Serum zinc, chromium, and iron concentrations in dogs with lymphoma and osteosarcoma

We compared serum concentrations of zinc, chromium, and iron in dogs with c ancer to those of normal dogs. Dogs with lymphoma (n = 50) and osteosarcoma (n = 52) were evaluated. Dogs with lymphoma had significantly lower (P = . 0028) mean serum zinc concentrations (mean +/- SD; 1.0 +/- 0.3 mg/L) when c ompared to normal dogs (1.2 +/- 0.4 mg/L). Dogs with osteosarcoma also had lower mean serum zinc concentrations (1.1 +/- 0.4 mg/L), but this differenc e was not significant (P = .075). Serum chromium concentrations were signif icantly lower in dogs with lymphoma (2.6 +/- 2.6 mug/L, P = .0007) and oste osarcoma (2.4 +/- 3.1 mug/L, P = .0001) compared to normal dogs (4.7 +/- 2. 8 mug/L). Serum iron concentrations and total iron-binding capacity were si gnificantly lower in dogs with lymphoma (110.8 +/- 56.7 mug/dL, P < .0001, and 236.6 +/- 45.6 mug/dL, P < .0001, respectively) and osteosarcoma (99.6 +/- 49.3 pg/dL, P < .0001, and 245.0 +/- 43.8 mug/dL, P = .0011, respective ly) when compared to normal dogs (175.1 +/- 56.7 mug/dL and 277.1 +/- 47.4 mug/dL). Mean ferritin concentration was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma (1291.7 +/- 63.0 mug/L) than in normal dogs (805.8 +/- 291.1 mug/L , P < .0001) and dogs with osteosarcoma (826.5 +/- 309.2 mug/L, P < .0001). Further investigation is needed to explore the clinical significance of th ese mineral abnormalities in dogs with cancer.