The effects of biological and health characteristics of dogs on intraindividual variability of blood parameters

Abstract

Considering the great diversity among dogs and their different biological and health characteristics, as well as different treatment protocols, it has become important to assess the effects of these factors on intraindividual variability of blood parameters in dogs, which is the aim of this study. Blood samples were collected from one hundred client-owned dogs. The dogs were of different age, breed, sex, body condition, reproductive, and health status and were presented to the veterinary clinic for preventive or diagnostic procedures. The effect of age on intraindividual variation was significant for various blood parameters and it was essential to establish new reference intervals or consider using subject-based reference intervals for the senior population of dogs. Sex, breed, and body condition affected intraindividual variability of fewer parameters, so using variability indicators should be considered when interpreting those parameters rather than comparing them to the universal reference intervals. Reproductive status did not significantly contribute to the total variability of an individual and could be disregarded in the process of results interpretation. Regarding the presence of a disease or a treatment, the conclusion was that data on biological variation should be determined separately in healthy individuals, diseased animals, and animals subjected to special treatment protocols. Providing data on intraindividual variability for various types of diseases and different treatment protocols could be essential for easier monitoring of the disease and the effects of the treatment in an individual.