Normal lipid profiles (total lipids, total cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and lipoproteins) were determined in 23 clinic-reared dogs and 26 client-owned dogs. A significantly higher concentration of cholesterol was found in client-owned dogs as compared with clinic-reared dogs. Hepatic necorosis, induced by CCl4, resulted only in a significant decrease in triglycerides. Acute pancreatitis, induced by major and minor pancreatic duct ligations, resulted in a significant increase in free fatty acids and low-density lipoprotein with a decrease in high-density lipoprotein-2.