Trace minerals status and antioxidative enzyme activity in dogs with generalized demodecosis

The present study was aimed to determine the levels of trace elements zinc, copper, iron, erythrocyte oxidant/anti-oxidant balance, vitamin C and β-carotene in dogs with generalized demodecosis. A total of 24 dogs with clinically established diagnosis of generalized demodecosis and 6 dogs as control were included in the study. In comparison to healthy control, zinc and copper levels were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in dogs with generalized demodecosis, whereas iron levels were significantly (P < 0.01) higher. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in diseased dogs whereas activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were significantly (P < 0.01) lower. β-carotene and vitamin C levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in diseased dogs when compared to healthy control. SOD activity was positively correlated with zinc (rs = 0.65, rs = 0.71 and P < 0.05) and copper (rs = 0.51, rs = 0.63 and P < 0.05) in both healthy and diseased dogs. MDA levels were negatively correlated with iron (rs = −0.49, rs = −0.78 and P < 0.05), β-carotene (rs = −0.26, P > 0.05; rs = −0.54, P < 0.05, respectively) in both healthy and diseased dogs and with SOD activity in diseased dogs only (rs = −0.68, P < 0.05). From the present study, it was concluded that generalized demodecosis in dogs is associated with significant alteration in trace elements and oxidant/anti-oxidant imbalance and this imbalance might be secondary to changes caused by demodectic mange.