Cholesterol

Indications for performing this test:  This test is included in a standard serum biochemistry profile.  Cholesterol is a useful tool for the assessment of hepatobiliary function.

Interpretation of serum cholesterol levels:

    Hypercholesterolemia

  • Dogs and cats with severe intrahepatic cholestasis or extrahepatic bile duct obstruction  
  • Secondary to endocrine diseases (such as hyperadrenocortisism)
  • Renal dysfunction: nephrotic syndrome which consists of proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia and edema.
  • Hypercholesterolemia has been associated with the nephrotic syndrome, but the mechanism has not been made clear.
  • Pheochromocytoma

Serum lipemia due to hypercholesterolemia.

    Hypocholesterolemia

  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to decreased chylomicron formation and fat digestion
  • Congenital portal systemic shunts
  • Malabsorptive syndromes in the proximal small intestine

 

A congenital portosystemic shunt is held up by the forceps.


For  more information . . .