The medical records from 9 consecutive miniature horses (n = 5) and miniature donkeys (n = 4) with hyperlipemia (serum triglyceride concentration 2500 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 yperlipemia is a syndrome characterized by negative H energy balance and rapid mobilization of peripheral adipose tissue resulting in serum triglyceride concentrations >500 mg/dL. Pony breeds are predominantly affected, with an incidence rate of 5.1 patients/lOO ponies in one year'; Shetland ponies and donkeys appear especially prone. I-'' Hyperlipemia is most frequently a primary disease process' associated with obe~ity,'.~.'' pregnan~y,~.~.' lactation, ' and tran~portation.~ However, it may be secondary to any systemic disease that results in negative energy balance,'* including internal parasitism, 1-4393'2 p n e~m o n i a ,~ colitis,I2 and laminitis.' Hyperlipemia secondary to an esophageal laceration has been reported in a miniature h o r~e . '~ Whether hyperlipemia is a primary or secondary disease process, the prognosis in affected ponies and donkeys is grave, with mortality rates of 43% to 80%.1,6.7.9The clinical signs of hyperlipemia in ponies are nonspecific and include depression, inappetence, and adipsia. Colic, ventral edema, rapid loss of body condition, fever, diarrhea, and trembling are reported in severely affected ponie~.'-~,' Prolonged increases of serum triglyceride concentrations are associated with lipid accumulation in the liver, kidney, myocardium, and skeletal muscles, impairing function of these The liver and kidney become friable, and death may result from acute hepatic rupture.6 Hyperlipemia has been infrequently reported in miniature horses or miniature donkeys, and the clinical signs, mortality, and biochemical alterations are not well described. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to describe the clinical course and nutritional management of 9 miniature horses and miniature donkeys with naturally occurring hyperlipemia.
Criteria for Selection of PatientsCase records were reviewed from 9 consecutive cases of hyperlipemia in equidae presented to The Ohio State Uni-