Determination of reference intervals for nonesterified fatty acids in the blood serum of healthy dogs

Background Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are an important energy substrate in mammals. Measurement of the NEFA concentration in blood serum is common practice and enables reliable detection of a negative energy balance in several species. This parameter can be used to detect subclinical metabolic diseases or to optimise feeding to prevent severe negative energy balance. Since no reference values for dogs have been published, the aim of this study was to establish such values. Methods Blood serum from 85 healthy dogs was examined with a multiparameter clinical chemistry analyser. Given that NEFA values are not usually normally distributed, reference intervals (RIs) were calculated nonparametrically using bootstrapping (5000 replicates) for the 90% confidence intervals. Results The examined cohort had a median age of 62.16 months (2–180 months) and a median weight of 19.2 kg (3.0–55.0 kg) and comprised 27 (31.8%) males and 58 (68.2%) females, with 32 (37.6%) neutered or spayed. The fasting time was 5.9 h (range 0–23 h). The tested confounders age, sex, neuter status, bodyweight and body condition score did not significantly affect the NEFA concentrations. Conclusions The NEFA RI for dogs in this study was 0.2–1.47 mmol/L. The results may be used to adjust food composition and amount in healthy dogs or to detect metabolic disorders. Further research on NEFA metabolism in dogs maintained in standardised conditions and in specific nutritional situations or with particular diseases is warranted.