Severe hypertriglyceridaemia in clinically ill horses: diagnosis, treatment and outcome.

This research study investigates the frequency and implications of severe hypertriglyceridaemia, an unusually high level of triglycerides in the bloodstream, in clinically ill horses that show loss of appetite and depression. The researchers aimed to determine whether this condition is more common than previously thought and if treatment using intravenous dextrose or partial parenteral nutrition can normalise triglyceride levels and improve the horse’s condition.

Objective and Methodology

• The study had two main objectives: First, to ascertain if severe hypertriglyceridaemia without any visible changes in serum occurs frequently in clinically ill and inappetant horses; and second, to determine if treating these conditions with intravenous dextrose or partial parenteral nutrition can bring down triglyceride levels and improve the horse’s appetite and temperament.
• The researchers analyzed data from the years 2000 and 2001, looking for horses of any breed, excluding ponies and miniature breeds, with increased serum triglycerides levels (> 5.65 mmol/l). The data included information on the horses’ medical condition, clinical and laboratory parameters, the treatments they received, their response to treatment, and the overall outcome.

Results

• The study identified 13 horses with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, with triglyceride levels ranging from 6.17 to 18.29 mmol/l. None of these horses showed any visible lipaemia, a condition marked by the presence of excessive fat or lipids in the blood.
• All the horses showed clinical signs and lab results consistent with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (a severe systemic reaction to a condition such as an infection or injury), and all but one had increased concentration of serum creatinine, a waste product usually filtered out by the kidneys, indication of potential kidney issues.
• All horses responded to treatment with intravenous dextrose and/or partial parenteral nutrition, which successfully brought down triglyceride levels to normal. Moreover, their appetite and overall demeanor improved along with the reduction of triglycerides.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that severe hypertriglyceridaemia is more common in sick, inappetant horses than previously understood. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome could predispose horses to hypertriglyceridaemia, while high creatinine levels could be either a contributing factor or a result of the condition.
• The horses in the study readily responded to appropriate treatment, with improvements in their appetite and temperament coinciding with a reduction in serum triglyceride levels.
• The study also suggested that hypertriglyceridaemia could contribute to a loss of appetite and depression in clinically ill horses, and might potentially increase the likelihood of fatty infiltration of the liver and other organs.