GI23 - Serum cobalamin and methylmalonic acid concentrations in emaciated dogs with long-term inadequate nutrition

Abstract: Background –Cobalamin status in emaciated dogs with long-term inadequate nutrition (LTIN) secondary to neglect is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives – Evaluate serum cobalamin and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in emaciated dogs with LTIN. Animals – Serum samples from 27 emaciated dogs with LTIN presenting for forensic evaluation and 29 control dogs with adequate body condition score. Methods – Single-center, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study measuring serum cobalamin and MMA concentrations in emaciated dogs with LTIN, compared to control animals with adequate body condition score. Results – 6/26 (23%) dogs with LTIN had hypocobalaminemia (< 251 ng/L) and 15/26 (58%) dogs were in the low-normal range (< 400 ng/L). The 26 dogs that were emaciated had significantly lower serum B12 concentrations (mean 459, median 341, SD = 52.2) compared to the 29 control dogs (mean 647, median 610, SD = 3151.1; p< 0.01). Although 6 of 27 (23%) dogs with LTIN had increased serum MMA, none of the dogs with hypocobalaminemia had elevated MMA concentrations. The was no significant correlation (Spearman r =-0.0513, p = 0.79) between serum cobalamin and MMA concentrations in emaciated dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance – Hypocobalaminemia was present in some emaciated dogs presenting with LTIN. However, none of the hypocobalaminemic dogs had a concurrent MMA elevation, suggesting that their cobalamin deficiency was not found at the cellular level. This study represents the first known report of hypocobalaminemia secondary to starvation in dogs. We recommend evaluation and cobalamin supplementation on intake to all emaciated dogs presenting with LTIN.