Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog breeds prone to low vitamin B12 or folate levels in blood
By Dandrieux, J R S et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2013·School of Veterinary Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Canine breed predispositions for marked hypocobalaminaemia or decreased folate concentration assessed by a laboratory survey.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that certain dog breeds are more likely to have low levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folate, which are important for their health. Shar Peis, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, and mixed breeds were identified as being at higher risk for low B12 levels, while Golden Retrievers and Boxers were more prone to low folate levels. If you have one of these breeds, it might be a good idea to discuss vitamin testing with your veterinarian, especially if your dog shows signs of health issues related to these nutrients.
People also search for: dog low vitamin B12 symptoms · Shar Pei health issues · Boxer folate deficiency treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine canine breed predispositions for decreased serum folate or markedly decreased cobalamin concentrations. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of samples from dogs that had serum folate and cobalamin concentrations measured, from 1990 to 2002 at the Comparative Gastroenterology Laboratory of Liverpool, were enrolled. A total of 13,069 samples were analysed. Those with trypsin-like immunoreactivity < 5·0 lg/L were excluded, and only breeds with at least 30 individuals tested were further analyzed. Breed predisposition was determined by calculating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for hypocobalaminaemia or decreased folate concentration. Significance was tested with a two-sided Fisher's exact test, and the level of statistical significance was set at P<0·05. RESULTS: A total of 9960 dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Forty breeds contained at least 30 individuals. Predispositions for hypocobalaminaemia were identified in shar peis, Staffordshire bull terriers, German shepherd dogs and mixed breeds. Predispositions for decreased folate concentration were found in golden retrievers and boxers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Predisposition for marked hypocobalaminaemia and decreased folate concentration differed between breeds. The shar peis had a markedly increased odds ratio for hypocobalaminaemia, as previously reported in North America, but other at-risk breeds were also identified.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23458644/