Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High vitamin C levels found in dogs in intensive care unit
By Groth, E et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2012·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperascorbaemia in dogs admitted to a teaching hospital intensive care unit.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in an intensive care unit had their blood tested for vitamin C levels during their hospital stay. The results showed that these dogs had higher levels of vitamin C after three days compared to the first two days, suggesting that they do not become deficient in this vitamin while hospitalized. In fact, their vitamin C levels were higher than those of healthy dogs not in the hospital. This means that extra vitamin C supplements may not be necessary for dogs receiving intensive care.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not dogs develop a deficiency of ascorbic acid during hospitalisation in an intensive care unit. METHODS: Blood samples were collected daily for up to three days from dogs hospitalised in an intensive care unit for 36 to 72 hours (n = 16) or ê72 hours (n = 20) and from healthy dogs (n = 13). Plasma total ascorbic acid concentrations were measured using a colorimetric method involving a reaction between ascorbic acid, 2,6 dichlorophenol-indophenol, thiourea and dinitrophenyl hydrazine. Additionally, clinical data were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: Dogs hospitalised for ê72 hours had significantly greater plasma ascorbic acid concentrations on day 3 compared to days 1 and 2. There was no difference in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations between days 1 and 2 for dogs hospitalised for 36 to 72 hours. Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly greater for each day of sampling for the hospitalised dogs compared to the control dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations appear to increase during hospitalisation, and supplementation may not be indicated in dogs hospitalised in an intensive care unit.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23020198/