High cholesterol in dogs - Causes, symptoms and treatment

Cholesterols are essential fats that All animals need to properly develop their body and maintain a balanced metabolism.While cholesterol has gained a certain "bad reputation" thanks to the consequences of its high levels in the bloodstream, it is one of the lipids that the body produces naturally and it is present in practically all cells, participating in digestion, the synthesis of vitamin D and the production of hormones.

The problem arises when blood cholesterol levels are constantly excessive, characterizing a clinical picture called hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia .Although it usually affects humans much more frequently, dogs can also be diagnosed with high cholesterol.

In this Ex article pertoAnimal, we will tell you more about the symptoms, causes and prevention for high cholesterol in dogs .Of course, we highlight that hyperlidemia, as well as any other disease or health problem, can only be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian.Therefore, do not offer natural remedies or homemade solutions, or self-medicate your best friend without the prior guidance of a trained professional.

What does it mean for our dog to have high cholesterol?

The term "high cholesterol" is used to refer popularly to the clinical picture called hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia, which is characterized by the constant presence of excessive cholesterol levels in the bloodstream .

In this sense, it is essential to differentiate a eventual or temporary elevation from a hyperlipidemia picture.When feeding or experiencing complicated situations (stressful, scary, etc.) , it is normal for dogs to show an increase in blood cholesterol.However, these levels should normalize after a few hours of feeding or the negative context.

But if we talk about a case of triglycerides and cholesterol high in dogs, we observe that fat levels in the bloodstream remain high after having performed blood tests in a fasting context from 8 to 12 h.

Causes of high cholesterol in dogs

As with people, high cholesterol in dogs can have different causes, so it is essential to have the experience and knowledge of a veterinarian who, with the help of technology, can evaluate the specific cause of hypercholesterolemia in each patient.

In general, high cholesterol conditions in dogs are usually associated with congenital abnormalities, metabolic problems or an inappropriate diet and a sedentary lifestyle.We summarize the causes and risk factors that may be associated with a picture of hyperlipidemia in dogs:

Pregnancy : Pregnant bitches may be especially vulnerable to developing a picture of hyperlipidemia, so we must pay special attention to the nutrition of a pregnant dog and the appropriate exercises for the period of pregnancy and lactation;
Nephrotic syndrome : it is a degenerative disease qu It affects the kidneys and is characterized by a complex symptomatology that includes hyperlipidemia, proteinuria and interstitial edema.It usually develops from a complication of glomerular kidney disease in dogs (ERG).
Unbalanced food , with an excess of foods high in fat, meat, dairy or industrialized products.
Sedentary or poor physical activity , that is , when the dog does not perform the exercises it demands to maintain optimal health and a balanced behavior.
Problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland (especially canine hypothyroidism).
Diabetes .
Anomalous and excessive activity of the adrenal glands.
Pancreatitis .
Cholestasis : It consists of the total or partial obstruction of the bile ducts that is usually related to liver or liver problems pancreas.
Old age : older dogs tend to show a greater predisposition to accumulate fat in their body and need special care with their diet and physical activity.They can also be more vulnerable to many diseases and certain behavioral problems.Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate care for elderly dogs, as well as effective preventive medicine.

Symptoms of high cholesterol in dogs

High cholesterol in dogs is usually a silent disease, whose first signs are not very specific and difficult to recognize in our best friends.For this reason, many dogs are only diagnosed when their symptoms are already more advanced.It is also essential to make preventive consultations to the veterinarian to make the necessary blood checks and ensure the optimal state of health of our hairy.

Next, we list the symptoms that are usually associated with high cholesterol in dogs:

Bruises or patches on the skin.
Abdominal pain.
Formation of orange or yellowish bumps on your skin, which are filled with fat (known as dermal xanthomas).
Seizures.
Nervous system disorders (which can lead to changes in your behavior usual).

Treatment for high cholesterol in dogs

When observing one of these symptoms in your best friend or any alteration in their appearance or behavior, do not hesitate to go quickly to the veterinary clinic.A trained professional can perform the necessary tests to confirm the diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia , as well as establishing an appropriate treatment according to the needs of your hairy.

Most likely, the veterinarian will recommend a change in the diet and exercise routine of your hairy, with the goal of controlling cholesterol levels and improving their quality of life.In general, adult patients with hyperlipidemia adopt a feed for dogs with high specific cholesterol or a high-fiber diet (which helps metabolize cholesterol molecules), low in fat (maximum 10%), and with high quality protein.

Depending on your dog's health status and cholesterol levels, the veterinarian will assess the need for administr ar specific drugs or natural supplements that help reduce blood fat levels and prevent the development of diseases and complications related to high cholesterol in dogs.

Can Danacol be given? To a dog?

Due to the benefits of this product in humans to lower high cholesterol levels, many people wonder if they can give it to their hairy ones too.The truth is that dogs can eat natural yogurt thanks to the fact that it is an excellent source of probiotics, but when we talk about its liquid version and, in addition, made especially for humans, we do not recommend offering it .So, as we said, it is advisable to go to veterinarian to be the specialist who determines how to lower high cholesterol in the dog.

How to avoid high cholesterol in dogs?

Preventing high cholesterol in dogs is not only possible, but it is essential to offer an excellent quality of life to our best friends.The best preventive measure is to provide a complete and balanced nutrition to our furry, having taking into account their age, size, health status and the specific needs of their body.

For this, the ideal is always to have the guidance of a veterinarian when deciding on the best diet for our dogs.In addition, we should never offer forbidden dog food, as well as greasy, fried or industrialized human meals.

It will also be essential to offer an active life to our dogs, giving them the possibility to exercise regularly with at least 2 or 3 daily walks of 30 to 40 minutes.On the other hand, preventive consultations to the veterinarian every 6 months they will allow us to monitor the health status of our faithful companions, as well as to diagnose any imbalance in their organism early.

This article is purely informative, at ExpertAnimal.com we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the case If you have any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to High cholesterol in dogs-Causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our section of Other health problems.

Comments

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...

Why the lazy bear is so slow

Lazy bears also known as folklore are animals that live in tropical environments.There are currently two genders, the two-toed sloths and the three-toed sloths, however it is known that there were more than 50 genres that are now extinct. Although they have visual similarities with primates, They don't share any ties with these.Instead, they are related to anteaters and farther away with armadillos.They owe their name to the way and speed in which they move. Read on to discover why the lazy bear is so slow : Why are lazy bears so slow? The main reason why these animals are so slow is to be able to go unnoticed .This avoids their natural predators, such as eagles and jaguars that would otherwise easily find them If they were only a little slow they were easy to detect and hunt prey, however, because of their extreme slowness they are almost impossible to detect. Lasaguilas for example hunt and wreak havoc on monkey populations, which It does not happen with lazy bears.Th...

Feeding a pregnant cat

When we welcome a companion animal in our home we must know that one of our main responsibilities as owners it is to offer our pet an adequate diet that allows it to enjoy a good quality of life. However, the diet is not static but must adapt to the different vital stages through which our pet goes through , since in each of these specific nutritional requirements occur. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we talk about the feeding of a pregnant cat. The weight of the cat during pregnancy To address this issue we start from the ideal situation, which is a reproduction desired by the owners in which they ensure an adequate home and attention to the puppies. It is very important that the responsibility acquires a great sense when it comes to the reproduction of our pets, since the figures of animal abandonment are critical and an unexpected reproduction can contribute to aggravate them. In this case we must also worry about the body weight of the cat before pregna...

How many times do you have to walk a dog?

There are many people who have doubts about how many Sometimes a dog must go for a walk and it is that there is no exact number of walks that can be considered the ideal, as well as a certain time.Each dog is different and has specific needs, for that reason, in this Animals and Pets Online article we will talk about the needs of walking in dogs, according to their age and characteristics. Do not forget that the walk is a very important routine for the dog, since It depends on her well-being and part of her daily socialization.Find out below how many times you have to walk a dog a day ! How many times should a puppy walk? After three months most puppies have already started on the vaccination schedule and, at that time, they are ready to start their first walks .This routine It is essential if we have a puppy dog, since we must teach him to urinate in the street, allow him to socialize with other dogs or people and make sure he enjoys this activity, as he will do it throug...

Why does my cat bite me?

We who have had cats know their complexity in terms of behavior, sometimes we can find a loving cat, in others an independent cat and even cats that bite! Not all the causes of the bites are the same, for this reason in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will review why my cat bites me analyzing different situations in order to help you find a solution or an answer to your question. Keep reading and discover once and for all Why my cat bites me? together with different causes and solutions. Discover the character of your cat Each cat has a concrete and unique personality, for this reason, not all cats will appreciate the same gestures or respond equally to a social communication either with us or with other people.You must strive to understand what he likes and what not, how you should touch him and what are his favorite areas of the body. Bites before a social interaction While we find cats that love endless caresses in the ears or on the back others will dete...

Rabies in rabbits - Symptoms and treatment

There are fearsome diseases that, even today, with all the scientific advances with those we have continue to cause fear just by mentioning their name.Among these diseases that scare is rabies and, although it is a condition that everyone knows, there are still doubts about its transmission, forms of infection or treatment.This article by Animals and Pets Online is aimed at explaining what rabies consists of, specifically in rabbits, since this disease is usually referred to, especially dogs, with which the caretakers of these small animals continue to raise doubts.Therefore, if you live with rabbits, you have to keep reading to discover the symptoms of rabies in rabbits and what is the treatment. What is rage and how is it spread? Rabies is a viral disease that can affect the central nervous system of any warm-blooded animal.It is especially described in dogs, humans, bovines, bats, equines or cats and It can also affect foxes, raccoons, rabbits or mice.Once the virus enters ...

How to know if my rabbit is male or female?

Rabbits are adorable and very intelligent animals , which is why they are increasingly popular as companion animals.Likewise, their tender appearance and small size make them good companions for apartments. When you recently adopt a rabbit, or when a litter of rabbits has been born, you may not know the sex of each one, so we will help you discover it.If you want to discover how to know if your rabbit is male or female , keep reading this article from Animal Expert. When can you see the sex of your rabbit? It is important to note that in newborn rabbits knowing sex is almost impossible , especially if you have no experience in it.However, if you have a partner or a litter it is very important to know if they are female or male, whether you want to give them up for adoption or to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, as rabbits reproduce quickly and at an early age. From the eighth week will be a good time to examine your rabbits for indicators of their sex.Rabbits are extremely ner...

How to teach my dog to run with me

Why get fit with your dog? Currently, due to lack of time, overwork or other excuses that are usually valid, we don't have enough time to exercise all days.If this happens with us, what do you think happens with your dog? The same or worse, since sometimes they depend on us to go out to exercise.It may also happen that food is not the most suitable, then we dangerously approach obesity .We should avoid a sedentary lifestyle In our dog, it is essential for your health. If your dog seems to have gained weight, ask yourself...Does he exercise? How many times does he go out every day? What does he eat? We must answer all these questions and begin to rethink how we care for our dogs and what we do to improve their quality of life . The age of the dog, a very important factor Assessing the age of a dog when it comes to exercise is essential.It is recommended to wait from 9 to 12 months to start running with it.Until now, we can buy what is necessary and to teach him signs ab...

Ivermectin for cats - Dosage and uses

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the ivermectin for cats , a drug that has been employed for decades.Registered for use in cattle, there are currently other more specific, effective and safe products that have studies in cats and, therefore, are more recommended., we will explain in which cases ivermectin is used and what are the precautions that we must take into account, since, like any medicine, it can have adverse effects. What is ivermectin for cats? The ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone that has been used since the 1980s in cows, sheep, goats or horses.Its activity antiparasitic has extended its I use companion animals such as dogs and cats.Ivermectin works by paralyzing and, consequently, killing parasites.It is marketed in various formats so that in the market we can find ivermectin in paste, pipette or for oral administration or Injectable, not registered for use in companion animals. Administration on the skin can cause alopecia and...

Giant Schnauzer dog: features

Because of his relationship with the schnauzer and his past as a shepherd dog, the giant schnauzer are large, robust and strong dogs, which serve both for surveillance and protection, as well as grazing, although in the latter aspect they are less and less used.Being so large, they need a good doses of daily exercise, so they are not recommended for people who do not have time to take long walks or play with them, but not because of their size they are independent dogs, but they are a very intelligent, active and loyal , who with a correct training and exercise, are able to develop many skills. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we show you all the necessary information if you are thinking of adopting a giant schnauzer . Origin of the giant schnauzer This breed originated in Germany, from its cousin the schnauzer .The German cattlemen were so impressed with the qualities of the schnauzer that they decided to create a new breed that had the same qualities, but that i...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog