Development of a system for clinical evaluation of the biotin status of sows

Sixteen test gilts were fed an egg white-fortified practical diet and four control gilts an egg white-free diet over a two-parity period in order to monitor changes in the serum biotin levels as induced biotin deficiency progressed. Gilts were individually housed in metal crates with slatted floors. Serum biotin (ng/L) of test animals declined from 1490 (initially) to 610 (month 3), remained stable (months 4-8) and thereafter approached 400, 135 and 30 after months 9, 13 and 15, respectively. Early clinical symptoms, i.e. lesions (on the feet, legs and skin), hoof cracks, hair loss and dry skin, were first observed after six months and became progressively more pronounced with time. After nine months, the induced symptoms resembled those characteristic of biotin deficiency. In contrast, serum biotin remained high in the control animals which did not develop symptoms. The data are interpreted to mean that serum biotin might be used as a sensitive index of biotin deficiency development in sows. On the basis of these observations, a system is proposed for evaluation of the sow's biotin status. Adequate biotin may be indicated by serum biotin level (ng/L) > 700; marginal, > 600 < 700; inadequate, > 400 < 600; and deficient, < 400. Alternatively, several concurrent clinical symptoms (i.e. alopecia, hoof cracks and lesions on the feet, legs and skin) may aid in the diagnosis of inadequate biotin status of sow herds reared under field conditions.     

26例犬甲状腺机能减退的临床调查分析

收集了浙江大学附属动物医院门诊26例犬甲状腺机能减退的病例相关资料,通过对其性别、品种、年龄、临床症状和部分血液生化结果进行调查分析,治疗采用口服左旋甲状腺素片20μg/kg,2次/d。结果表明,犬甲状腺机能减退没有性别倾向性,2岁~7岁的中青年犬易发,涉及11个品种;患犬均有不同程度的肥胖、反应迟钝的症状,此外因频繁抽搐服用抗癫痫药物(苯巴比妥)导致甲状腺功能低下的犬3例,仅表现葡萄膜炎的犬2例,并发糖尿病的犬1例,表现为脱毛、色素沉着、继发感染等皮肤异常的犬20例;患犬高胆固醇血症的占15.38%,高甘油三酯血症的占65.38%;给予口服左旋甲状腺素片治疗效果良好。     

Effect of biotin supplementation of a barley-wheat diet on restoration of healthy feet, legs and skin of biotin deficient sows

Sixteen sows with induced biotin deficiency were divided into groups of four and fed an egg-white-free barley-wheat based diet without added biotin (control) or supplemented with one of three levels of synthetic d-biotin (100, 200 or 400 micrograms kg-1) for two parities in order to determine the optimal level required to reverse symptoms of the deficiency and to evaluate the relationship among dietary biotin levels, stage of recovery and serum biotin concentrations. Biotin supplementation significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) the incidence of lesions (on the foot pads, above the dew claws and on the skin) and also dry skin, but had no effect (P greater than 0.05) on hoof cracks, hair score or hair density. Time after supplementation had significant effects on reversal of most biotin deficiency symptoms. Interactions between biotin supplementation and time after supplementation suggested that these symptoms were reversed more quickly when higher levels of biotin were fed. Serum biotin concentrations of biotin-supplemented sows were increased with time and exceeded 600 ng litre-1 after 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 months following biotin supplementation of the basal diet with 400, 200 and 100 micrograms kg-1. In contrast, serum biotin concentrations of the control sows remained low and peaked at 411 ng litre-1 after 2.5 months. The data suggested that supplementation of a barley-wheat diet to provide 147 to 217 micrograms available biotin kg-1 might be adequate to restore healthy feet, legs and skin and concurrently maintain high serum biotin concentrations.     

Quantitation of house dust mite allergens (Der f 1 and group 2) on the skin and hair of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concentration of house dust mite (HDM) allergens, Der f 1 and group 2, on the skin and hair of dogs and whether associations exist between the presence of Der f 1 and group 2 allergens on the skin and hair of dogs and household and dog characteristics. ANIMALS: 63 pet dogs from 50 homes. PROCEDURE: Dogs were weighed and body surface area in square meters was determined. Skin and hair samples were obtained by vacuuming dogs. Collected dust was analyzed by use of standard ELISA techniques. RESULTS: HDM allergen was detected in 21 of 59 skin and hair samples. Presence of group 2 allergen on skin and hair of dogs was significantly associated with long hair, compared with short or medium length hair. Median house dust sample concentrations of Der f 1 and group 2 allergens were high in homes with dogs that had skin and hair samples that were positive for Der f 1 and group 2 allergens. Dogs with skin and hair samples that were positive for Der f 1 and group 2 allergens resided in homes with a high number of house dust samples that were positive for Der f 1, group 2, or both allergens and in homes with a mean house dust sample allergen concentration of > or =2 microg/g of dust. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Associations exist between environmental HDM allergen concentrations and HDM allergens on the skin and hair samples of dogs. Environmental allergen load is a major factor in accumulation of allergens on the skin and hair of dogs.     

Seasonal Moulting in Adult Male Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Abstract

Seasonal moulting was studied by quantitative histology and external observations in adult male raccoon dogs. Moulting of the underfur hairs is characterized by a heavy loss of old winter hair in spring and an intensive growth of new winter hair in autumn. Only few mature and growing underfur hairs were found in the hair cover in summer. The new intermediate and large guard hairs started to develop in April and May. All the new guard hairs had developed by the end of June. About 7 and 3.5 months were needed for the growth of new winter guard and underfur hairs respectively. At the end of November the winter fur was mature. The bundles with an intermediate guard hair contained more underfur hairs than the bundles with a large guard hair in the mature winter fur. The thickness of dermis and the grade of skin colour peaked in the autumn moult, indicating a close relation to the activity of hair follicles.     

Contamination of dog hair with eggs of Toxocara canis

Toxocara canis, the common intestinal nematode of dogs and foxes, is the parasite responsible for human toxocarosis. It has recently been shown that dogs may harbour eggs of the parasite in their fur. To further investigate this claim a population of 100 stray dogs was examined to establish the prevalence and intensity of adult toxocaral worm infection in the intestines and eggs harboured in the hair. A novel method of washing the eggs from the hair was used. Sixty-seven percent of dogs were found to have T. canis eggs on their hair with a mean egg retrieval of nearly 584 eggs per gram from positive dogs. The age of the dog was found to be the only significant factor to influence the prevalence and intensity of eggs, with 95% of all the eggs recovered found on puppies. Thirty-nine percent of dogs were found to have adult T. canis worms in their intestine, although a significantly higher percentage of puppies (80%) were infected with worms than adults (22.5%). Puppies also had more worms per infection than adults and have a strong positive correlation between egg and worms numbers whereas adults did not. These studies show that stray dogs, particularly puppies, potentially harbour considerable numbers of eggs on their hair, at densities far higher than those reported in the soil or the general environment.     

Chronic thallium intoxication in five German pointers of one litter

The difficulty of diagnosis and therapy of chronic thallium intoxication is described in five German Pointers with the same skin disease. The detection of thallium in cases of skin lesions like the cutaneous erythema with oedema and crusts or in chronic cases with multifocal alopecia is difficult. The first diagnostic information was gathered in this case from the high thallium level in the urine. The thallium concentration in the hair is subject to great variations, even in physiologic conditions. The trichogramme showed in this case pathognomonic changes like adhesion of the hair follicles. Differential diagnosis for this symmetric alopezia without pruritus are hormonal disturbances or, in puppies, the generalized form of demodicosis. The five affected dogs were treated with Fe III-Hexacyanoferrat. The clinical appearance of the skin improved slowly during a period of 1-2 months.     

Granulomatous Dermatitis in Carnivores Associated with Dermatophyte Infection

Nine cases of granulomatous dermatitis in carnivores (eight dogs, one cat) are described. In three cases, in which there were no fungi in hair shafts, nor any other evidence of mycotic infection initially, fungal elements were demonstrated in the granulomas with the aid of special stains (PAS and Grocott). Granulomatous dermatitis in case of dermatophyte infections is thought to be an hypersensitivity reaction and has been reported to occur in a variety of mammals. It is suggested that pyogranulomatous skin reactions and trichogranulomas could be associated with dermatophytes and it is recommended to carry out further laboratory studies in order to detect fungi in such cases.     

The canine hair cycle - a guide for the assessment of morphological and immunohistochemical criteria

The hair follicle has a lifelong capacity to cycle through recurrent phases of controlled growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and quiescence (telogen), each associated with specific morphological changes. A comprehensive classification scheme is available for mice to distinguish the cycle stages anagen I-VI, catagen I-VIII and telogen. For dogs, such a classification system does not exist, although alopecia associated with hair cycle arrest is common. We applied analogous morphological criteria and various staining techniques to subdivide the canine hair cycle stages to the same extent as has been done in mice. Of all the staining techniques applied, haematoxylin and eosin stain, Sacpic, Masson Fontana and immunohistochemistry for vimentin and laminin proved to be most useful. To evaluate the applicability of our criteria, we investigated skin biopsies from healthy beagle dogs (n=20; biopsies from shoulder and thigh) kept in controlled conditions. From each biopsy, at least 50 hair follicles were assessed. Statistical analysis revealed that 30% of the follicles were in anagen (12% early and 18% late), 8% in catagen (2% early, 5% late and 1% not determinable) and 27% in telogen. Thirty-five per cent of hair follicles could not be assigned to a specific cycle stage because not all follicles within one biopsy were oriented perfectly. In conclusion, this guide will not only be helpful for the investigation of alopecic disorders and possibly their pathogenesis, but may also serve as a basis for research projects in which the comparison of hair cycle stages is essential, e.g. comparative analysis of gene expression patterns.     

Demodex injai infestation and dorsal greasy skin and hair in eight wirehaired fox terrier dogs

Demodex injai mites were detected on trichoscopic examinations and/or deep skin scrapings in eight wirehaired fox terrier dogs with dorsal greasy skin and hair. Histological examination performed in five dogs revealed marked sebaceous gland hyperplasia with lympho-plasmacytic periadnexal dermatitis in all of them. One mite section was observed in one patient. Seven dogs were parasitologically cured after 2 to 7 months of oral ivermectin treatment. Greasy skin and hair resolved in four dogs, was partially reduced in two dogs and persisted in the remaining dog. Skin biopsies were repeated after parasitological cure in two dogs and revealed the persistence of sebaceous gland hyperplasia with mild lympho-plasmacytic periadnexal dermatitis and no parasites. Based on the findings in this case series, the terrier dog breed might be at increased risk for the development of D. injai mite infestation associated with dorsal greasy skin and hair, and microscopically with sebaceous gland hyperplasia. Persistence of sebaceous gland hyperplasia after parasitological cure in some patients suggested that this histological finding may not always be resulting from Demodex infestation. Moreover, low numbers of adult mites and variable clinical responses to acaricidal therapy suggested a contributory rather than a major role of D. injai in this skin condition. Dermatopathological diagnosis of sebaceous gland hyperplasia, particularly in case of dorsal trunk specimens from terrier dog breeds, warrants the search for D. injai mites on trichoscopic examinations and/or deep skin scrapings.     

Hyperpigmentation of the skin in canine demodicosis

The occasional development of hyperpigmentation of the skin of dogs with demodectic mange is reported. Of 50 randomly selected dogs treated for this disease at a Dublin clinic, five showed diffuse hyperpigmentation of the skin. The hyperpigmentation appeared to be the result of increased melanocyte activity in the epidermis. The dermis about infested hair follicles contained many histiocytes packed with melanin granules. Comparable reactions have been reported in man and hamsters with demodicosis. Adrenal cortical malfunction may be responsible for the observed increased melanocyte activity in these dogs.     

Effects of dietary flax seed and sunflower seed supplementation on normal canine serum polyunsaturated fatty acids and skin and hair coat condition scores

This prospective study involved supplementing 18 normal dogs with flax seed (FLX) and sunflower seed (SUN) and evaluating their effects on skin and hair coat condition scores and serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentrations. Skin and hair coat were evaluated in a double-blinded fashion using a numeric scoring system and serum PUFA concentrations were determined. Our hypothesis was that changes in serum PUFA concentrations are associated with improvements in skin and hair coat and that serum PUFA would provide an objective method for making dietary fatty acid supplement recommendations. Although a numerical improvement was found in hair coat quality in both groups, this improvement was not sustained beyond 28 days. The relative per cent of 18:3n-3 concentrations in serum phospholipids increased in the FLX treated dogs but these concentrations remained unchanged in the SUN treated dogs. Also, elevations in relative per cent of 18:2n-6 concentrations in serum phospholipids were seen in the FLX group. The ratio of serum polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids also showed a transient increase. These increases preceded the peak skin condition score peak value by approximately 14 days. It was concluded that a 1-month supplementation with either flax seed or sunflower seed in dogs provides temporary improvement in skin and hair coat. These changes appeared to be associated with increased serum 18 carbon PUFA.     

Blood vitamin concentrations in privately owned dogs fed non-standardized commercial diets and after intake of diets with specified vitamin concentrations

The objective was to investigate in a survey study the blood vitamin concentrations in healthy dogs fed non-specified commercial complete diets and in an intervention study to determine the effects of defined dietary vitamin intakes on blood vitamin levels and hair and skin condition. Sixty-four privately owned dogs, aged from 1 to 8 years, without history of skin or coat problems were included. All animals were fed commercial complete diets with uncertain vitamin concentrations before enrolment. The animals were assigned, according to weight and gender, to four groups with graded vitamin intakes. The blood vitamin levels and skin and coat quality of the dogs were investigated at days 0 and day 122. Coat and hair condition was not influenced by the experimental diets. The retinol concentrations were reduced at the end of the experiment compared with the baseline levels, retinyl esters were not influenced. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol decreased in all groups, alpha-tocopherol was constant or tended to decrease. Ascorbic acid, thiamine pyrophosphate and riboflavin concentrations were not affected by treatment, flavin adenine dinucleotide and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate were partially reduced on day 122. Cobalamin, pantothenate and biotin concentrations increased with higher dietary intakes, folate levels in tendency. In conclusion, this study gives a survey of blood vitamin concentrations in healthy dogs and provides a data base for the evaluation of the vitamin status in health and disease.     

Biotin in swine production: A review

Biotin, an essential water-soluble vitamin, is a cofactor of a number of enzyme systems responsible for carboxylation and transcarboxylation reactions. These reactions play a major role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and nucleic acids, in the synthesis of fatty acids, proteins and purines, and in the deamination of amino acids. In the past, it was believed that supplemental biotin was not required in swine diets because of its wide distribution in feedstuffs generally used in the formulation of swine diets, and its known synthesis by the pig's intestinal microflora. Interest in biotin nutrition for swine, however, was rekindled when several field reports in the mid-1970s described disease conditions similar to those reported for experimentally induced biotin deficiencies (poor growth in young pigs, low plasma biotin levels, alopecia and pustule formation in the skin and lesions of the hoof and sole of the toes). These conditions were reported to be responsive to biotin supplementation in many cases, but control treatments were usually not included so that definitive conclusions could not be made. Results from properly controlled research are now available, especially from long-term sow studies (three to four parities), which suggest that supplemental biotin may improve one or more of the following: poor litter size, conception rate or weaning to estrus interval, toe lesions and poor haircoat condition. Milk biotin concentration and plasma biotin concentration of sows and piglets were reported to be elevated when supplemental biotin was fed. The amount of biotin in feedstuffs varies from 20 to 2600 parts per billion (p.p.b.), but availability values have not been determined for pigs, although chick bioavailability values suggest that biotin in commonly used grain and protein sources is poorly available. Numerous environmental and nutritional factors may influence the occurrence of a biotin deficiency in swine or alter the level of biotin required in the diet to meet the animal's needs. Using presently available feedstuffs and under modern swine production conditions, a marginal biotin deficiency is possible. There are, however, many unanswered questions and a need for more research to better understand the role of biotin in swine nutrition. Swine producers experiencing poor reproductive performance in their sow herds, associated with excessive loss of hair and severe foot lesions, should evaluate the biotin content of their sow diet and consider supplemental biotin.     

A retrospective clinicopathologic study of 212 dogs with cutaneous hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas.

The relationship between skin pigmentation and piliation and the development of hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue was studied in 212 dogs. These 212 dogs had a combined total of 306 tumors; 38 of these 212 dogs had two or more of the same tumor in a different location or a combination of hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma. The average age of the dogs at the time of excision of these tumors was greater than 10 years. There was no sex predilection for the presence or absence of tumors. Cutaneous hemangiomas (73%) were more common than cutaneous hemangiosarcomas (27%). Hemangiomas had no predilection for dermis (51%) or subcutaneous tissue (47%), but hemangiosarcomas had a marked predilection for dermis (73%) over subcutaneous tissue (7%). Dogs with short hair coats and lightly pigmented skin had more hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas of the dermis (65%) than did dogs with variable length hair coats and pigmentation (28%). Dogs with short hair coats and lightly pigmented skin had fewer hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas of the subcutaneous tissue (10%) than did dogs with variable length hair coats and pigmentation (22%). Dogs with short hair coats and lightly pigmented skin also had more hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas of ventral glabrous skin (65%) than did dogs with variable length hair coats and pigmentation (22%). In addition, there was no predilection of subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma for haired (33%) versus glabrous (33%) skin, but dermal hemangiosarcoma had a marked predilection for the glabrous skin (63%) when compared with haired skin (10%). The increased incidence of dermal hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas in ventral glabrous skin suggests an association between solar radiation and the biologic properties of glabrous skin in the genesis of these tumors.     

铜水平对冬毛期乌苏里貉毛皮品质、血清生化指标及肝相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加铜对冬毛期雄性乌苏里貉毛皮品质、脏器指数、血清生化指标及相关基因表达的影响.随机选取体重相近的雄性乌苏里貉105只,采用单因子试验设计,随机分为7组,每组15个重复,每个重复1只.分别饲喂添加蛋氨酸铜为0(对照组)、30(Ⅰ组)、45(Ⅱ组)、60(Ⅲ组)、75(Ⅳ组)、90(Ⅴ组)和200 m...     

Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicine Canine Acariasis Spirit on Demodex canis

In order to screen the Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of Demodex canis, canine acariasis spirit was prepared by Foeniculum vulgare, Fructus cnidii and Bauhinia by water alcohol precipitation and distillation extraction methods. To observe the effect on Demodex canis, canine acariasis spirit was set to high, medium and low concentrations, the content of crude drug were 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g/mL, respectively. The experiment of killing Demodex canis was carried out by drop method. On this basis, 12 dogs inoculated with Demodex canis were treated. In order to verify the therapeutic effect, 45 clinically diagnosed dogs with Demodex canis were divided into three groups. The results showed that 3 doses of the traditional Chinese medicine canine acariasis spirit all had strong inhibition effect to kill mites, the high dose group could completely kill Demodex canis only 4 h after treatment, the action of 1% ivermectin control group was 8 h after treatment; 3 weeks later, a large number of new hair grew, rash and skin nodules disappeared, the skin lesion had healed in the affected area of high dose group, in 1% ivermectin treatment group, the dog skin improved, only a small amount of new hair grew, it couldn't cure standard; In the high and middle dose group, the average number of the ratio of skin scraping mites and the recurrence rate after drug withdrawal was 0 in one month later; The average number of mites proportion and recurrence rates of skin scrapings in 1% ivermectin treatment group were 10.63% and 9.17% in one month later; After 3 weeks of treatment, the total average eggs negative rate, cure rate and average cure days were 100.00%, 93.33% and 19.56 d in high dose traditional Chinese medicine canine acariasis spirit and 1% ivermectin combined treatment group, the results were better than the traditional Chinese medicine canine acariasis spirit and 1% ivermectin alone treatment group. The results showed that the effect of the high dose group self-made Chinese medicine canine acariasis spirit on killing Demodex canis in vitro, inoculation of Demodex canis and clinical therapeutic effect of natural infection cases were significantly better than 1% ivermectin control group, canine acariasis spirit as a traditional Chinese medicine preparation would have a good market development prospects.     

中药犬螨灵对犬蠕形螨的疗效试验

为筛选具有显著治疗犬蠕形螨的中药制剂,试验将中药小茴香、蛇床子、羊蹄根采用水煮醇沉及蒸馏等提取方法制备成中药制剂犬螨灵,并观察其对犬蠕形螨的疗效。将犬螨灵设为高、中、低3个浓度,其生药含量分别为2.0、1.0和0.5 g/mL,采用点滴法进行体外抑杀蠕形螨试验,在此基础上对12只接种蠕形螨的试验犬进行治疗试验,为验证治疗效果,对临床上已确诊的45只患有蠕形螨的病犬分3组进行临床治疗试验。结果显示,中药犬螨灵3种剂量均有较强的体外抑杀螨虫作用,高剂量组作用后4 h即可完全抑杀蠕形螨,1%伊维菌素对照组则为作用后8 h;高剂量组在治疗3周后,患处有大量新毛生长,红疹结节和皮屑消失,患处皮肤已痊愈,1%伊维菌素治疗组患犬皮肤好转,仅有少量新毛生长,不能达到痊愈标准;高、中剂量组皮肤刮取物螨虫数量平均比例及停药1个月后复发率均为0,1%伊维菌素治疗组皮肤刮取物螨虫数量平均比例及停药1月后的复发率分别为10.63%和9.17%。高剂量中药犬螨灵与1%伊维菌素两种药物联合治疗组,对临床上患病犬进行3周治疗,其虫卵平均转阴率、治愈率与平均治愈天数分别为100.00%、93.33%和19.56 d,其效果均优于中药犬螨灵与1%伊维菌素单独治疗组。结果表明,高剂量自制中药制剂犬螨灵对犬蠕形螨体外抑杀作用、接种蠕形螨试验犬与临床自然感染病例均有显著的治疗效果,优于1%伊维菌素对照组,犬螨灵作为中药杀螨虫制剂具有较好的市场开发前景。     

Relative sensitivity of hair pluckings and exudate microscopy for the diagnosis of canine demodicosis

This study was designed to compare the sensitivity of deep skin scraping, hair plucking, and exudate microscopy for the diagnosis of canine demodicosis. Sixty-seven dogs diagnosed with demodicosis were enrolled in the study. Thirty dogs had localized and 37 had generalized demodicosis. Twenty-seven of the 67 dogs had complicated (secondarily infected) and 40 had noncomplicated form. On each dog, a single lesion was randomly selected to obtain one deep skin scraping, hair plucking, and, when present (n = 13) exudate. For skin scraping and exudate microscopy, an area under a cover slip measuring 2.2 x 2.2 mm was examined, while trichography included the evaluation of 100 hair shafts. At least one parasitic element was found in 85.1% of trichograms, and 100% of exudate preparations. The number of parasitic elements was higher in skin scrapings compared to the other two methods. The diagnostic sensitivity of skin scrapings was higher than that of hair pluckings for the total number of samples (P = 0.002) and for those obtained from dogs with the localized (P = 0.004) and the noncomplicated (P = 0.002) forms of the disease. The diagnostic sensitivity of hair pluckings was higher in generalized and complicated demodicosis compared to the localized and noncomplicated variants. Based on these results, exudate microscopy may be equally sensitive to deep skin scrapings, and trichography may be of value in generalized and complicated demodicosis, although a negative result cannot rule it out.     

Skin surface lipids and skin and hair coat condition in dogs fed increased total fat diets containing polyunsaturated fatty acids

It is generally believed that diets containing increased amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) result in improved canine skin and hair coat (SHC). However, the extent to which dietary fat amount and type play a role remains to be systematically investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of both increased dietary fat amount and type on SHC assessments of dogs. Improvements of SHC conditions were investigated after feeding three diets containing increased total dietary fat (i.e. 13% total fat) for 12 weeks in relation to a lower fat acclimation diet (i.e. 9% total fat). The higher fat diets varied in polyunsaturated and saturated fat types and amounts but total fat was kept constant. Skin and hair coat assessments were performed at selected intervals by a trained group of veterinarians and graduate students. In addition, hair lipids were fractionated by thin layer chromatography after extraction of plucked hair samples. Significant improvements were found in hair coat glossiness and softness in all dogs fed the higher fat diets in relation to the acclimation diet. Improvements as a result of fat type were also seen but only at 12 weeks. A parallel finding was a marked increase in hair cholesteryl ester content determined at the end of the study at which time SHC scores were significantly improved. Skin and hair coat condition improvements may thus be related to increased cholesteryl ester deposited on the hair shaft surface when high fat diets are fed. Whereas this finding is preliminary, hair lipid analysis may be a useful, non-invasive technique with which to help assess dietary effects on canine SHC.