Assessment of Heavy Metal and Mineral Levels in Hair Samples from Dogs with Mammary Neoplasms

Abstract

Neoplasms involve abnormal tissue growths developing in an uncoordinated, persistent manner, faster than adjacent normal tissues. Several researchers have studied the possible implications of heavy metals and mineral levels on human mammary neoplasms using hair analysis. The study’s objective was to assess the levels of heavy metals and other mineral elements in dogs suffering from mammary neoplasms. Hair samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). All analyzed elements registered higher levels in clinically healthy dogs. The interaction between health status and keeping conditions significantly influenced the levels of Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Ni, Co, Pb, and V. Concurrently, dogs with mammary neoplasms living outdoors registered the highest levels for most minerals, compared to dogs with mammary neoplasms living indoors, suggesting a possible implication of pollution.