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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2025; 39(2); e70072; doi: 10.1111/jvim.70072

Renal Lipidosis in Horses and Donkeys: 25 Cases (2008-2022).

Abstract: Renal lipidosis is a well-documented histologic finding in humans and small animals with renal and metabolic disorders, but it is not well described in equids. Objective: To describe the signalment, clinicopathologic indices, and postmortem findings of equids with a histologic diagnosis of both hepatic and renal lipidosis (HL + RL) and compare them to cases with hepatic lipidosis only (HL). Methods: Equids with necropsy findings of renal or hepatic lipidosis (state diagnostic lab) between 2008 and 2022. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Signalment, history, necropsy diagnosis, and selected biochemical data at admission were extracted from medical records. Each case of HL + RL was assigned a matched case from group HL for comparison of clinical data. Results: Renal lipidosis was diagnosed in 0.5% (25/4680) of equid necropsies. Donkeys (7/13) and pony/miniature horses (13/37) with hepatic lipidosis were more likely to also have renal lipidosis compared to horses (5/141; p = 0.0006, RR = 15.1and p < 0.0001, RR = 9.9, respectively). No cases of renal lipidosis were identified without concurrent hepatic lipidosis. The predominant presenting complaints involved gastrointestinal (16/25) and neurologic (12/25) systems. Compared to group HL, group HL + RL had significantly higher admission plasma lactate concentration (+6.2 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.04-13.1, p = 0.04) and GGT activity (+246 U/L, 95% CI -480.4-1870, p = 0.02). No significant differences were detected in creatinine or triglyceride concentrations. Conclusions: Renal lipidosis is an occasional postmortem finding in equids with hepatic lipidosis and is more common in donkeys, ponies, and miniature horses compared to horses. The clinical implications of renal lipidosis remain unclear.
© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-20 PubMed ID: 40109253DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70072Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study investigates renal lipidosis, an affliction related to kidney and metabolic disorders, in horses and donkeys, comparing occurrence rates in different types of equids and correlating with associated hepatic lipidosis. Findings suggest that this affliction is more commonly found postmortem in donkeys, ponies and miniature horses than in horses. The clinical significance of renal lipidosis is yet to be established.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aimed to understand renal lipidosis in equids – an area not extensively studied or documented. This was done by examining cases with both hepatic and renal lipidosis (HL+ RL), and contrasting them with cases displaying only hepatic lipidosis (HL).
  • An extensive retrospective case-control study was carried out on equids with necropsy findings of renal or hepatic lipidosis. Data was sourced from a state diagnostic lab spanning from 2008 to 2022.
  • Information including the equid’s medical history, necropsy diagnosis, and select biochemical data at admission was extracted from medical records. For comparison of clinical data, each case of HL + RL was assigned a matched case from the HL group.

Results

  • Of all equid necropsies, renal lipidosis was found in just 0.5% (25 out of 4680) cases. Notably, when concurrent hepatic lipidosis was present, equids like donkeys and pony/miniature horses were more likely to also exhibit renal lipidosis compared to horses. This was statistically significant.
  • No instances of lone renal lipidosis were found, always appearing with concurrent hepatic lipidosis.
  • Presenting complaints typically involved gastrointestinal (16 out of 25) and neurological systems (12 out of 25).
  • Group HL + RL showed a significantly higher plasma lactate concentration at admission, in contrast with the HL group. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity was also significantly increased, yet no significant differences were observed in creatinine or triglyceride concentrations.

Conclusions

  • In cases of equids with hepatic lipidosis, renal lipidosis constitutes an occasional postmortem finding and is more frequent in donkeys, ponies, and miniature horses compared to horses.
  • However, the clinical implications of renal lipidosis remain uncertain. Further studies are needed to understand its significance and role in the health of equids.

Cite This Article

APA
Slavik K, Bender S, Sharkey L, Nolen-Walston R. (2025). Renal Lipidosis in Horses and Donkeys: 25 Cases (2008-2022). J Vet Intern Med, 39(2), e70072. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70072

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 2
Pages: e70072

Researcher Affiliations

Slavik, Kali
  • Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Bender, Susan
  • Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Sharkey, Leslie
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA.
Nolen-Walston, Rose
  • Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equidae
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Lipidoses / veterinary
  • Lipidoses / pathology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Kidney Diseases / veterinary
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horses
  • Liver Diseases / veterinary
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Kidney / pathology

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