Variations in Standard Blood Count and Biochemical Parameters in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Biochemical parameters and complete blood count (CBC) are paraclinical exams that are routinely done in almost any patient. In dogs with dermatological conditions they can help in the differential diagnosis by excluding internal problems that may manifest themselves dermatologicaly.The aim of this study was to see if atopic dermatitis in dogs can determine any changes in the CBC or in the standard biochemical parameters without clinical manifestations of internal illnesses.Blood samples (both for CBC and serological analysis) were collected from 15 dogs of different breeds and ages, all diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and no internal organ illness. CBC and biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartat aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, total proteins, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, amylase, Ca, Mg) were investigated and compared with the reference values.The most frequent change in biochemical parameters was the low value of Ca (6 cases) associated sometimes with low TP (4 cases). We also found high values, just above the limit of the reference values, for ALT and ALP (3 cases each). In the CBC we found high values for the granulocytes and white blood cells (4 cases each) or close to the limit of the reference values.When prescribing treatment for atopic dermatitis we need to consider some parameters, like Ca, ALT and WBC, in order to prevent lowering Ca or aggravating immunosuppression with glucocorticoids or affecting liver functions.