Miniature Schnauzer - Common Blood Problem
This beautiful puppy is a Miniature Schnauzer named Heidi. Schnauzers are a popular companion dog because of their energetic and affectionate personalities. It is very important to keep this breed of dog fit like her owner's do with Heidi. Obese Schnauzers are prone to developing a blood disorder that may lead to serious problems. What is the name of this possibly inherited disease? What are the clinical signs?
Diagnosis: Idiopathic Hyperlipidemia
Unfortunately, Miniature Schnauzers are prone to hyperlipidemia which basically means too much fat in their blood. In severe cases, the blood is thick and reminds me of a strawberry milkshake. After it is spun down to separate the cells from the serum, the fat accumulates in a white clump. It is disgusting!
Clinical signs of hyperlipidemia include anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, neurologic problems including seizures, cloudy eyes from fat accumulation and abdominal pain if pancreatitis is present.
Because hyperlipidemia is so common in this breed, I recommend routine annual blood work. I also encourage owners to avoid high fat foods or treats and provide plenty of exercise for their dogs. With treatment, these dogs can avoid the health problems hyperlipidemia causes and live a long, healthy life.
Diagnosis: Idiopathic Hyperlipidemia
Unfortunately, Miniature Schnauzers are prone to hyperlipidemia which basically means too much fat in their blood. In severe cases, the blood is thick and reminds me of a strawberry milkshake. After it is spun down to separate the cells from the serum, the fat accumulates in a white clump. It is disgusting!
Clinical signs of hyperlipidemia include anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, neurologic problems including seizures, cloudy eyes from fat accumulation and abdominal pain if pancreatitis is present.
Because hyperlipidemia is so common in this breed, I recommend routine annual blood work. I also encourage owners to avoid high fat foods or treats and provide plenty of exercise for their dogs. With treatment, these dogs can avoid the health problems hyperlipidemia causes and live a long, healthy life.
Cousteau is a 5 year old MS that has been battling hyperlipidemia for a year now. We've tried Hill's WD and Royal Canin LF. He's been on Lopid for about 8 months now and his tryg results have been very inconsistent. Last one a few days ago was over 1000. Do you have any suggestions? I am at a loss as to what to try next...
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I am sorry to hear about Cousteau's hyperlipidemia. As you know, a level of 1000 is very concerning. When a patient is not controlling, I always look for other health problems like diabetes, Cushing's disease, protein losing nephropathy, pancreatitis and hypothyroidism. These can cause secondary hyperlipidemia. If you have already done that, then I would try another diet including Waltham Low Fat or Eukanuba Low Calorie. In addition, talk to your veterinarian about omega 3 fatty acids, chitin, niacin and/or increasing the dose of gemfibrozil (Lopid). Hope that helps!
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Dr. Nelson,
Maxwell is a 14 year-old Miniature Schnauzer. He has always received plenty of exercise, and I've kept him lean and healthy.
Unfortunately, he has suffered chronic bouts of Pancreatitis -- his first bout brought on by house guests who fed him bacon! The last time I took him to my veterinarian, they did a blood work-up which confirm the diagnosis. One of the doctors suggested I feed him peas and carrots.
I gave him this diet in small amounts with his prescription dry food, (WD), and he got better. The other day I gave him only the dry food, and he became sick again, (vomiting and a little bit of diarrhea).
Should Maxwell be off dry food entirely. Are the peas and carrots good advice. Maxwell's regular doctor retired, and his replacement has a tendency to run his patients through like an assembly line.
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I am sorry to hear about Maxwell's pancreatitis. Dogs who are prone to pancreatitis often struggle with carbohydrates as well as fat. Dry food contains more carbohydrates than canned. Therefore, I would put him on a canned prescription food formulated for dogs with pancreatitis. Once he has stabilized, you might add in some dry but I would never go over 50%. As for the carrots and peas, feel free to give them to Maxwell. You may use them as treats or mix them into his food. Hopefully, future house guests will respect his dietary needs.
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