Can dogs suffer from high cholesteroll?

1. 71

   billd01603posted 12 years ago

   Can dogs suffer from high cholesteroll?
   
   We have a 4 year old Lab. My wife is always feeding him table scraps, chicken and beef fat and the like. On his birthday and the anniversary of his adoption, she buys chicken and beef liver for him. She says dogs in the wild prize organ meet. Can anybody help me with this
   
   

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2. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Yes. And also cancer, heart disease, and so many other ailments that effect human beings. I have learned my lesson about this. My little dachshund died of a liver tumor when she was 15 because I'm sure it was because of her diet.

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3. 98

   DrMark1961posted 12 years ago

   I am no expert on this so I have to qoute Ettinger´s Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2nd edition). According to them, "unlike in humans, hypercholesterolemia rarely poses a health risk in dogs and cats. Specific therapy is indicated only if a high level is documented..." There is an idiopathic condition of Miniature Schnauzers that makes them more sensitive to fats, but if you are talking about the Lab in the photo there should be no problem. 
   But, to avoid a bout of pancreatitis, you should give a treat in moderation. I give my dog fat trimmings a few times a week, as a special treat, but only a small amount at feeding. Never too much at once. She doesnt care much about her birthday anyway!

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4. 81

   JayeWisdomposted 12 years ago

   Yes, dogs can have high cholesterol levels from eating too much fat. A dog isn't going to have a heart attack like a human might from clogged arteries, but high lipid levels can cause hyperlipidemia (with seizures and neurological problems) or pancreatitis, which is life-threatening.  Some breeds are more prone to these problems than others. My dog (a miniature schnauzer, one of the breeds with a tendency to develop pancreatitis) has been seriously ill with it twice. I keep her on a very low-fat diet now. You might want to ask your dog's vet if labs are high risk for hyperlipidemia or pancreatitis.

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   1. 98

      DrMark1961posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Actually Jaye the Miniature Schnauzer is not one of the breeds, it is the ONLY breed that suffers from idiopathic hyperlipidemia. Rotts and Labs may have problems, but nothing as severe as a Schnauzer, and no other breeds have problems.

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5. 81

   agilitymachposted 12 years ago

   One of my shelties is on a low fat diet to control cholesterol. It affects his eyes and leaves cholesterol deposits on his cornea.  This causes pain and "pits" on his cornea and could eventually cause vision issues.  I cannot remember the name of this disease, but it is controlled with a low fat diet.
   
   Most dogs in the US suffer from obesity, however, due to people overfeeding and over-treating their dogs. If the dog in the picture is your dog, it looks to be overweight, and possibly quite overweight.   Here is a video link to show you quickly how to tell if your dog needs to lose a few pounds.
   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQzWTRBCzBw
   
   Being overweight can cause some very serious health issues and will also affect your pocketbook with vet bills. 

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