Plasma Homocysteine Concentrations in Dogs

Many human epidemiologic studies have reported associations between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations and cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis. However, few studies have examined the relationship between Hcy and disease in dogs. In this study, we investigated the relationship between canine plasma Hcy concentrations and sex, age, breed, size; spay/neuter status, and disease. Plasma Hcy concentrations were related to sex and age, but the correlations were very weak. ShibaInu dogs and Labrador Retrievers had a higher risk of hyperhomocysteinemia than other breeds. We compared the plasma Hcy concentrations of healthy control dogs with those of dogs with heart, inflammatory, bone and joint, nervous system, neoplastic, skin, and kidney diseases. The mean plasma Hcy concentrations of dogs with cardiovascular, neoplasia, skin, and kidney diseases were significantly different from those of controls. However, multivariate logistic regression (parameters: Hcy concentration, age, sex, and spay/neuter status) revealed a significant relationship between only skin disease and plasma Hcy concentration. The odds ratio (per 1 μmol/l increase of Hcy) was 1.077 (95% confidence interval 1.00–1.158, p<0.05). Plasma Hcy concentrations significantly differ among dog breeds, and there is a relationship between high plasma Hcy concentration and skin disease.