Po's Recovery From Hyperlipidemia

PO'S STORY

How It Began

When Po first came to our attention, it was clear he needed help, but the full extent of his condition only became apparent once he was in veterinary care. What began as visible signs of neglect quickly revealed a serious, life threatening metabolic disorder. His case became not only a rescue story, but an example of how critical early intervention and sustained care truly are.

AGE

~17

CONDITION

RELATED CONDITIONS

Hyperlipidemia

PPID, Pneumonia, Malnutrition

INTAKE AND INITIAL CONCERNS

How we first met Po

We first saw Po listed on a broker thread, where several signs of neglect immediately stood out. His hooves were severely overgrown, his coat was thick and curly, and one eye appeared lifeless.

That thick, curly coat raised concern for PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) — a common hormonal disorder in older horses, somewhat similar to Cushing’s disease in humans. Horses with PPID often struggle to regulate their coat, metabolism, and immune system, which can make them more vulnerable to other illnesses.

We suspected there were deeper issues. Horses who have been neglected in visible ways, like hoof care, are often lacking in less obvious but equally important areas, like dental care and nutrition.

Po was transported to a veterinary clinic on December 31, 2020, for urgent evaluation.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

What we saw

By the time he arrived, Po’s condition had worsened. He had very little appetite, had begun developing a cough, and was experiencing thick, green diarrhea.

Although his long coat made him appear larger, a hands-on evaluation revealed he was actually underweight. He was scored a 3 out of 10 on the Body Condition Score (BCS) scale, which is a standard system used to assess a horse’s fat coverage. A score of 3 indicates a thin horse, where ribs are easily visible and there is minimal fat over the body—an important indicator of malnutrition.

DIAGNOSIS

What we found out

Bloodwork quickly revealed the most urgent issue:
Po had severely elevated triglyceride levels, confirming a diagnosis of hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipidemia is a dangerous metabolic condition in horses where fat is released into the bloodstream faster than the body can process it. This often occurs when a horse is not eating enough — whether due to stress, illness, or underlying conditions like PPID. As fat accumulates in the blood, it can begin to impair organ function, particularly the liver, and can become fatal if not addressed quickly.

Additional diagnostics revealed:

An active infection
Pneumonia
A non-viable (blind) eye
Surprisingly minimal structural damage within the hooves despite severe overgrowth

While Po had multiple health challenges, hyperlipidemia was the most immediate threat to his life.

TREATMENT AND EARLY CHALLENGES

The path to recovery

Initial treatment focused predominantly on getting Po to eat. In cases of hyperlipidemia, restoring caloric intake is critical to stopping the body from breaking down fat at dangerous levels.

He was started on:

A carefully managed diet
Medications and supplements to support his metabolic system and fight infection

Although he was initially hospitalized, Po struggled in that environment. It was ultimately decided that he would come to the barn, where he could receive more individualized, around the clock care.

PROGRESS

Little pony, Big steps

The first two weeks were difficult and included several setbacks, but there were signs of progress. Follow up bloodwork showed that Po’s triglyceride levels had dropped by approximately 50%, a major step in stabilizing his condition.

A few adjustments were made along the way. The initial medication used to manage his suspected PPID negatively affected his appetite — something that could not be risked given his metabolic state. He was transitioned to a compounded form of pergolide (a different medication commonly used to treat PPID) which he tolerated much better.

As his physical health improved, so did his behavior. Po began to show personality becoming more interactive and engaged with both caretakers and volunteers.

ONGOING PROGRESS

Happy and healthy

Recovery extended beyond medical treatment. Once stable, Po was gradually introduced to other horses. After a little while he became best friends with Mia, an older mare at the barn.

Horses are social animals, and reduced stress and increased comfort can directly support recovery, so companionship plays an important role in their health.

With improved comfort (especially after completing dental work) Po’s ability to eat efficiently increased, he began to gain more weight, and he continued to progress more and more each day.