Evaluation of plasma cystatin c concentration in dogs with systemic hypertension

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the incidence of systemic hypertension in dogs and to evaluate cystatin-c levels as a biomarker of early renal damage in dogs with systemic hypertension. Metarial and Methods: A total of 93 dogs of different breeds, ages and genders were included in the study. Blood pressure measurement was performed non-invasively with an oscillometric device suitable for dogs (petMAP Graphic II, Ramsey Medical, USA). According to the systolic blood pressure limit value, dogs were normotensive and systemic hypertension; were evaluated in subgroups as normotensive, prehypertensive, hypertensive and severe hypertensive according to the risk of target organ damage. Plasma cystatin C concentration was measured by ELISA method. Results: Of the 93 dogs included in the study, 57 (61%) were defined as having systemic hypertension. According to the risk of target organ damage, 19% were determined as prehypertensive, 23% as hypertensive and 19% as severe hypertensive. Plasma cystatin C concentration was higher in dogs with systemic hypertension than in normotensive dogs (p<0,01). In target organ damage risk classification, it was found higher in prehypertensive (p<0,05) and severely hypertensive (p<0,001) groups compared to normotensive group. Conclusion: It can be argued that systemic hypertension and the risk of hypertension-related organ damage may be quite common in dog populations, cystatin C levels may be elevated in dogs with systemic hypertension, and this may be due to hypertension-related target organ damage. However, this information needs to be improved with more cases and studies examining kidney function in more detail. Keywords: Dog, cystatin C, hypertension