Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Plasma amino acid levels in dogs with superficial necrolytic
By Outerbridge, Catherine A et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2002·Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Plasma amino acid concentrations in 36 dogs with histologically confirmed superficial necrolytic dermatitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 36 dogs diagnosed with superficial necrolytic dermatitis (a skin condition) had their blood tested for amino acid levels. Most of these dogs were older males, with many being breeds like West Highland white terriers and cocker spaniels. The tests showed that their amino acid levels were lower than those in dogs with liver disease, suggesting that their skin condition might be linked to liver metabolism issues. Understanding these amino acid levels could help veterinarians better manage and treat dogs with this skin problem.
People also search for: dog skin problems treatment · superficial necrolytic dermatitis in dogs · low amino acid levels in dogs
Abstract
Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in 36 dogs diagnosed with superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND) via skin biopsy. The median age of the dogs was 10 years, and 27 out of 36 (75%) were male. Twenty-two out of 36 (61%) of the dogs were accounted for by six breeds; West Highland white terriers (six), Shetland sheepdogs (five), cocker spaniels (four), Scottish terriers (three), Lhasa apsos (two) and Border collies (two). The mean concentration (+/- standard deviation) was calculated for each measured plasma amino acid and compared to previously documented concentrations of plasma amino acids measured in dogs with acute and chronic hepatitis. The ratio of branched chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids in the dogs with SND was 2.6, slightly lower than that in normal dogs. The mean plasma amino acid concentrations for dogs with SND were significantly lower than for dogs with acute and chronic hepatitis. A metabolic hepatopathy in which there is increased hepatic catabolism of amino acids is hypothesized to explain the hypoaminoacidaemia seen in SND.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12174180/