Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXX, Issue 1
Written by Emanuela BADEA, Gheorghe Valentin GORAN, Cristina ȚOCA, Miruna Cârlan
The link between heavy metals and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats is an area of growing concern among researchers and veterinarians. The present study assessed the concentrations of some heavy metals and trace elements in cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma, by hair sample analysis, and compared them with the elements’ concentrations in clinically healthy cats. Hair samples were collected from clinically healthy cats (n = 10) and cats suffering from gastrointestinal lymphoma (n = 10). The samples underwent wet mineralization (with HNO3 and HCl), with heavy metals and trace elements being evaluated by ICP-MS analysis. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Heavy metals and trace elements were generally higher in cats with GI lymphoma. The median concentrations of Cr, As, and Se in cats with GI lymphoma were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to clinically healthy cats. Although this research found significantly higher concentrations of Cr in cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma, available studies present either no or weak evidence indicating that Cr can lead to GI lymphoma. Further research is needed to better understand the causes of this type of neoplasm in cats.
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