Td. Mogg et Je. Palmer, HYPERLIPIDEMIA, HYPERLIPEMIA, AND HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS IN AMERICAN MINIATURE HORSES - 23 CASES (1990-1994), Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 207(5), 1995, pp. 604-607
The medical records of 23 American Miniature Horses with hyperlipidemi
a, hyperlipemia, or hepatic lipidosis were reviewed. The most common c
linical signs were anorexia and lethargy. The mean duration of clinica
l signs was 2.4 days. A primary disease was identified in 19 cases. En
terocolitis was the most common primary disease (n = 10). Intentional
feed restriction, as part of treatment for colic, resulted in hyperlip
emia in 2 horses and hyperlipidemia in 1. Four houses had primary hype
rlipemia, 3 of which had signs of hepatoencephalopathy secondary to he
patic lipidosis. Dextrose, heparin, and insulin were the most common t
reatments. The overall survival was 61% (14/23). All hones with peak s
erum triglyceride concentrations > 1,200 mg/dl died or were euthanatiz
ed, whereas all but 1 with peak serum triglyceride concentrations > 1,
200 mg/dl survived. These findings suggest that when American Miniatur
e Horses, like other ponies and donkeys, are in a negative energy bala
nce, they can rapidly develop hyperlipidemia or hyperlipemia. Early de
tection and treatment may improve survival.