Hyperlipemia in 9 miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

The study looks at cases of 9 miniature horses and donkeys that suffered from hyperlipemia, mainly as a secondary complication from other diseases, and the treatment methods employed to resolve their condition.

Research Methodology and Findings

• The study involved a retrospective evaluation of the medical records from nine miniature horses and donkeys, all of whom were diagnosed with hyperlipemia, defined as having serum triglyceride concentration of more than 500 mg/dL. Five of these cases were miniature horses, while the remaining four were miniature donkeys.
• Upon examining the records, the researchers discovered that hyperlipemia was not an isolated condition in these animals, but rather a complication arising from other underlying health issues. These primary diseases included septicemia (a serious bloodstream infection), colitis (inflammation of the colon), parasitism (infection by parasites), esophageal obstruction, gastric impaction and rupture, fecalith (hardened stool that becomes stuck in the intestines), and pituitary adenoma (a type of tumor).

Treatment and Outcome

• Upon diagnosis, the animals were given specific treatment for their primary disease, in addition to supportive care and nutritional support. For subjects that required nutritional support, the hyperlipemia was typically resolved in an average period of 7 days; the nutritional support for those who survived was, on average, required for 11.7 days.
• Out of the nine subjects, seven survived, indicating a successful recovery rate. Unfortunately, the primary diseases led to the death of the remaining two subjects.
• In specific cases where nutritional support was needed, the researchers found that enteral feeding (feeding via a tube that goes directly into the stomach or small intestine) with commercially available low-residue diets alongside treatment for the primary disease was successful in 5 out of 6 patients in reversing hyperlipemia. Additionally, intravenous administration of a glucose-based solution that did not contain any lipids was also effective in resolving hyperlipemia in one case.

Based on these findings, the research indicates the importance of treating the primary diseases in animals suffering from hyperlipemia. It also points out the potential veterinary value of enteral feeding with low-residue diets and glucose-based solutions in such cases.