Blood fats are called lipids, and they circulate throughout the body. They play a wide variety of roles in normal organ function and metabolism. Elevated blood lipids – called hyperlipidemia – in humans are major causes of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome). Do…
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Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How It Is Treated
What Is Acute Pancreatitis? The pancreas is a boomerang-shaped organ within the abdominal cavity. It performs several essential functions. Most importantly, it produces digestive enzymes that allow dogs to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Acute pancreatitis develops when the pancreas becomes suddenly inflamed. Normally, digestive enzymes activate in the…
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High Blood Fat Levels in Dogs & Cats
Elevated blood fats/lipids (called hyperlipidemia) are a major cause of health issues in humans. These lipids, most commonly cholesterol and triglycerides, can negatively affect heart and cardiovascular health, often times contributing to death. Both dogs and cats can have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but dogs are more often affected.…