so high that it is nearly 100%. And, of course, all Hill’s foods carry the 100% palatability guarantee: If your pet won’t eat it, they will buy it back!
The miniature Schnauzer is the “poster child” for canine hyperlipidemia, but it can occur in any breed, size or age of dog. As mentioned above, diabetics who suffer from excess lipids in the bloodstream will usually find their diabetes poorly controlled unless the lipid profile is in a normal range.
Hill’s original formula i/d is still available, and always will be, as its focus is primarily for dogs (and there is a feline version, too) with sensitive gastrointestinal (GI) tracts.
See you next week, Dr. Randolph.
MMLIPID
