High Cholesterol

[AugtheDog]

Our dogs cholesterol was normal when he was first diagnosed and 3 months later it has doubled. Our vet said this is because of the diabetes.

Has anyone had this happen?

He has been on hills w/d for a month and I'm wondering if thats causing it.

For now we are starting an omega 3.

Debating about changing his diet.

[k9diabetes]

Re: High Cholesterol

Our dog's cholesterol did not rise significantly because of diabetes. He was older and certainly it's not unusual for older dogs to have higher cholesterol.

Is your dog's cholesterol now sky high or just higher than it used to be?

Natalie

[momofdecker]

Re: High Cholesterol

My understanding is that uncontrolled diabetes can cause high cholesterol values in dogs. There are also other diseases, such as cushings and hypothyroidism, that can also cause high cholesterol (and high triglyceride) values in dogs.

My dog's chol value was off the charts high about six weeks after his diabetes was diagnosed. It remained unreadable until we fasted him and had a higher level blood test done to get a reading on them. He also had high fasting triglycerides. Decker turned out to have pancreatitis and hypothyroidism, in addition to diabetes. About eight weeks after starting him on thyroid medication we re-tested everything and his pancreatitis was cleared and his chol and trig values were back in normal range. In his case, I suspect the hypothyroidism was the main cause for his high lipid values.

Added:
Here is an article that explains a bit more about diseases that can cause high cholesterol in animals.
http://www.tuftsyourdog.com/issues/2...ogs-352-1.html

[MikeMurphy]

Re: High Cholesterol

When my dog Lily was first diagnosed with diabetes, she had sky high cholesterol and triglycerides similar to Holli's Decker.

Turns out she was also hypothyroid. Once on thyroxine, everything dropped back to normal ranges.