A survey on serum lipid profile changes in dogs with tail chasing disorder in Iran

Canine compulsive disorder such as tail-chasing is a syndrome of abnormal behaviors that affects many breeds. This disorder may be associated with serum lipid elevationsin dogs, so the objective of the present survey was to characterize serum lipid profile changes in dogs with tail chasing behavior disorder. Twenty seven companion dogswith tail chasing were selected among the referred cases to the Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The affected dogs were diagnosed on the basis ofthe dog’s behavioral history (age, frequency and duration of bouts since onset, intensity of the behavior, current or previous medical assessments) and clinical signs.Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels were measured using commercial kits. Twenty seven control dogs were also enrolled on the basis of normal physical examination results, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profiles. Dogs with tail chasing disorder had significantly higher total cholesterol (p < 0.001), HDL-C (p < 0.05) and LDL-C (p < 0.001) levels compared with control group dogs. Serum triglyceride and VLDL-C levels did not differ significantly between two groups (p > 0.05). When all parameters were compared, there was no significant difference between the affected dogs younger and older than one year (p > 0.05). In conclusion, tail chasing disorder may be associated with marked elevations of serum cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in dogs. These indices may be used as biochemical parameters of tail chasing disorder in clinical settings.