Triglycerides may be ingested or synthesised in the liver. They are complexed with cholesterol, phospholipids and plasma proteins to form lipoproteins.
Small Animals
Triglycerides are the main constituents of chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs) which are responsible for the gross lipaemia seen in serum or plasma samples. Chylomicrons separate and form a fatty layer, after overnight refrigeration, whilst VLDLs remain dispersed in the serum/plasma. Where a sample is lipaemic after a 16 hour fast then a pathological lipaemia is thought to exist. Hyperlipidaemia refers to increased lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol or both) in the blood. Primary or secondary hyperlipidaemia is being increasingly recognised in dogs.
Cause of increased trigycerides
- Post prandial
- Hypothyroidism (dogs)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperadrenocorticism
- Cholestasis (transient)
- Acute pancreatitis
- Feline idiopathic hyperchylomicronaemia
- Primary hyperlipidaemia in Miniature Schnauzer, Beagle, Shetland Sheep dog, Doberman, Rottweiler, Pyrenean Mountain dog
- Protein losing renal disorders including nephrotic syndrome
Complementary Tests
Cholesterol, thyroid panel, ACTH stimulation test or low dose dexamethasone screening test, glucose/fructosamine, lipase, PLI, urine protein:creatinine ratio and albumin.
Equine
The reference interval for healthy horses is 0.07-0.61mmol/l. Healthy ponies and donkeys often have higher levels and some donkeys can see values up to 3.28mmol/l.
In all equines, an increased concentration of triglycerides (>5mmol/l) is consistent with a diagnosis of hyperlipidaemia. Hyperlipidaemia is seen in conditions which result in a negative energy balance for example, stress, pregnancy, malnutrition, lactation, endotoxaemia, renal failure. This is accentuated with obesity. It is harmless in most but pathological for a few. Ponies and females are more susceptible to the pathological syndrome, which can be fatal. Shetland ponies, other small ponies and donkeys appear prone.
Complementary Tests
Bile acids, liver enzymes, urea, creatinine and urine SG.
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