Immunological determination of faecal haemoglobin concentrations in dogs

Faecal haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in apparently healthy experimental Beagle dogs and in dogs of various breeds kept in private households or at breeders were measured by reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in an effort to define the physiological concentrations of faecal Hb in the dog. In 88% (53) of 60 experimental Beagle dogs (30 males and 30 females), the RPLA titres were 1:2 and 1:8 and the faecal Hb concentrations ranged from 40.0 to 431.5 (mean 184.1 +/- 92.6) micrograms/g faeces by ELISA. No significant difference was found in Hb levels or RPLA titres between males and females. Seven dogs (12%) had significantly greater RPLA titres and Hb concentrations by ELISA than the remaining dogs. In 84% (45) of the 53 dogs kept in private households or at breeders, the RPLA titres were < 1:1 to 1:8 and the faecal Hb concentrations ranged from 7.1 to 456.7 (mean 137.5 +/- 128.7) micrograms/g faeces in ELISA. Eight of these dogs (15.1% of 53 dogs) had significantly greater RPLA titres and Hb concentrations by ELISA than the remaining dogs. There were no significant differences between the Beagles and dogs kept in private households or at breeders. In conclusion, in 98 (86.7% of 113) dogs the physiological concentrations of RPLA titres were < 1:1 to 1:8 and the faecal Hb concentrations were 143.5-185.1 micrograms/g (95% confidence level). Approximately 13.3% of apparently healthy dogs had higher faecal Hb concentrations, suggesting the presence of subclinical haemorrhages. Four dogs suffering from colorectal cancer also had high faecal Hb concentrations.