Dr. Aziz ZarinaRADHIKA R2024-09-242024-09-242023-03-23https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810214853Dogs in their early growth phase are more susceptible to nutritional deficiency diseases. The bone health is monitored by both water-soluble and fat- soluble vitamins, along with calcium and phosphorus. Fast growing dogs with unbalanced diets are at higher risk of developing skeletal abnormalities due to increased metabolic activity and lower levels of serum vitamins and minerals. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the vitamin and mineral status in chronic skeletal disorders in dogs. In this study, 30 large breed dogs below 18 months with chronic skeletal disorders presented to the University Veterinary Hospitals at Mannuthy and Kokkala under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University were selected and ten apparently healthy dogs brought to the hospital for routine health-check up without any symptoms of skeletal deformities served as control. Blood was collected from these animals to analyse serum biochemical parameters. The serum concentrations of water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and vitamin C) and cholecalciferol were analysed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The serum calcium and magnesium were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and phosphorus were estimated by fully automated biochemical analyzer. The levels of serum homocysteine were determined spectrophotometrically by enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of serum vitamin B2, B6, B12, C and D3 were significantly (p<0.01) lower in dogs with chronic skeletal disorders compared to control dogs. However, serum vitamin B1 and B3 did not differ significantly in dogs with chronic skeletal disorders and control dogs. The serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were significantly (p<0.05) lower in affected dogs compared to control dogs. A significant (p<0.01) increase in serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and homocysteine levels were observed in dogs affected with chronic bone abnormalities compared to normal. The results of this study indicated that decreased levels of serum vitamins (B2, B6, B12, C and D3), minerals (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) and increased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and homocysteine contributed to development of chronic skeletal disorders in growing dogs.EnglishThesis