The effect of feeding on serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, trypsin-like immunoreactivity, and pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in dogs with signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease.

BACKGROUND

It is unknown if serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI), and canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) obtained postprandially are equivalent to measurements obtained after withholding food in dogs with suspected gastrointestinal disease.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Measurements of serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, cPLI, and cTLI postprandially will be equivalent to measurements after 12 hours of withholding food in dogs with signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease. Changes observed will not alter clinical interpretation.

ANIMALS

51 client-owned dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease.

METHODS

Prospective single arm clinical trial. Serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, cPLI and cTLI 2, 4, and 8 hours postprandially were compared by equivalence testing to values after withholding food for 12 hours (baseline).

RESULTS

Mean serum cobalamin concentrations 2 hours (498.1 ± 213.1 ng/L; P = 0.024) and 4 hours (501.9 ± 207.4 ng/L; P = 0.008) postprandial were equivalent to baseline (517.3 ± 211.5 ng/L). Mean serum cTLI 2 hours (31.3 ± 14 μg/L; P < 0.001) and 4 hours (29.6 ± 13.1 μg/L; P = 0.027) postprandial were equivalent to baseline (31.1 ± 15 μg/L). Mean serum folate concentration 2 hours postprandial (15 ± 7.7 μg/L) was equivalent to baseline (13.7 ± 8.3 μg/L; P < 0.001). Equivalence could not be assessed for cPLI due to results below the lower limit of quantification. Feeding altered the clinical interpretation in 27% (cobalamin), 35% (folate), 20% (cTLI), and 12% (cPLI) of dogs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The clinical interpretation for a substantial number of samples changed after feeding, therefore withholding food before sample collection is prudent.