Treating Hyperlipidemia in Dogs, a Genetic Problem with Schnauzers, Shelties, and Collies

Just as with some human beings, some dogs have trouble with cholesterol and high blood lipids (hyperlipidemia). Although high blood lipids and high cholesterol are less common in dogs than in humans, there are breeds with a genetic predisposition including Schnauzers, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties), and Collies,

 It is likely that dogs with hyperlipidemia will benefit from some of the same therapies used to treat humans, including diet with Omega 3 fatty acids (10-30 mg/kg/day), Niacin (50-300 mg/day)  and acupuncture.

 

Research from Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan 430022, PRC indicates acupuncture at ST 40 lowers total cholesterol, lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Equally important, acupuncture at ST 40 decreases chemicals that promote inflammation, damaging the lining of the blood vessels. Among the inflammatory chemicals that shown to be  lowered by acupuncture at ST 40 in this research were

·          tumor necrosis factor-alpha( TNF-alpha)

·          interleukin 6 (IL-6)

·          intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)

·          monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1)

 To read the full research, look for The Effect of Electro-AP at Fenglong (ST40) on expressions of inflammatory factors in macrophages of hyperlipidemia model ratsby Le W, Xiao Y, Tian JY, Chen YF, Jin H, Ma W. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2013 Oct;33(10):1361-6. PMID: 24432680

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