[Serum cholesterol in the dog]

The reference values of cholesterol were examined in two groups of healthy dogs. In a group of 591 dogs a value of 122-389 mg/dl or 3.2-10.1 mmol/l was calculated (95% percentile). Statistically significant variations occurred with age, sex, breed, and feeding; however they were small and do not require consideration in diagnostic procedures. Serum cholesterol is increased in numerous diseases. It is questionable whether the consideration of serum cholesterol helped in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.