Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog hair lipid levels rise after fixing liver blood shunts
By Devriendt, Nausikaa et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2022·Small Animal Department·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Total lipid concentration of hairs increases after successful attenuation of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of ten dogs with a liver condition called extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS) underwent surgery to correct the issue. After the surgery, the dogs were monitored for three months, and their hair was tested for lipid levels, which are important for skin and coat health. The results showed that the lipid concentration in their hair increased significantly after the surgery, indicating improved health. Although there were no major changes in skin and coat scoring, the presence of more scales in the skin biopsies suggested some improvement in skin condition.
People also search for: dog liver disease treatment · extrahepatic portosystemic shunt surgery · dog skin coat health after surgery
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Skin and coat quality can reflect nutritional deficiencies in humans and dogs with liver diseases. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Determine skin and coat quality based on a scoring protocol and skin biopsies in dogs with an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS), and determine total lipid concentrations in hairs of dogs at time of surgery and 3 months after successful shunt closure. ANIMALS: Ten client-owned dogs that underwent successful gradual attenuation of EHPSS, as defined by transsplenic portal scintigraphy, were included. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed. All dogs underwent gradual attenuation of the EHPSS. Skin and coat scoring was performed at diagnosis, surgery, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Hair was plucked from the lumbar region for total lipid analysis and an 8 mm punch skin biopsy was taken at time of surgery and 3 months postoperatively, when the dogs underwent transsplenic portal scintigraphy to determine EHPSS closure. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in skin and coat scoring over time. Total lipid concentrations of hairs increased significantly from surgery to 3 months postoperatively [30 μg/mg hair (13-56 μg/mg hair) to 47 μg/mg hair (25-63 μg/mg hair); p = 0.005]. Skin biopsies showed the presence of significantly more scales 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A significant increase in total lipid concentrations in hairs suggests that successful surgical attenuation of EHPSS improves either intestinal absorption of lipids, fat metabolism in the liver, or a combination of both.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35635270/