Abstract
Heavy metal pollution has become a serious health concern in recent years. Dogs are a very good indicator of the pollution load on the environment. They share people's environment and are exposed to the action of the same pollutants. This study estimated the heavy metal contents in the serum of dogs in domestic districts, and assessed the age, sex, feeding habits, living area, breeding environment and smoking habit of the owners. The findings suggest that dogs can be used to monitor the environmental quality of heavy metals. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in the dog serum from 204 samples (108 male and 96 female) were 0.22±0.01 µg/ml, 0.24±0.04 µg/ml, 0.61±0.08 µg/ml, and 0.50±0.06 µg/ml (for Cd, Hg, Pb, and Cr), respectively. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cr in the dog serum were higher in Yeongnam including Ulsan, and Seoul higher than those of Chungchong and Honam, especially Pb concentration, which was significantly higher (p<0.01). Concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb, and Cr in serum, were increased by age (p<0.05). When commercial pet food was provided to dogs, Cd and Cr concentrations were significantly higher in dog serum than dogs fed a human diet (p<0.01 in Cd and p<0.05 in Cr). Heavy metal concentrations of dogs owned by smoking owners, were higher than non-smoking owners although there was no significant difference. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 11 : 1623-1627)
Highlights
Data on lead levels in dogs from Victoria (Australia)
This study measured the heavy metal concentrations in dog serum in Korea and so as to examine the suitability of dogs to monitor the environmental quality of heavy metals
Effect of areas on metal concentrations in dog serum The Cd concentration in dog serum showed similar level regardless of region Hg and Cr content was highest in Yeongnam, followed by Seoul, Chungchong and Honam
Summary
Data on lead levels in dogs from Victoria (Australia). Their normal blood lead concentrations are similar in city dogs Continuous exposure to low levels of heavy metals may living in close symbiosis with human (Kucera et al, 1988), result in bioaccumulation and subsequent health concerns in human and other animals directly and indirectly (Alonso et al, 2000). After heavy metals absorbed in body through various Only a few attempt have so far been made to study the channels by the blood stream accumulated in high affinitive content of heavy metals in companion animals It is excreted in sweat and deposited in hairs (Oostdam et al, 1999). This study measured the heavy metal concentrations in dog serum in Korea and so as to examine the suitability of dogs to monitor the environmental quality of heavy metals
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