Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia, also known as blood fat disorder, is a disorder of fat metabolism. Affected animals, usually overweight, have already been in a state of energy deficiency for some time. This can occur, for example, due to illness-related refusal to eat, an overly drastic diet for weight reduction, or during pregnancy.
To cover energy requirements, fat deposits are broken down to a disproportionately high extent. These broken-down fats accumulate in the blood in the form of triglycerides and reach the liver. However, the liver's absorption capacity is soon exhausted by the mass of released triglycerides. The result is a strong accumulation of triglycerides in the blood and in the liver (fatty liver).
The central problem is thought to be the inhibition of insulin activity. Insulin is released after sugar-/starch-rich rations and normally ensures (sugar and) fat storage. In the case of food deprivation and/or inhibited insulin activity (e.g. due to exhausted liver absorption capacity, intensified by insulin resistance in overweight animals), this leads to further mobilisation of fat deposits.
A fatal outcome is often unavoidable due to liver failure caused by the pronounced fatty deposits. Robust breeds such as Icelandic horses, Haflingers, Fjord horses, Shetlands and also donkeys, with a natural predisposition to insulin resistance, are particularly at risk.
Here you can find information on a sensible reduction diet