Changes

 

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

===Risk Factors===

===Risk Factors===

# '''Age:'''<br>Younger animals are less prone to the disease than animals over ten years, possibly due to better health and strength.  

# '''Age:'''<br>Younger animals are less prone to the disease than animals over ten years, possibly due to better health and strength.  

# '''Sex:'''<br>Mares are more likely to get the disease than males, due to aspects of their physiology. Gender does not significantly affect  survival.

# '''Sex:'''<br>Mares are more likely to get the disease than males, due to aspects of their physiology. Gender does not significantly affect  survival.

# '''Late [[Donkey - Female Reproduction#Pregnancy|pregnancy]] and early lactation:'''<br>The additional energy demand on the mare during these periods increases the risk of developing hyperlipaemia.

# '''Late [[Female Reproduction - Donkey#Pregnancy|pregnancy]] and early lactation:'''<br>The additional energy demand on the mare during these periods increases the risk of developing hyperlipaemia.

# [[Donkey - Hyperadrenocorticism|'''Cushing’s Syndrome]]:'''<br>Cortisol antagonises the effect of insulin, which allows body fat to be more readily mobilised.

# [[Hyperadrenocorticism - Donkey|'''Cushing’s Syndrome]]:'''<br>Cortisol antagonises the effect of insulin, which allows body fat to be more readily mobilised.

# '''[[Laminitis - Donkey|Laminitis]]:''' <br>Primary hyperlipaemia can be seen in laminitic animals, due to the association with insulin resistance. The disease can be secondary, due to inappetence.

# '''[[Laminitis - Donkey|Laminitis]]:''' <br>Primary hyperlipaemia can be seen in laminitic animals, due to the association with insulin resistance. The disease can be secondary, due to inappetence.

# '''Concurrent disease:''' <br>Any disease that puts the animal in a negative energy balance can cause hyperlipaemia, such as:

# '''Concurrent disease:''' <br>Any disease that puts the animal in a negative energy balance can cause hyperlipaemia, such as:

#*Gastro-intestinal diseases, specifically parasitism, colitis, gastric ulceration, impactions and any cause of dysphagia

#*Gastro-intestinal diseases, specifically parasitism, colitis, gastric ulceration, impactions and any cause of dysphagia

#*Hepatopathy

#*Hepatopathy

#*[[Donkey - Dental Problems|Dental disease]]

#*[[Dental Problems - Donkey|Dental disease]]

#*Endotoxaemia

#*Endotoxaemia

#*Neoplasia

#*Neoplasia

Early clinical signs are often vague and easily missed. Due to the predisposition of donkeys to hyperlipaemia, any animal included in one or more of the risk factors should be monitored closely and, ideally, receive preventative treatment.

Early clinical signs are often vague and easily missed. Due to the predisposition of donkeys to hyperlipaemia, any animal included in one or more of the risk factors should be monitored closely and, ideally, receive preventative treatment.

The behavioural changes may be very subtle in a quiet, stoical donkey. To diagnose hyperlipaemia, a thorough clinical examination is required, including serum biochemistry to assess hyperlipidaemia. Hyperlipaemia should always be considered when a [[Donkey - Dull Donkey|dull]] or sick donkey is presented. The donkey owner’s opinion of the demeanour is valuable in detection of these early changes. The condition will progress rapidly if unchecked, to include one or more of the following clinical signs:

The behavioural changes may be very subtle in a quiet, stoical donkey. To diagnose hyperlipaemia, a thorough clinical examination is required, including serum biochemistry to assess hyperlipidaemia. Hyperlipaemia should always be considered when a [[Dull Donkey|dull]] or sick donkey is presented. The donkey owner’s opinion of the demeanour is valuable in detection of these early changes. The condition will progress rapidly if unchecked, to include one or more of the following clinical signs:

[[Image:Mucus-covered faeceas.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Mucus-covered faeces (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Mucus-covered faeceas.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Mucus-covered faeces (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

• [[Donkey - Dull Donkey|Dullness/depression]]

• [[Dull Donkey|Dullness/depression]]

• Inappetence/anorexia

• Inappetence/anorexia

===Treatment===

===Treatment===

* '''NSAID s:''' Flunixin meglumine as a minimum anti-endotoxic dose  

* '''NSAID s:''' Flunixin meglumine as a minimum anti-endotoxic dose  

Parenteral nutrition may become more widely available in the future. This could be useful, but is currently expensive.

Parenteral nutrition may become more widely available in the future. This could be useful, but is currently expensive.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Controlling the weight is also important in prevention, as obese donkeys have a greatly increased risk. Donkeys of condition score 5 and over almost inevitably suffer from hyperlipaemia if stressed by transport, mixing groups, surgery, or even changes in  management. Dieting should be done following a strict regime of slow reduction in feed intake. A loss of 2-4 kg per month

Controlling the weight is also important in prevention, as obese donkeys have a greatly increased risk. Donkeys of condition score 5 and over almost inevitably suffer from hyperlipaemia if stressed by transport, mixing groups, surgery, or even changes in  management. Dieting should be done following a strict regime of slow reduction in feed intake. A loss of 2-4 kg per month

or 1-2 cm of heart girth is advisable. Owners need to be educated as to the importance of reporting changes in feed intake.

or 1-2 cm of heart girth is advisable. Owners need to be educated as to the importance of reporting changes in feed intake.

==References==

==References==

* Grove, V. (2008) Hyperlipaemia In  Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 4

* Grove, V. (2008) Hyperlipaemia In  Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 4

* Fowler, J. N. (1989). ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey. Second Edition.'' E.D. Svendsen (ed). Whittet Books Ltd. pp 108-109.

* Fowler, J. N. (1989). ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey. Second Edition.'' E.D. Svendsen (ed). Whittet Books Ltd. pp 108-109.

* Jeffcott, L. N., Field, J. R. (1985). ‘Current Concepts of hyperlipaemia in horses and ponies’. ''Veterinary Record'' 116. p 461.

* Jeffcott, L. N., Field, J. R. (1985). ‘Current Concepts of hyperlipaemia in horses and ponies’. ''Veterinary Record'' 116. p 461.

* Watson, T.D.G. (1998). ''Metabolic and Endocrine Problems of the Horse.'' W.B. Saunders, London. pp 23-40.

* Watson, T.D.G. (1998). ''Metabolic and Endocrine Problems of the Horse.'' W.B. Saunders, London. pp 23-40.

* Watson, T. D. G., Packard, C. J., Shepherd, J., and Fowler, J. N. (1990). ‘An Investigation of the relationship between body  condition and plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in 24 donkeys’. ''Veterinary Record'' 127. pp 498-500.

* Watson, T. D. G., Packard, C. J., Shepherd, J., and Fowler, J. N. (1990). ‘An Investigation of the relationship between body  condition and plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in 24 donkeys’. ''Veterinary Record'' 127. pp 498-500.