THE FATTY-ACID PROFILE OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT AND BLOOD-PLASMA IN PRURITIC DOGS AND DOGS WITHOUT SKIN PROBLEMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in subcutaneous fat and the relative a mounts of PUFAs in plasma in two groups of dogs. Group 1 included dogs with a good skin and coat condition. Group 2 was comprised of dogs wi th pruritus and compatible clinical signs of atopy. The fatty acid com position of the total lipid fraction was analyzed by gas chromatograph y, In subcutaneous fat, the concentration of adrenic acid (22:4n-6) wa s lower in the group of pruritic dogs compared to dogs with healthy sk in. The amount of dihomogammalinolenic acid (20:3n-6; DGLA) in plasma lipids from pruritic dogs was higher than in dogs without skin problem s.