Hyperlipemia in 9 miniature horses and miniature donkeys

The medical records from 9 consecutive miniature horses (n = 5) and miniature donkeys (n = 4) with hyperlipemia (serum triglyceride concentration > 500 mg/dL) were reviewed. In all cases, hyperlipemia was a secondary complication of a primary systemic disease including septicemia, colitis, parasitism, esophageal obstruction, gastric impaction and rupture, fecalith, and pituitary adenoma. Therapy consisted of specific treatment for the primary disease, supportive care, and nutritional support. The mean time for resolution of hyperlipemia in cases requiring nutritional support (n = 6) was 7 days, and the duration of nutritional support in surviving patients was 11.7 days. Seven of 9 patients survived. The primary disease resulted in death in 2 patients. Enteral feeding with commercially prepared low residue diets and treatment of the primary disease was successful in reversing hyperlipemia in 5 of 6 surviving patients that required nutritional support. Parenteral administration of a glucose-based (non-lipid) solution was successful in resolving hyperlipemia in 1 patient.